Rangers 2013 !!

[mightyp]

Good thing we have Soto.

Soto is adequate...not great by any means, but he won't kill us back there.

[Nash B.]

Soto is adequate...not great by any means, but he won't kill us back there.

Yeah, he's a step up over Pierzynski defensively.

[Chili]

Just based on these posts, they seem to be making a lot more changes than I would have expected?

[Lone Sailor]

Rangers 2013 !!

Just based on these posts, they seem to be making a lot more changes than I would have expected?

I honestly don't blame them one bit. Something has to give. They missed the playoffs the last 2 years in a row after having 2 great seasons until the last 2-3 weeks before seasons end. You can't implode 2 straight years and not expect big changes.

[Nash B.]

Just based on these posts, they seem to be making a lot more changes than I would have expected?

They've only made a handful of changes on top of re-signing a number of guys they already had. I liked the Fielder/Kinsler trade. I'm not a fan of the Gentry trade, but I always liked Gentry over Martin.

[Chili]

I honestly don't blame them one bit. Something has to give. They missed the playoffs the last 2 years in a row after having 2 great seasons until the last 2-3 weeks before seasons end. You can't implode 2 straight years and not expect big changes.

I definitely get that. Far too many "near misses" to not change things up.

They've only made a handful of changes on top of re-signing a number of guys they already had. I liked the Fielder/Kinsler trade. I'm not a fan of the Gentry trade, but I always liked Gentry over Martin.

It's just going to be weird to see Kinsler with the Tigers. After so many years, I guess I kind of expected him to stay with the Ranger for his full career.

[Lone Sailor]

Yeah, he's a step up over Pierzynski defensively.

Offensively I felt Soto was more consistent. AJ was about like Kinsler, never know if you're going to get a mile high popup to deep infield, strikeout, or the occasional long ball.

[Slowhand]

They've only made a handful of changes on top of re-signing a number of guys they already had. I liked the Fielder/Kinsler trade. I'm not a fan of the Gentry trade, but I always liked Gentry over Martin.

Choice is a 6-years younger Gentry that can hit for power. I don't see a lot not to like, especially given that he's under club control for 6 seasons.

[Slowhand]

they must be about to sign someone else to play outfield...Beltran? Cruz? cant believe they would let Gentry go with who we currently have. Think they let Nathan go with the combination of cost and in house replacements. Honestly figured they would resign Pierzynski for another one year deal,if he wanted to stay.

Per JD: Engel Beltre, Choice, and Adduci will compete for the third outfielder spot. According to most sources Choice is MLB-ready.

[Chili]

Per JD: Engel Beltre, Choice, and Adduci will compete for the third outfielder spot. According to most sources Choice is MLB-ready.

I figured they would bring someone young up from the farm teams, wait until they are experienced and doing well, then trade them off.

Sometimes I feel like the Rangers are just a minor league prep team for the rest of the MLB. Of course, that's just my uneducated opinion.

[SC457A]

I have mixed feelings about trading Gentry. I liked him as a player. Was never going to hit 40 Hr's, but was fun to watch on base. I sure hope Choice is better than Kittenface in the end.

Losing Ian and Gentry sure did make the baserunning slower.

[mustang_marc]

Losing Ian and Gentry sure did make the baserunning slower.

Losing Kinsler made our baserunning better. How many times did he run into an out this year on the base paths?

[Slowhand]

I figured they would bring someone young up from the farm teams, wait until they are experienced and doing well, then trade them off.

Sometimes I feel like the Rangers are just a minor league prep team for the rest of the MLB. Of course, that's just my uneducated opinion.

They had the best farm system in baseball and still rank very highly as it sits. Your minor league talent is as much there to deal as it is to bring up. The fact that it appears that way is a testament to the job they're doing, because their best prospects are still with them.

Besides, the Gentry trade is the exact opposite; they took a good but aging player and exchanged him for a similar caliber prospect that's 6 years younger with more upside.

[Slowhand]

Losing Kinsler made our baserunning better. How many times did he run into an out this year on the base paths?

Mustang_Marc and I agree on something!

Seriously, losing Kinsler improved our baserunning immediately, even with taking on Fielder. Trading some basestealing prowess giving up Gentry for Choice, but Choice should be competent.

[Nash B.]

It's just going to be weird to see Kinsler with the Tigers. After so many years, I guess I kind of expected him to stay with the Ranger for his full career.

Like Michael Young? Oh, wait! Kinsler seemed like a likable guy but I didn't like him much as a player.

Choice is a 6-years younger Gentry that can hit for power. I don't see a lot not to like, especially given that he's under club control for 6 seasons.

I just liked watching Gentry on the bases and in the outfield, and I know nothing about Choice. I'm not saying it's a bad move at all, I'm just sad to see him go.

Sometimes I feel like the Rangers are just a minor league prep team for the rest of the MLB. Of course, that's just my uneducated opinion.

They used to be but aren't any more.

Seriously, losing Kinsler improved our baserunning immediately, even with taking on Fielder.

I propose a new statistic that takes into account OBP minus outs on the bases (caught stealing or trying to take an extra base). Kinsler would probably be around .200 adjusted.