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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:97
Level:Superstar
Since:Jun 26, 2007
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Tell you the truth I would be happy if the Texas Rangers placed somewhere other then dead last in our division... .500 would be nice but that could still be good for last place in our division with the Okland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and the Angels of whatever the He!! the call theselves now... I love the Rangers, and have been a fan all my life, but it gets harder and harder every year the older I get and the wiser I become to stick with them year after year... They have been bad for so long I can't even remember if they where ever good at one time... All that comes to mind is the express, Nolan Ryan... Even then I think we made the playoffs maybe once or twice only to have to go against the Evil Empire of the Yankees... I wish for good things in 2008 for the Rangers but I don't put too much faith in em... GO POWER RANGERS!!!!!!!
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 15, 2007
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This year will be a huge dissapointment if they finish last again. The biggest reason for that is that the As have pretty much traded themselves into the basement. With the huge losses to their team the Rangers should be a better team. The only way I see them finishing behind the As is if the young players such as Kinsler, Saltalamacchia, Hamilton, Wilson, Gabbard and McCarthy do not show any improvement or further development. If that happens with those guys I think there are much bigger problems then just the fact that they finish last again.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Dec 14, 2007
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The only way I see them finishing behind the As is if the young players such as Kinsler, Saltalamacchia, Hamilton, Wilson, Gabbard and McCarthy do not show any improvement or further development. If that happens with those guys I think there are much bigger problems then just the fact that they finish last again.
Mr ADTel,
That would be a huge problem. I don't even want to think about that happening. I can see the pitchers possibly tanking but the young hitters? UGLY!!!
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Oct 25, 2007
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Alot of made of the hitting last year. Washington is all about generating runs and OBP. The team wasn't geared that way before and it took some getting use to by the guys. Some didn't. (Tex). I think with a 2nd Spring Training under his belt as skipper, he'll get his plan across to the team before we get the season started. Kinsler should really have one of his best seasons, this type of plan is right for him. I more concerned about Salty. Is he going to get a full season a catcher or some more of last year; 1B and Catcher. I just want some consistant play. Gabbard doesn't need to do nothing than keep us in the game and get out 6 to7 innings. McCarthy needs to stay healthy. We'll be fine. 2008 will be gravey, icing on the cake if we can finish 2nd. I'm looking forward to 2009. Going to try and enjoy this year like a father watching his child take his first steps, with hopes of having a prodigy.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:82
Level:All-Star
Since:Nov 26, 2007
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The A's are down and the Rangers can hang with Seattle Id say around 90-85 games with the opportunity to do better based on a few factors we will se a lot of improvement I like the way the Rangers are going.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 15, 2007
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I dont think they have much chance at hanging with the Mariners. Also keep in mind Seattle is very close to a trade for Erik Bedard.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:May 13, 2007
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I'd be happy with 81-90 wins. I agree that being in the hunt at the trade deadline would be bad. With out minor league system ranked 4th a year or so more of building could yield great resuts in 2010 or 2011.
The only starting pitcher I would sign would be Jason Jennings, but I dont see that happening. I think they will go with what they have and try Gabbard, Loe, Rheinecker and Tejada in the 4 or 5 spot.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 15, 2007
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Im pretty sure the deal with Jennings is done and will be announced after he passes a physical.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:May 13, 2007
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Good call ATD!!!
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:May 13, 2007
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If you just look at the players that left versus the players that are being brought in you have to think this team will be better than it was last year.
Lost:
Freddy Guzman
Danny Herrera
Guliermo Quiroz
Edison Volquez
Acquired:
Jason Jennings
Josh Hamilton
Chris Shelton
Eddie Guardaro
Kazuro Fukumori
Milton Bradley
Edguardo Alfanzo
Ben Brussard
Looks like they are much more talented. Of course this dosent take into acct the guys who are still unsigned like Sammy Sosa, Brad Wilkerson, Otuska and Jerry Hairston, but even if you add those guys to the list of people they lost its still looks like this teams should be a little bit better than they were last year.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Level:Amateur
Since:Oct 29, 2006
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This message has been removed by the administrator.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 15, 2007
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Just remember this prediction comes from a Rangers fan...
65 wins this year...
We have NO REAL #1 or #2 starters... No explanation necessary.
We have NO established closer... I like Wilson, but he is just a set up man not a closer.
We have NO real #3 or #4 hitter...
We have NO coach... come on, dont tell me watch out for him in his 2nd year. He is trying to establish A's baseball in the Texas Heat. He has to go...
We have No real GM... otherwise he would have gone after some real pitching help, not scraps that no one else wants.
And finally we have NO owner that cares about winning... Just about how much cash he has in his pocket. Once again the prices of tickets have gone UP and the payroll has gone down? Keep selling that snake oil Mr. Hicks...
I REALLY WISH THIS WAS NOT TRUE... but reality sucks... Another Hot boring summer to look forward to.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Jan 15, 2007
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I agree with everything you said except the GM part. I like what Daniels has done so far. There have been some bad trades that I think he made because he felt pressure to make some moves and he simply rushed it and made bad ones. The Gagne and Teixeira deals were great moves and added to our recent draft picks Daniels has managed to bring the farm system from being ranked in the bottom 5 to the top 5. I feel like a talking parrot the way Ive been repeating this next thing the past few months but here we go again anyway. What pitching should he have gone after. Name me the best free agent pitcher this off-season. In case you cant figure it out I'll help out. Kenny Rogers and Carlos Silva were probably the top 2. They even actually tried to sign Kenny. Does anyone out there actually think Carlos Silva would have helped this team. So maybe you say they should have gotten into the talks for Santana or Bedard. First problem is that they would basically have to destroy the farm system they had just built back up in order to make either trade. Second, in Johans case he had a no trade clause and he wasnt going to agree to come to Texas. And in Bedards case its unlikely he would sign an extension so he would be here for this year only. Why would they destroy what they have done in order to have a " ace " for a year. Bedard hasnt even done enough for me to truly consider him an ace yet either. As it stands now they can keep their prospects and HOPE that C.C. Sabathia and Bedard reach free-agency after this season. It looks like the Indians arent going to trade CC but that they wont be able to re-sign him either. Theres your #1 starter for next year. In my mind they have to have him though. It will mean overpaying but they dont have a choice.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:98
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 15, 2007
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Well their were not many free agents available, but there were several trades to be made.
Where were they on this Santana deal. The best pitcher in MLB comes available and they dont persue it a little better. And how about Bedard? Heck... Mark Prior was available this off season for a 1 year deal.
And last year what happened in the Josh Beckett deal? Once again the excuses fly.
Also heres a great idea... Lets trade the only proven starter we had (Chris Young) for NOTHING and we'll tell everyone in baseball that Diamond, Danks, and Volquez... DVD... are untouchable. Ohhh wait Danks and Volquez are gone now and Diamond is a spare.
Come on now.... There was not a superstar free agent available... True, but prospects are just what they say... prospects. If you can get a "PROVEN" commodity for some prospects to upgrade this club you have to do it.
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Rangers Projections in 2008
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 29, 2006
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Yes, there were trades available.
Adding a front line starter would be great. And this team has enough talent to do that.
Poblem is what if the other team wants major league ready postional players AND pitching prospects.
If the Rangers are wanting to stay competitive, they can't trade Kinsler.
That leaves you Laird (bad offensive 07), Duran, Arias (injury recovery), Cruz (virtual bust), Botts (unproven and likely a DH candiddate), Salty (1st or C) and a mix of others who are at least a year away or are not 'top'prospects.
Prior? OK, sure sign him to a 1 year deal for about what we paid for Jennings.
Now with the Rangers luck, his arm will finally fall off.
Prior has a snott load of potential to be an ace. But he has the worst injury history of any player we've see and how many times have the Rangers been burned by that?
Note: The Beckett deal was winter 05-06, not last year. Marlins rejected a trade of Blaylock and Diamond or Danks for Lowell and Beckett. Marlins wanted more and got it from the Red Sox. And based on that trade, wouldn't you have done that deal too?
Yes, the Young deal was very very dumb. All that happened was Otsuka saved the bullpen in 06. After that, every Rangers fan is more than aware of how freaking dumb that trade is. And that deal will haunt JD's managment carreer.
Moving on.
Volquez is likely a backend starter (#4-5)
Danks might be a #3 or better. McCarthy is about the same.
Now for this team to upgrade:
2nd Base and Shortstop are set.
A healthy Blaylock gives you either 3rd, 1st, or FT DH.
Cat is fin as a #2 hitter in OF/DH.
And Salty/Laird at C is fine.
Now we need:
3 real proven bats in line-up. And I am talking .280+ hitters with power and high OBP.
Front Line Ace (must be healthy)
Another #3 Starter (must be healthy)
Proven closer or 8th inning pitcher.
The last one was ont the markets.
A #3 starter .... Silva, Rogers and a few others might classify as that.
The hitters and ace were really only available via trade.
To get THAT much would have TOTALLY destroyed the Rangers farm system leaving no on to come up in the event of an injury.
Time to keep looking forward.
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