Rangers 2016

[AnthonyS]

Since the Cowboys season is over unless Romo and Dez suddenly get really healthy really fast, it's not too early to start planning for baseball.

I'm hoping to see more of Gallo, that Yu makes 30 plus starts, and that Gallardo and Moreland are still on the roster too. I'd like to see what sort of outfielder we can develop for LF long term, maybe Stubbs?

[mustang_marc]

Mike Maddux fired. I liked him as a pitching coach. I wonder what our pitching philosophy will be next year...

[BP]

Mike Maddux fired. I liked him as a pitching coach. I wonder what our pitching philosophy will be next year...

He was offered a contract and refused, that's not exactly the same thing as being fired. We were fortunate to get him back last season since teams have been recruiting him as a manager. He and his brother are going to be missed.

In other news we'll be bidding on a Korean named Ho Park next week. Dude had a 1.15 OPS last season with 53 homeruns! Granted those were off of Korean pitchers in their much smaller parks. I'd imagine he's why we haven't inked a deal with Napoli yet.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=park--000byu&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-

[AnthonyS]

Losing Maddux is a pretty big deal.

We don't need any Ho Parks especially if they are anything like Chan Ho Park was for the Rangers. He killed the team with a big contract and poor performance.

[BP]

Losing Maddux is a pretty big deal.

We don't need any Ho Parks especially if they are anything like Chan Ho Park was for the Rangers. He killed the team with a big contract and poor performance.

You could argue that he saved us money though. If we didn't have that sting we might have bid more on Barry Zito, Hamilton, Matthews Jr, Lee or Sabathia. We were in on the bidding for most of them initially.

Can you imaging paying Cliff Lee $63 million for the last three seasons? He had 4 wins in 2014 and his career is probably over. Or Sabathia who has sucked since 2013 but made $23 million every season and $25 next year, possibly in 2017 if he doesn't hit the DL. $142 million dollars for a 4.50 ERA over 5 seasons. At least he can still eat up some innings but so can a AAA pitcher at the league minimum.

[mustang_marc]

He was offered a contract and refused, that's not exactly the same thing as being fired.

I was just relaying news as it was presented. It says he was fired, per JD.

http://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/867098

[AnthonyS]

You could argue that he saved us money though. If we didn't have that sting we might have bid more on Barry Zito, Hamilton, Matthews Jr, Lee or Sabathia. We were in on the bidding for most of them initially.

Can you imaging paying Cliff Lee $63 million for the last three seasons? He had 4 wins in 2014 and his career is probably over. Or Sabathia who has sucked since 2013 but made $23 million every season and $25 next year, possibly in 2017 if he doesn't hit the DL. $142 million dollars for a 4.50 ERA over 5 seasons. At least he can still eat up some innings but so can a AAA pitcher at the league minimum.

This is why the Rangers need Gallardo and more pitchers like him. A starter that makes all of his starts and gives you a chance to win is an amazing pitcher to have around. Sure he isn't flashy, doesn't get lots of strikeouts and his stats aren't the best but every day he pitches you've got a shot at winning. It seems Hamels might be similar and a bit better. Now we need a few more like them.

[SC457A]

Losing Maddux I think is bad. May have not had the greatest pitching in the MLB, but I thought he did a nice job for the talent there.

The hand on the shoulder thing would have bugged me, not much of a touch kinda person.

[BP]

Speaking of Cliff Lee, the Phillies just paid their option for 2016 so he's probably going to retire.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/11/03/phillies-pay-12-5-million-buyout-to-cliff-lee/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs&ref=yfp

He'd make for a decent pitching coach!

[BP]

And Cliff Lee wants to pitch in 2016. He's a free agent now and would be relatively cheap.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25399671/cliff-lee-wants-to-pitch-in-2016

The Rangers have also released their spring training schedule. They play the Royals in San Antonio for MLB weekend on 3/18 and 3/19.

[BP]

Napoli just signed a one year deal with Cleveland for $7 million plus up to an additional $3 million in bonuses. So we officially need a big right handed bat again, I don't see Justin Ruggiano filling those shoes.

[pHILSANITY07]

I read about a week ago that the Rangers are observing the situation around Cespedes.

[BP]

I read about a week ago that the Rangers are observing the situation around Cespedes.

It's no secret we want a big right handed bat and I'd imagine JD would much rather get Upton but he's trying to get the price knocked down.

It's no coincidence that Michael Young's comments about Mazara are all over the sport sites today. We don't really need a long term right hand solution since he's the next big thing!

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/01/05/michael-young-stoked-rangers-prospect-can-flat-hit

They are also looking at Alex Gordon but he's not worth what he made last year.

[pHILSANITY07]

Gordon resigned with the Royals.

Rangers are in talks with RF Justin Upton. Former NL MVP. Talks say a one year deal because of the budget of a long term deal.

Rangers are also in talks with Miami for OF Marcell Ozuna for Chi Chi Gonzalez and another player. Fielding Percentage of .98 or better since 2013. Hit 23HR's in 2014. So far in his career has a .260 BA and a .310 OBP.

[BP]

The Cobra is back on a 1 year deal for $6 million.

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/01/18/rangers-finalize-6-million-deal-with-colby-lewis/?ocid=Yahoo&partner=ya5nbcs