Really hope the Astros pull it out. They have the pitching and big bats to match the Jays.

Rangers have some decisions to make on Lewis and Gallardo. If not it could be another down April. They basically have three LH starters.

This is more appropriate over here... Take your pick of Free agents in the off season, if you want someone else then you will have to make a trade... I'm not sure about this list cause it doesn't have Colby on it...

Starting Pitchers and their ages...

Brett Anderson (28)

Scott Baker (34)

Brandon Beachy (29)

Chad Billingsley (31)

Joe Blanton (35)

Clay Buchholz (31) – $13MM club option with a $245K buyout

Mark Buehrle (37)

A.J. Burnett (39)

Trevor Cahill (28)

Chris Capuano (37)

Wei-Yin Chen (30)

Bartolo Colon (43)

Johnny Cueto (30)

R.A. Dickey (41) – $12MM club option with a $1MM buyout

Marco Estrada (32)

Doug Fister (32)

Gavin Floyd (33)

Yovani Gallardo (30)

Jaime Garcia (29) – $11.5MM club option with a $500K buyout

Dillon Gee (30)

Zack Greinke (32) – can opt out of remaining three years/$71MM

Jeremy Guthrie (37) – $10MM mutual option with a $3.2MM buyout

J.A. Happ (33)

Aaron Harang (38)

Dan Haren (35)

Rich Hill (36)

Tim Hudson (40)

Hisashi Iwakuma (35)

Scott Kazmir (32)

Kyle Kendrick (31)

Ian Kennedy (31)

John Lackey (37)

Mat Latos (28)

Mike Leake (28)

Cliff Lee (37) – $27.5MM club option with a $12.5MM buyout

Tim Lincecum (32)

Kyle Lohse (37)

Shaun Marcum (34)

Justin Masterson (31)

Brandon Morrow (31)

Hector Noesi (29)

Sean O’Sullivan (28)

Bud Norris (31)

Mike Pelfrey (32)

David Price (30)

Jeff Samardzija (31)

Alfredo Simon (35)

Ryan Vogelsong (38)

Jerome Williams (34)

Chris Young (37)

Jordan Zimmermann (30)

So we have starting in April:

Hamels, Perez, Holland.

If Gallardo does not sign (he likes being home) and Lewis gone, our rotation is then rounded out by Gonzalez and Martinez.

If Gallardo or Lewis signs (think Colby bolts or retires) then we have 4 with either Gonzalez or Martinez.

So a 5 man rotation.

To get to your 6 man rotation I believe we need another veteran arm. Either a Cueto or Masterson. When Yu comes back we keep the best of the RH pitchers for the remainder of the season.

Coaches Magadan, Hawkins will not return

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/154685690/dave-magadan-andy-hawkins-wont- coach-texas

Time to talk Rudy out of retirement to straighten out the bats...

I can see JD looking hard at Cueto or Masterson.

The first one will probably be too expensive to sign (he already makes 10M per year and will probably be looking for 20M) the other one has close to a career 5.00 ERA...

To sign Cueto you will have to get rid of salary somewhere else on the payroll. I can think of a player you could trade to free up salary for a bunch of prospects and a bag of used pucks!!! I'm pretty sure you know who I'm referring to...

Now if they decide not to bring Gallardo back then you just freed up at least 13M or close to 16M depending on how you look at it...

Colby and Gallardo FAs this off season.

Gallardo gets a qualifying offer. If he's smart he will take it.

Same with Colby.

Qualifying offers this year will be almost $16 million, not sure either one is worth that much especially when they've been paying Colby around 4-5 million...

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25333950/qualifying-offer-set-at- 158-million-which-free-agents-will-get-one

Wondering where Maddux fits in? Banny will no doubt have a heavy hand in who gets hired to replace Mag and Hawkins.

Maybe Mike's brother should take over pitching coach.

I can think of a player you could trade to free up salary for a bunch of prospects and a bag of used pucks!!! I'm pretty sure you know who I'm referring to...

Man don't make me laugh that hard. Still have 5 sets of stitches:)

Yeah there is only one organization inept enough to pick up the Evis contract. I'm pretty sure you know which organization that is? Starts with an A and ends with an S.

Then again, we owe Boston a PTBNL for Napoli. Wonder if we could offload Evis there and promise to pay half. Evan Grant already said no one wants Elvis and his toxic contract. If he was playing like Correra maybe. But not even close.

I saw the article at the DFW site that the Rangers will try to part ways with L. Martin. He is eligible for arbitration and don't see meeting him half way. How you dump an arbitration player I don't remember.

Another question that needs to be answered is what to do about Napoli, he's a FA, and some would like to keep him but what do you do with him??

I think it was Sherrington who suggested Morelands stock is high. Time to trade him for a power RH bat. If that goes through they make a deal with Nap to switch with Fielder at 1B and DH.

Then what do you do with Hammy? Is he at the point of being a platoon OFer?

I think DD has the full time CF job. So many games were won when he got on base early in the game.

So two starting pitchers needed and we have a hole of no power RH OF bat. What's Cruz up to?:)

Colby Lewis pitched second half of season for Texas Rangers on bad knee

Yeah there is only one organization inept enough to pick up the Evis contract. I'm pretty sure you know which organization that is? Starts with an A and ends with an S.

I'm not so sure that is the case anymore they have a new GM in Billy Epler and looks like he's already making some changes, Baylor and Butcher are gone...

Besides that they already have a SS that is better than EVIS and at 1/2 the price so doubt you will find a dance partner here, especially with what they are paying Hammy to play elsewhere...

What's Cruz up to?:)

On a 4 yr 57M contract with Seattle...

He is eligible for arbitration and don't see meeting him half way. How you dump an arbitration player I don't remember.

Just non-tender him and release him...

You can do the same thing with EVIS just release him...

I think it was Sherrington who suggested Morelands stock is high. Time to trade him for a power RH bat. If that goes through they make a deal with Nap to switch with Fielder at 1B and DH.

Can't get DMN website to load this morning for some reason so can't check.

I know I brought up that possibility about 2 or 3 mos ago trading him for a good defensively RHed OF that can drive in some runs... And depending on what position he plays what do you do with DD (who needs late inning Defensive replacement) and Hammy??? If it were me I would go after a CFer move DD to LF and bring Hammy in to play 1st and platoon with Napoli (that's if they decide to keep him)...

Then the next issue is who do they keep as backup OFers Stubbs or Martin, as of this moment Martin is cheaper or some of the younguns and none of them can really hit... BTA that was a big theme this year not many people could hit the ball and the reason Mags is gone. Depending on who they get as a hitting coach and can do over the winter may determine who stays and who goes...

Man don't make me laugh that hard. Still have 5 sets of stitches:)

Why not, keeping you in a good frame of mind will get you up off your butt sooner... :)

Then again, we owe Boston a PTBNL for Napoli. Wonder if we could offload Evis there and promise to pay half.

Don't think that will happen either they have Bogaerts as their SS and he drove in 81 runs...

You are gonna have to find someone who is in desperate need of a SS that has aspirations of the playoffs next year to make a trade. Which I don't think is going to happen I have a sneaking suspicion we're stuck with him or will just have to release him outright. (That's if Alberto or Profar shows he can handle playing everyday)... I would imagine both of them will be playing Fall and maybe Winter ball although I suspect they won't want Profar to throw very much if at all so you're looking at 1B or DH for him...

Hey there...

What are friends for... :)

I saw the article at the DFW site that the Rangers will try to part ways with L. Martin.

You might want to add Rua to the list of departing players... Guess he decided not to go play Fall ball kinda like Martin refused to go to Arizona to stay in shape in case he was needed...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151014-jeff-banister-rangers-culture-needs-work-after-decisions-by-leonys-martin-ryan-rua.ece

Banny will no doubt have a heavy hand in who gets hired to replace Mag

Here is an excerpt I read that should shine a little light on the subject- "In one memorable moment in early May, before Odor's demotion, Banister tried to work one-on-one with Odor on his approach, an indication that perhaps the manager had different ideas than the hitting instructor."

Some names mentioned so far to fill the hitting instructors position, Justin Mashore, (Rangers AAA hitting instructor) Jason Giambi, (who worked with Joey in the off season) Ivan Rodriguez (can't seem to remember this guy refresh my memory) /s :) and Michael Young (doubtful he will even interview)...

From what I understand all of the other coaches have been asked to return next year...

Wondering where Maddux fits in? Banny will no doubt have a heavy hand in who gets hired to replace Mag and Hawkins.

Whom we predicted would be gone at the end of the season back in May/June time frame...

Had a thought. Mets are heavy on RH starting pitching. Rangers heavy on LH starters. Perhaps a deal is in order.

They have 2 LHed starters (Matz and Niese) so if they are running a traditional 5 man rotation I would think that is about right. Now if they want an upgrade over Niese then you might get them to bite but I would think they would want you to take Niese which we wouldn't want...

I would think you would want to do business with someone who has none or only 1 LHed SP, that's if they have anybody worth trading for...

If Gallardo does not sign (he likes being home) and Lewis gone, our rotation is then rounded out by Gonzalez and Martinez.

About the only RHed Free agents out there that are an upgrade over Gallardo are Greinke, Cueto, Zimmerman and maybe Fister if he can get his act back together...

Greinke is currently at 25M, Cueto at 10M, Zimmerman at 16.5M and Fister at 11.5M...

If Gallardo could get at least another inning in each of his starts I think it would be a no-brainer to resign him. That means he would have pitched 217 innings this year which is better than most of the other starting RHers...

With both Gonzalez and Martinez neither one of them seem to get to or thru the 3rd time thru the order. Which means you would have to carry an extra reliever all season (just like 2015) unless they get their act together...

I think you seriously have to think about resigning at least one of the 2. They both have their drawbacks (high ERA and not enough innings) but I don't think you can afford to let both of them walk unless you get one of the Free agents listed above. That would leave you with the young'uns to be the 5th starter and 6th man spot starter/long reliever or back to AAA to learn some more...

You have to be able to get to the point where Yu comes back from his TJ surgery... BUT, he will have an arm that he and the team can't trust I think it makes it imperative you keep one of the 2 or bring in someone else and run a 6 man for part if not all of the season...

we have a hole of no power RH OF bat.

You aren't going to find a CFer that fits that description unless you give up half your body appendages, 1st born child and 1/2 the farm system. So that basically leaves it up to being a LFer...

Now if you are looking towards FA to fill that slot then Cespedes and Upton are the big boys on the block, and suppose both could play CF in a pinch but seem to be better suited to the corners...

If you decide to go the trade route then you have to find someone that wants a LHed 1B/DH or a LHed LF/DH that has health problems and 25M salary...

At the present time there doesn't seem to be anybody in the minors that is ready for primetime that fits the bill...

You have to be able to get to the point where Yu comes back from his TJ surgery... BUT, he will have an arm that he and the team can't trust I think it makes it imperative you keep one of the 2 or bring in someone else and run a 6 man for part if not all of the season...

Good points. Even when Darvish is back I seriously doubt he will pitch on 4 days rest. So the 6th pitcher is critical for next season. I see Darvish pitching once a week for a few weeks.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/afl/club.jsp?team_id=542

I think Brinson may make the team before Gallo.

He's definitely trending upwards he played in A, AA and AAA last year. And from looking at his numbers he could be the RHed OF you are looking for, in maybe another year or so...

You might want to add Rua to the list of departing players... Guess he decided not to go play Fall ball kinda like Martin refused to go to Arizona to stay in shape in case he was needed...

Now they clarify the situation with Rua, somewhat... Says he declined the Fall League because of a wedding, but they didn't say if it was his or someone else's... Hmmmmm...

Maybe we need to post the pitfalls of marriage and hope he reads it before it's too late... LOL...

The morning buzz from Grant is Mitch Moreland as a trading piece.

But they didn't even speculate on what he might be traded for like maybe a RHed SP or maybe a C or maybe a RHed OF bat. Just that trading Mitch would open up more possibilities for Joey when "we" don't think he's ready yet...

Now they are saying all of the other coaches were invited back next year but no word yet on their status... I thought it was already a done deal, guess not...

One team who overpays is looking for another LH bat. That would be the Dodgers. I bet we could rob their farm system:)

That's because you aren't going to get a decent starter from them, they don't have any other than Greinke and Kershaw...

The farm system you really want to rob is the Cardinals, theirs is really deep and has good players...

The morning buzz

Now out comes the "annual" catcher upgrade article, same article for the last 10 years just insert current names... :)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/headlines/20151020-rangers- offseason-issue-no.-3-one-catcher-texas-might-pursue-to-improve-position.ece

The morning buzz from Grant is Mitch Moreland as a trading piece.

And when did we first discuss this July or August??? And then I mention it again yesterday and up pops the devil from Grant about an hour later... LOL...

My guess is 110%!! LOL...

Oh before I forget what do you think the odds are that Bautista gets drilled with a 98 MPH heeter the first time the Rangers see him again??

I can think of two pitchers who might do that? Chi Chi or Luke Jackson. Or Kela.

Then again the only way to guarantee Bautista gets drilled is to let Odor pitch a game against them:)

That boy has moxy.

This is what Bautista did against Darvish:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yWwHkyBxGo

Or Kela.

Then again the only way to guarantee Bautista gets drilled is to let Odor pitch a game against them:)

That boy has moxy.

Kela has an attitude just like Rougie, he'll do it without being asked and smile while doing it... :)

But I have a sneaking suspicion Dyson will beat him to it and the dugouts will empty, that is if he's still in Toronto next year. He has a buyout on his 2016 contract and might take it to get the chance for some bigger bucks, he's making 14.5M now...

Yu used to pitch him a bunch of off speed stuff and made him look like a little leaguer.

When Yu throws the "screwgy" to RHed batters it has a way of making them look that way.

Start it out slightly above the knees out over the middle of the plate and it will run back inside about 12-15" and end up about ankle height, nothing Donaldson is gonna do with that pitch except look wayyyyyyyy overmatched...

Evan Grant already said no one wants Elvis and his toxic contract.

The Rangers have other recourses if it really comes to that, which might not be that far down the road if Profar comes back and is playing really well...

They can always flat out release him or do a buyout on his contract which in either case wouldn't cost them that much considering Profars lower contract will offset it for most of what is left of "EVIS's" contract...

Receiving the bag of used pucks would be nice but it's not a deal breaker when you are fixing a mistake like that one...

There is a video on ESPN (under MLB and then go to Texas Rangers, scroll down about 1/2 the page) where Rick Sutcliffe is opining that EVIS will never recover from his 7th inning debacle...

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:13892070

When Yu throws the "screwgy" to RHed batters it has a way of making them look that way.

And that's the thing about TJ surgery. Will Yu have his arsenal of pitch selections when he gets back?

Or will he surprise all and come back as a LH pitcher? Maybe a switch pitcher?

And that's the thing about TJ surgery. Will Yu have his arsenal of pitch selections when he gets back?

Yeah I was wondering the same thing...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/headlines/20151020-fraley-the- first-two-moves-i-d-make-this-offseason-as-rangers-gm.ece

Oh before I forget what do you think the odds are that Bautista gets drilled with a 98 MPH heeter the first time the Rangers see him again??

Looks like Holland is volunteering to drill Bautista... chuckle...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/headlines/20151020-derek-holland- not-a-fan-of-jose-bautista-on-the-field-and-personally-i-don-t-like-him- either.ece

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151021-sherrington-what-re- signing-mike-napoli-would-mean-for-mitch-moreland.ece

Fraley is saying they should check out Ian Kennedy and Mike Leake this off season. Both are currently in the NL average close to 200 innings but a move to the AL would raise their already 4.00 ERAs even higher. Fraley must think Maddox can help them be better pitchers...

Fraley has some weird ideas at times. The one who has JDs ear and TLs ear is Grant.

Ok I can see Kennedy as he has pitched in the AL. But only seemed to beat the Rangers consistently:)

So he wants to drain the farm for an even bigger risk.

Plus there are questions if Sonny Gray is healthy. Interesting how the A's limited his outings in the last month. Probably to keep his trade value up.

Who knows. Fraley seems to think the Rangers are now a big market team and have money to burn. I thought different.

Saw a piece on MLB trade rumors on Crush Davis and his FA value. Yes the Ks really hurt but he bats around .256 and crushed the ball well against LH and RH pitching. He also has power to all parts of the field. So if one is looking for a power bat that can play corner OF and corner INF Crush may be who the Rangers want back. He's 30 and in power prime. If Fraley is right and the Rangers have $ then taking on another $100+ million 6 year deal is no problem:)

So that leaves Mitch trade fodder to get the RH pitcher we need.

Just a thought.

Who knows. Fraley seems to think the Rangers are now a big market team and have money to burn. I thought different.

As of right now their total payroll is right at 152M. That includes all kinds of salaries like players that are gone, the soon to be free agents, some on the DL so forth and so on. It would take awhile to sort all of this out but I would think that this is about where they want to be at the start of next year after everything sorts itself out. But if they resign Napoli I don't see how they could maintain the 150M figure, it would have to go up. Especially if they resign him to a contract that is as overpriced as the one he just got done with, that was 16M...

And if I remember correctly you said they signed a big TV deal just last season and now that they are winning again the stadium should be full on a regular basis. This would allow them to go up to maybe 175M but I think that is about as high as it could get...

I also noticed A-Roids contract isn't listed, I thought they still owed money on him but I could be wrong...

http://www.spotrac.com/mlb/texas-rangers/payroll/

Yeah Sherrington the guy who spoke of Hamels as a bad deal.

He wasn't the only one I did too because I think they gave up too much for a #2 starter...

LOL saw that. And I'm sure Bautista saw it too:)

Who knows if he has or not, maybe we should make sure and send a link to his e-mail or the Blue Jays e-mail... LOL...

I would die laughing if he showed up at the plate wearing a flak jacket cause he knows what's coming... :)

So they need to acquire/resign 2 RHed pitchers and 1-2 RHed bats at a minimum (one I'm assuming will be Napoli). They probably will go after a few RPers and might decide they need an upgrade at catcher. (If you extrapolate Chirinos and Giminez stats out to a full season you will get somewhere around 20HRs and 70/75 RBIs, I can handle that at the catchers position for 2M dollars)...

Another thing will be arbitration with some players and some of the younguns will also get a pay raise...

I think one of the first things they need to decide is do they go thru arbitration with Martin to resign him and let him compete again next year for a spot on the team or sign/trade him or just flat out release him??

Then will they put a qualifying offer on Gallardo to ensure they get a draft pick if he walks, which I assume he will... But what if he accepts the offer will they sign him or just cut him loose??

Then how much do you want to pay Colby because I would just imagine he's going to ask for a lot more this time around, home town discount time is over I think especially since he won 17 games this year...

Then you have to figure out what Napoli is worth if you plan on resigning him. He averages 57 RBIs per year in his career, is that worth 16M a year??? (I say no but that's me)...

However the Rangers did outright Corporan, Blanks, and Strass and another I think to AAA. Corcoran and Blanks will go to FA of course. Remember Blanks was doing well with the long ball in his few starts until his injury.

There are plenty of misfit toys out there in FA market which will no doubt make Oakland's Beane salivate. Then again he took a "promotion" and is no longer GM.

However the Rangers did outright Corporan, Blanks, and Strass and another I think to AAA.

Antoan Richardson was the other.

Also the Dodgers claimed Lisalverto Bonilla from the Rangers on a waiver claim. Speaking of Dodgers Mattingly is gone, am wondering who will be their new head coach. Sounds like getting to the playoffs (with an overpriced mish mash of never have ever accomplished anything players) wasn't good enough for the new owners. You could trim close to 200M off that payroll and still be competitive with the new faces...

I got to looking at some stats and one jumped right out at me Leonys Martin's batting average is all over the place. When he's on he's on when he's off he's really off. I'm betting they bring him back and see if the new batting coach can "fix his stroke". He's 27 has lots of talent but can't quite get his head around what he really needs to be doing, (like his little temper tantrum during the playoffs) maybe they need to introduce him to Josh's shrink to see if he/she can "fix his head"...

I also noticed A-Roids contract isn't listed, I thought they still owed money on him but I could be wrong...

The reason I said that was when I was watching part of a Yankees game the announcers made mention of it when they were discussing him and his contract. Maybe they were wrong or maybe I just misheard...

We won't see much movement until the winter meetings in December.

But you should still see claims made on some players as they are taken off the 40, nothing spectacular but some none the less...

And if I remember correctly you said they signed a big TV deal just last season and now that they are winning again the stadium should be full on a regular basis.

Speaking of stadiums the latest rumor is...

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/randy- galloway/article41329596.html

Speaking of Dodgers Mattingly is gone, am wondering who will be their new head coach.

Well look who might be getting a shot at it, do you remember this guy???

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/the-big-mac- blog/article41185482.html

From what I understand all of the other coaches have been asked to return next year...

Looks like Maddux may not be a sure thing coming back... There is mention of him and Bogar teaming up is Seattle...

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article40467357.html

Yeah Gabe. Would be nice but his resume is a bit short.

True, but maybe the think they need someone who is young enough to relate to the players of today, Mattingly may have been too old school for the owners taste...

Go Reds!

Traitor

:)

Forget the Rangers.

Go Reds!

Traitor

I still go and watch Reds games, just so I can scout the opposition for players the Rangers could be interested in... :)

Interesting. Perhaps if that happens we could ask his brother to be pitching coach?:)

I wouldn't mind that... But it seems like really good players turned coaches have a hard time relating to the players they are coaching...

ARLINGTON -- The Rangers' catching depth was reduced on Monday when Carlos Corporan refused outright assignment and opted for free agency. Texas still has Robinson Chirinos, Chris Gimenez and Bobby Wilson on the 40-man roster. All three are eligible for arbitration.

Catching could be an area that the Rangers look to upgrade in the offseason. It is also a position that is relatively weak all through the Major Leagues and the arrangement that helped win an American League West title in 2015 may be as good as the Rangers can put together for next season.

"We need to be careful not to covet something that may or may not be out there," general manager Jon Daniels said. "It's tough a position in the industry to fill. At the same point, we'll look at make sure we're coming to camp with the best set up as we can."

Chirinos goes into the offseason as the Rangers' No. 1 catcher. He was that for the first four months and again in the postseason after playing most of the final two months of the season with a torn muscle in his left shoulder.

Chirinos batted .232 with 10 home runs, 34 RBIs, a .325 on-base percentage and a .438 slugging percentage. He also threw out 23.7 percent of attempted basestealers after leading the league at 36.2 percent in 2014.

Gimenez played in 36 games with the Rangers after being called up at the end of July and hit .255 with five home runs, 14 RBIs, a .330 on-base percentage and a .490 slugging percentage. He also threw out just one of 19 attempted basestealers, but he had shoulder "cleanup" surgery immediately after the season.

Gimenez, who turns 33 on Dec. 27, has never had a full season in the Majors, but the Rangers were 25-7 in his starts. He was also the personal catcher for starter Cole Hamels and emerged as a clubhouse leader down the stretch.

Wilson shared the catching duties with Gimenez in the final two months while Chirinos and Corporan were sidelined. Wilson hit .221 with one home run, 10 RBIs, a .291 on-base percentage and a .325 slugging percentage, although club officials also consider him the best defensively of the three.

The most interesting name on the list of potential free-agent catchers is Matt Wieters, a three-time All-Star with the Orioles who played in 75 games last season after being out from May 11, 2014 to June 5, 2015 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

The other potential free agents include Alex Avila, who was an All-Star for the Tigers in 2011 and their starting catcher for five years before falling off in '15. Also eligible for free agency are veterans Chris Iannetta, Dioner Navarro, A.J. Pierzynski, Geovany Soto and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

On the trade front, the Brewers may try to trade Jonathan Lucroy, who was an All-Star in 2014 and is signed through next season with a club option for '17. But new general manager David Stearns said Lucroy is the type of player they may want to build around. Other potential trade possibilities include Wilson Ramos of the Nationals, Tyler Flowers of the White Sox, Carlos Ruiz of the Phillies, Christian Vazquez of the Red Sox and A.J. Ellis of the Dodgers.

The Rangers' own catching depth took a bigger hit on July 31 when top prospect Jorge Alfaro was included in the trade with the Phillies and Tomas Telis was sent to the Marlins for reliever Sam Dyson.

Triple-A Round Rock finished the season with Brett Nicholas and Patrick Cantwell sharing the catching duties. Nicholas is a converted first baseman with left-handed power who is still learning the position. Cantwell, a third-round pick in the 2012 Draft, is excellent defensively, but he hit just .178 this past season. The Rangers still have hopes for Kellin Deglan, a first-round pick in 2010 who has the defensive ability and left-handed power at the plate. But he has played in just 17 games at Double-A Frisco.

T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger and listen to his podcast. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

And the latest on the catching situation for next year...

Frankly I think we have an above average situation at catcher. Most teams probably envy us.

Frankly I think we have an above average situation at catcher. Most teams probably envy us.

Catcher is the hardest everyday player position to fill in MLB... You either have a very good defensive catcher or you have a offensively gifted catcher. But hardly ever do the 2 come together in the same body, and if it does then 162 games behind the plate grinds it down to a useless nub. It's better (IMO) to have 2 to platoon (1 LH bat and 1 RH bat) to be able to matchup against the opposition pitching and to ensure they aren't beat down and useless by the end of the season. It also helps to create a little competition between the 2 for playing time, ensuring both play their best...

Send Wilson to RR to help the young pitchers.

Having Wilson in RR would be a good thing for the young pitchers, but for himself earnings wise not so much... I'm pretty sure he's out of options so if you need him he has to clear waivers when he's not needed anymore and thus open to someone to claim. Now if you can convince him to be a teacher to the younguns (both Pitchers and Catchers) and adequately compensate him then he might go for it. But he would have to be making as much as Chirinos/Gimenez I would think to be happy doing it. And not mind riding a damn bus everywhere he goes!!!

Rangers searching for new pitching coach.

Looks like Maddux bros out of Arlington.

It's surprising and yet it's not surprising at the same time.

They invited him back and when he didn't answer right away it signaled that maybe he wasn't wanting to come back. And that also gave the team the chance to realize how bad some of the pitching was against the Jays when they could have closed them out in 3 or 4 games...

If he would have accepted in the first week after the last game $5 says he would already have a contract in hand, "ya snooze ya lose"...

I found out over the summer that an officer I used to serve with is in the Pirates organization. Been there for a few years and works closely with the players and managers. Good troop and know why he is there.

ARLINGTON -- Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the club will consider internal candidates to replace pitching coach Mike Maddux.

Outside candidates will also be interviewed, but the Rangers showed last season how serious they are about promoting from within. When Jeff Banister was hired as manager last season, he added three to his staff from inside the organization: first-base coach Hector Ortiz, field coordinator Jayce Tingler and dugout coach Steve Buechele.

The Rangers have already interviewed three pitching coach candidates from the organization. All three have paid some serious dues in their rise through the labyrinth of Minor League baseball, and all have much hands-on time with the Rangers' homegrown pitchers. Texas is also looking for a bullpen coach, but that's likely not to be decided until after the pitching coach is determined.

Here is a look at the internal candidates:

Danny Clark: The Tennessee native has spent 10 seasons in the Rangers organization, including the past seven in the vital role of Minor League pitching coordinator. He began with the Rangers in 2006 as pitching coach at Class A Spokane, and then went to Class A Clinton in '07-08. That '08 staff included Derek Holland, Neftali Feliz, Michael Main and Blake Beavan and finished with a 3.53 ERA, 1,050 strikeouts and just 400 walks. Prior to joining the Rangers, Clark was head coach for six years at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tenn. Clark graduated from East Tennessee State University and holds a masters degree as well.

Brad Holman: A former Major League pitcher, Holman has spent seven seasons in the Rangers organization as a pitching coach, including the past three at Triple-A Round Rock. In the 16-team Pacific Coast League, the Express has finished fifth in pitching in two of the past three years. He also spent two seasons at Class A Hickory and two at Class A Myrtle Beach, and he was the 2013 winner of the Bobby Jones Player Development Man of the Year Award. He also had seven seasons as a pitching coach in the Mariners and Pirates organizations. Holman pitched in 19 games as a reliever for the Mariners in 1993. After his playing career was over, he worked for five years as a mechanic at Boeing Aircraft.

Jeff Andrews: He just finished his 30th season in professional baseball. This guy has been around so long, he was the pitching coach on the Class A Port Charlotte team in 1987 that included Kevin Brown and Kenny Rogers. Andrews started his career with the Rangers in 1986, and was with them for six years his first time around. He returned in 2009 and been at Double-A Frisco since then. Andrews was the 2014 Texas League Mike Coolbaugh Coach of the Year Award winner after his staff finished with a team record 3.39 ERA. He shared the '13 Bobby Jones Award with Holman. Andrews' range of experience includes an '02 stint with the independent league Lincoln Saltdogs and his season as the Pirates' pitching coach in '08.

The latest on the pitching coach situation...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151101-future-rangers-a-look- at-mlb-s-best-free-agents-that-texas-could-target-this-offseason.ece

Pass on all.

The team has already expressed the desire to keep Napoli's RHed bat around and extend a qualifying offer to Gallardo. Kinda curious to see if they try to keep Stubbs around to see if they can fix his swing. He would be a very good addition to the OF if they could, put him in CF move DD to LF and let Hamilton move to 1B/DH and split time with Fielder/Napoli...

Most of the people on that list were underachievers at best or showed they couldn't "Hold their water" during the playoffs, or have only had one decent year and it was 2015...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151104-sources-doug-brocail-offered-rangers-pitching-coach-job-and-brad-holman-bullpen-coach.ece

Grant had some article on the RF position. Waste of words. Choo has the job.

Grant had some article on the RF position. Waste of words. Choo has the job.

Gotta keep the casual fan interested by stirring the pot ya know...

Yeah the Rangers baseball news is slim pickings.

They want to have the new coaching staff in place by tomorrow or Saturday cause Free Agency starts I think 5 days after the WS ends...

Looks like Sherrington is throwing Holland, Gallardo and Colby under the bus now by saying none of them are good enough to be a 3rd starter. He left Perez out of his rant and is forgetting Yu is coming back. Then turns right around and says Gallardo will be back, lol.....

And Grant is talking about trading Joey away for a 3rd starter (not going to happen)... "Grant: The "ask" would be as expected: For any big-time pitcher, it will start with Joey Gallo, but the package would have to include more. Other guys who hold significant value are Nomar Mazara, Lewis Brinson, Chi Chi Gonzalez and Keone Kela. It's going to make it hard to pull off another blockbuster since the Cole Hamels deal filled a big need on the major league roster, but also peeled away a level of talent inside the system.

On now it finally looks like Grant has had a revelation by saying Oakland won't trade Sonny Gray away, which always was a foregone conclusion... "Oakland general manager Billy Beane told Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons this week trading Gray is not something I think we could do."

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151104-washington-nationals-name-mike-maddux-pitching-coach.ece

Kinda make you wonder if they won't try to resign Fister and Zimmerman now that they have a bigger name pitching coach...

They want to have the new coaching staff in place by tomorrow or Saturday cause Free Agency starts I think 5 days after the WS ends...

Well it looks like they have the coaching staff in place today...

What's the old saying "Who is this freakin guy"? Never heard of him...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151105-rangers-finalize- coaching-staff-anthony-iapoce-is-hitting-instructor.ece

Grant had some article on the RF position. Waste of words. Choo has the job.

You must be referring to this one.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151104-rangers-right-field- outlook-can-shin-soo-choo-put-together-a-full-season.ece

And for some idiotic reason he's suggesting that Mazara can only play RF when he's actually spent substantial time in LF, where the team actually needs a player...

It also kinda sounds like the team is talking to Stubbs about coming back next year... Maybe they have the same idea I have that if they fix his swing he will be a good RHed addition to the OF...

Yeah the Rangers baseball news is slim pickings

Here's another article that may make you laugh, trade away Holland to get more starting pitching???????? LOL......

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/156290842/rangers-to-seek-pitching-in-hot- stove-season

Prince Fielder named AL Comeback Player of the Year by MLB.com writers

Good to see that after what happened last year.

"Rangers Prince Fielder World Series MVP"

They just need to go to a Stars game:)

So when are you going??

Yeah saw that. The baseball writers are bored.

The latest from Grant and his wish lists...

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-rangers/20151107-five-names-outside-the-organization-to-keep-in-mind-for-the-rangers-this-offseason-including-a-slew-of-pitchers.ece

Can't really see them making a play for Grey cause he would cost too much to land in the way of prospects. BTA I have seen Oakland trade players for next to nothing before so you never know, offer 2 prospect and go from there. I think JD isn't a very good horse trader he offers way too much for so little, still think he could have gotten the Hamels trade done for less...

A couple of the players I could see the Rangers making a play for would be pitchers Fister and Carrasco. Fister has proven he can pitch effectively in the AL and can throw 200 innings, Carrasco hasn't yet but seems to be looking like he might be ready to breakout and do it...

Lucroy well unless he can handle the staff better than what we already have then I would say that would be a waste of money...

Steave Pearce would be a waste of time he's more a utility player that has only had 1 decent season. Cheaper yes proven no...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14095292/tommy-hanson-former-atlanta-braves- losangeles-angels-pitcher-dies

2. When Jurickson Profar starts throwing from a position, it will be shortstop. GM Jon Daniels said the club believes that Profar will be more suited to make throws from shortstop than second base, based on the angle and the stress placed on his throwing arm. Profar wanted to continue to play after his stint in the Arizona Fall League ends, but the Rangers said he was so close to a clean bill of health there was no point in taking any risks in a winter league.

An interesting development in Profar's recovery and also a hint to "EVIS" that he might be getting a new zipcode... :) :) :)

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas-rangers/article44102820.html

And another interesting development concerning Profar...

Give them the "Hamilton deal" for Elvis.

The Yankees are inept enough to actually pay half his salary.

2. Based on his defensive contributions and potential trade value, Leonys Martin will be tendered a contract by the Rangers before the Dec. 2 salary arbitration date.

"We will 100 percent tender him," Daniels said.

Martin made $4.75 million in 2015 in the last year of the initial contract he signed after defecting from Cuba.

Daniels also indicated that Martin has been one of the players in which the Rangers have received the most interest, based on his defensive abilities and offensive potential. The Rangers could tender him a contract and then deal him to another club, which would then pick up the arbitration case.

Looks like they plan on keeping Martin around, as trade bait at a minimum or maybe give him one last chance in Spring Training to get his schitt together...

Use him as a piece in a trade for Carrasco the Indians could use a LHed CFer...

Latest bullcrap by ESPN writer Jim Bowden (And I use the term "writer" very loosely) has Alex Gordon LFer LHed going to the Rangers for 5 years $90M, LOL...

LOL. Yeah what we need. Another LH hitter. These national reporters don't know our team. They just say hey this guy is available and the Rangers seem to be a good fit:)

JD already indicated he was focusing on trades and not FAs.

We may get some BP help from the FA market, maybe a 4-5 rotation pitcher at a bargain price. If that happens it will be late Feb when middle rung FA pitchers realize there are loads of pitchers and few chairs. When Feb comes along the music will stop and Gallardo types will be begging their agent for a one or two year deal which will amount to a few mil below the qualifying offer.

It's a buyer's market this year.

maybe a 4-5 rotation pitcher at a bargain price.

I don't really think they want Gallardo back to tell you the truth. They would rather have someone younger they can control for 3 or more years at a decent price, which means they will have to make a trade...

We may get some BP help from the FA market

Do we really need to go there to get BP help??? What if Scheppers gets his schitt together in Spring Training then there will be no need...

That's why I think they will sit out most of FA and see what happens next season/Spring training. I think he will do the exact same thing he did this year and that will be wait until the trade deadline to pick up any missing pieces there may be and make another run to the playoffs...

The only things I think he will do during the offseason is try to make a trade for a RHed starter, and if that fails resign Colby on a 1 year deal. The other thing is get 1-2 RHed bats to even out the lineup. I know they like Naps and his leadership ability but his bat is streaky, he's basically a 1B/Emergency C (not an OFer) and he made $16M last year. Do they think they are going to get a bargain deal from him considering they want him to be a platoon player. When he's still good/young enough to get a full time gig elsewhere???

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14115615/andrelton-simmons-atlanta-braves-losangeles-angels-trade-erick-aybar

Looks like we won't have to worry about the Angels getting any better they just traded away their SS and best pitching prospects for an overrated over priced SS...

Must be the water there... LOL...

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/66338/2015-offseason-preview-texas- rangers

He was doing alright until he made the point that the team needs a RHed platoon OFer for "CHOO"... And then totally blew it by suggesting they trade for Aroldis Chapman... LOL... Enjoy!!!

He started 8 games, 51 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.65...

Just like the Rangers traded their replacement (Jerad Eickhoff) for Colby away in the Hamels deal.

He started 8 games, 51 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.65...

Eh beginners luck.

That was his "April" pitching for bottom dweller Philly.

We got a #1-2 starter for a #3-4 replacement. I think we got the better deal with Hamels.

We got a #1-2 starter for a #3-4 replacement. I think we got the better deal with Hamels.

My point was Eickhoff should have never been included in the Hamels deal, they could have added an "A" ball pitcher with "supposed" high upside and not looked back... What are the odds the "A" ball pitcher would have ever made it to the majors anyway, 1-100 or more???

Now they have to spend a whole lot of money to get both #3 & 4 pitchers for next year and maybe even further into the future because they traded the future away. A much cheaper future by the way...

Remember what I said way back in the Spring about the Rangers had one of the top 3 farm systems in MLB and only had to sit tight for a year or 2 and then they would be set for a looooongggg time?? Don't see that anymore just another disaster waiting to happen if 1-2 key players get hurt..... again....

Remember what I said way back in the Spring about the Rangers had one of the top 3 farm systems in MLB and only had to sit tight for a year or 2 and then they would be set for a looooongggg time?? Don't see that anymore just another disaster waiting to happen if 1-2 key players get hurt..... again....

Hard to look at the unknowns coming from the minors. The Rangers don't have any "generational" type talent right now and probably have not since ARod.

We have to take into consideration the core starters we have and look at age and contract length. The Rangers have a window of 2016- 2018, three seasons to do what they need to get done. Within that timeframe minor leaguers like Profar, Gallo and a few pitching prospects will either make it and fill in or not.

Remember most thought we sold the farm to get Dempster. We gave up Justin Grimm and Mike Olt. Grimm pitched out of the BP for the Cubbies and Olt is still in the minors passed over several times.

What I can't figure out is the Cardinals farm system. They seem to keep getting well above average results from their system. Could be better scouting of draft picks.

The Astros got great quick by being bad for so long. That's another way to do it, but very bad for selling tickets.

The Rangers don't have any "generational" type talent right now and probably have not since ARod.

I could care less about having another A-Rod, one player does not a team make...

How many teams who have won WS in the last 10 years who have had 1 or maybe 2 players on their roster that were A-Rods or somewhere close to one??? 1 maybe???

If you have good pitching, good defense, decent base running and a lineup full of guys that can hit somewhere in the vicinity of .260-.280, 10-20 HR and 50-80 RBIs and I'll show you a team who has a hell of a good chance to win that WS when the opportunity arises...

Remember most thought we sold the farm to get Dempster. We gave up Justin Grimm and Mike Olt. Grimm pitched out of the BP for the Cubbies and Olt is still in the minors passed over several times.

Grimm did a very good job for the Cubbies since he has switched to the pen a 1.99 ERA isn't shabby... Olt on the other hand was always over rated as far as I was concerned but at the time of that trade the farm system wasn't all that great...

If you have good pitching, good defense, decent base running and a lineup full of guys that can hit somewhere in the vicinity of .260-.280, 10-20 HR and 50-80 RBIs and I'll show you a team who has a hell of a good chance to win that WS when the opportunity arises...

Leonys Martin now there's a player who is only worth $3M a year or $12-15M a year depending on just a very few things, mainly walks, OBP and runs scored...

He plays very good defense he probably saves the team in the neighborhood of 40 runs per year because of it. He also is a "decent" offensive player in that he can hit about 8 HRs and 45-50 RBIs. BUT.... What would put him over the top would be drawing more walks or upping his BA about 15-20 points, which would translate into him being a leadoff table setter for the offense and scoring over 100 runs. You put it altogether the runs scored, driven in and saved and he would have the impact of an A-Rod, but needless to say he doesn't. That's the reason he lost his job he couldn't get the offense moving he was just about an "automatic out" in certain situations. If he improves at the plate he will take his job back, he doesn't well he will probably be traded...

In other news today Gallardo turned down his qualifying offer, something I think he will regret before it's over with unless the Dodgers, RedSox or WhiteSox decide they could use him... He just isn't worth $16M a year... So I would expect that by now Colbys phone has rung and JD has left him a voice mail wanting to talk about 2016...

What I can't figure out is the Cardinals farm system. They seem to keep getting well above average results from their system. Could be better scouting of draft picks.

The prospects that end up playing for them seem to be able to step right up and fill the hole created in the lineup by injury, retirement or trade...

I think they are just like everybody else in that they are looking for talent, but I think they take it a step or 2 further and only select/draft those that have "certain intangibles" the team is looking for. Players that don't fit the mold aren't drafted/selected and they end up in other teams farm systems... (Hard to look at the unknowns coming from the minors). Is it???

Didn't you used to judge people all the time for suitability in certain jobs in the military??? Didn't your units commanding officer trust you to do this job for him??? This is no different... If you had doubts or the "BOSS" had doubts the guy was gone or not considered anymore to fill that position, wasn't he!!!

And I also think the coaches in the farm system reinforce the "Cardinal philosophy" every step of the way until it's deemed time they play for the Cardinals or get shipped off to some other team because they just can't fully grasp/execute the Cardinal Philosophy... Sound familiar??

The Astros got great quick by being bad for so long.

Are they?

They folded down the stretch cause they didn't have "certain intangibles", it wasn't from lack of raw talent...

Yes have it. Will try to catch some games.

Then you might want to watch the one tonight if you aren't doing anything, you get to see some of the Rangers prospects...

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/157264128/fall-league-game-live-on-mlbcom-mlb-network

We have to take into consideration the core starters we have and look at age and contract length. The Rangers have a window of 2016-2018, three seasons to do what they need to get done.

Most of them we traded for or signed as FAs instead of letting the younguns develop...

JD backed them into this corner cause he feared for his job instead of being patient...

What I can't figure out is the Cardinals farm system. They seem to keep getting well above average results from their system. Could be better scouting of draft picks.

Speaking of the Cardinals farm system...

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157343442/aledmys-diaz-hits-homer-on-afl-military-night?topicid=153494546

"certain intangibles",

Yeah like the lack on the Cowboys.

Losing the game AGAIN in the last 3 mins or so..unless the Bucs horrible rookie throws another pick.

And an ol retired Noncom using the word "intangibles" makes me uncomfortable FYI. You guys aren't allowed to be touchy feely types:)

Then you might want to watch the one tonight if you aren't doing anything, you get to see some of the Rangers prospects...

As a matter of fact I did catch 45 mins last night. I'm checking up on my mom in FL right now. A snap inspection of the place where she is recovering.

Grabbed a bite out and they had the game on. I'm in the heart of the Grapefruit league. Baseball crazy here. Kids play year round.

Cowboys just lost another game in the last min. Oh well .

I haven't really paid any attention to them other than to know they traded for Matt Cassel. Having someone else's reject for a backup QB usually doesn't end up well so I would just imagine "HE" is the major reason why they are losing...

What do you bet they draft a QB next Spring??

And an ol retired Noncom using the word "intangibles" makes me uncomfortable FYI. You guys aren't allowed to be touchy feely types:)

Does having a rock for a head qualify as an intangible???

I can remember being told by an Officer or 2 that I had one... :)

Leonys Martin to Mariners in 5-Player Deal: Latest Trade Details, Reaction

After their center fielders finished 26th in WAR in 2015, per FanGraphs, the Seattle Mariners decided to upgrade their available options. Seattle confirmed it traded pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen, outfielder James Jones and a player to be named later to the Texas Rangers for Leonys Martin and pitcher Anthony Bass on Monday.

(From Bleacher Report)

Also I owe the Yankees organization an apology. The Padres could end up being the most inept organization:

Rangers trade rumors: Padres could pursue Elvis Andrus, per source

BWAAAAAAAAA!!!!

I'm surprised they wasted/used Martin for this instead of a RHed OFer. Guess he burned his bridge so badly when he refused to go to Arizona during the playoffs that the first offer that came along he was gone.

Also I owe the Yankees organization an apology. The Padres could end up being the most inept organization:

Rangers trade rumors: Padres could pursue Elvis Andrus, per source

BWAAAAAAAAA!!!!

I've got my fingers, toes and nads crossed that this comes to fruition... Watch that big overblown contract go sailing off to the West Coast with all the other overblown contracts, must be something in the water there...

You do remember that Preller was one of JDs flunkies don't you???

Rangers could ask Wandy Rod back as long reliever. Ohlendorf or Mayne Renauldo. Or maybe Colby is asked back. Who knows?!

You do remember that Preller was one of JDs flunkies don't you???

Yes and AJ owes us a few favors. Make the bad deal for Andrus, get fired and end up back with the Rangers:)

Schep might be a candidate for long reliever. Eh probably not:)

No he is more the type that does well with 1-2 innings, no more...

When he's on he's on, when he's off he's really way off, there is no in between with him it's either sub 2.00 ERA or 5.00+ ERA. Don't know if it's a motion issue or it's a head/mental issue. I do think they will give him another chance to get his schitt together cause they know what he can do when he's on, he's dominant!!!

Or maybe Colby is asked back.

Unless I miss my guess they are already talking to Colby about coming back it's only a matter of how much and how long. I know Colby probably would like a multi year contract but I don't think the team will do that. I think they only want him for one year (or less) because of all the youngsters that are about ready and Yu coming back.

Now if they aren't talking to Colby then my next guess is they are talking to Fister (or someone like him). One because he's a sinkerball pitcher and two because of Banisters emphasis on getting more ground balls (Colby is a fly ball pitcher). The thing is Fister made $11.4M last year, and will the team think that's too much or it's reasonable???

Oday is available. Looking for two year deal. May be too rich a deal. Heard it could be 2 yr 14M

Are talking about Darren O'Day??

He isn't a long reliever and we already have 4-5 guys that have 6th, 7th and 8th inning stuff. Would rather spend the money on a good RHed starter the team can control for at least 3 years at a decent price. You can never have too many good starters, the last 2 years should be proof of that...

Besides that I have a suspicion they will let Holland walk when the time comes for him to be a FA if he doesn't get his schitt together...

If the new hitting coach can straighten his bat out he would be a good addition to the team, the Rhed OF bat they need. I would imagine he would get at least 300 ABs having to fill in for Josh at least 2-3 times for a period of time along with giving DD and Choo a periodic rest. And be a late inning defensive substitute and base running threat...

They just need to get Stubbs on base. Dude is a running machine.

Yeah he needs all the help he can get. He was clueless at the plate.

Most of the time it's something easy to fix but the batter can't see it or think of it. Where an extra pair of eyes (batting coach) and/or a video camera can work wonders... Like for him get videos of 2010 when he was at his best (22 HRs and 77 RBIs) and compare to what he doing wrong now...

It could be his leg kick (his timing mechanism) is too high/too far forward, causing him to be behind/under the heeter. Or he is too close/too far from the plate or too far forward/too far back in the batters box (causing issues with the other pitches).

Learning to look for a specific pitch and location in certain situations also works wonders for average/OBP. Trying to guess each and every pitch will drive you batty and your average will suffer big time...

And above all "LEARN TO BE PATIENT AT THE PLATE NO MATTER THE SITUATION"!!!

They just need to get Stubbs on base. Dude is a running machine.

Which would make him a good #9 hitter on days where DD is leading off and Choo batting 2nd...

Truthfully I think DD won't be playing full time that much longer, cause Brinson/Mazara should be better all around players and Stubbs if he gets his schitt together...

The thing I'm hoping is that they can get by using only 12 pitchers on a regular basis next year that would allow them to carry 1 DH, 1 who can play both IF/OF, 4 OFers, 5 IFers and 2 Catchers...

That would be good; however having 12 pitchers is still a lot to hold. I think it will depend on their actual starting rotation on whether they start with 11 or 12 pitchers. Although Banny was master of the DFA last year which saved his bacon.

Another thing is keeping everybody fresh for the playoffs instead of them being worn down to a nub just trying to get there, like this/last year...

http://sports.espn.go.com/blog/mlb/rumors/post/_/id/22855/mlb-rumors-roundup-for-nov-19

Speaking of pitchers now the Rangers are being linked to bringing Soria back and a big overpriced contract. Some of these sportswriters just don't get that the teams don't want to pay everybody $10-20M per year when they don't have to, nimrods... (If these sportswriters make over $5 per year it's a travesty)...

Now one name he did mention that I brought up back when they made the Cole Hamels deal is Ken Giles. He would solidify the BP for years, can hit 100MPH and has only allowed 3 HRs in 2 full seasons!!!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gileske01.shtml

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/157797894/rangers-set-40-man-roster-ahead-of-deadline

Looks like they traded Patton for another IFer and made some adjustments to the 40 man roster...

Wonder if they try to get some bargains in the Rule 5 in December.

It leaves the Rangers with 38 players on the 40-man roster, giving them the ability to add a player and to participate in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., next month.

That is from basically the same article except from the DMN instead of Rangers site. It doesn't mention any specific positions or players so it leaves it up to our imagination...

I doubt very much that it would be a Catcher, Mazara and Brinson are almost ready for the OF, Profar and Alberto are almost ready in the IF. So that pretty much only leaves room for a pitcher or maybe a good RHed bat that hasn't shown an affinity for playing good defense in any one position yet. Or is there something I'm forgetting???

http://www.sportsdaydfw.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2015/11/19/will-texas-rangers-add-40-man-roster-fridays-deadline

Here I missed this one, better late than never...

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157509810/40-man-roster-decisions-impact-rule-5-draft

Here is another Rule 5 draft article.

I don't think this is all inclusive and doesn't say who all got added to each teams 40 man roster, but will give you something to speculate about...

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/rule_5.jsp?mc=faq

Oooops almost forgot to post the rules...

Or is there something I'm forgetting???

If they drop Evis from the 40 man roster would that mean we could pick up another rule 5? LOL.

That Astros list is deep again.

And most of them are pitchers, hmmmmmm...

They've been selecting players up real close to the top of the draft for awhile now, so some of those players should make good Rule 5 candidates. You can't protect them all unless you do a house cleaning on your roster, and then wait to sign FAs and refill the roster after Rule 5 is over...

I see the main rule is you cannot stick a rule 5 in the minors to bolster your reserve.

Actually you can... You can draft from someone elses minor league team to your minors.

For instance in 2014 Texas drafted Roderick Shoulders from the Cubs, he played at Hickory and Round Rock before the team decided he stunk and released him. They also drafted Hiram Martinez from the Marlins and turned right around and traded him to a Mexican team for cash...

That Astros list is deep again.

Since the Astros are in the market for a closer I wonder if they make a deal for one using some of those players they can't protect from losing in Rule 5???

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/157846424/young-players-on-mlb-trading-block-this-winter

Another interesting article...

A few possibilities there if you wanted to take the chance, like Baez for Mazara and another body???

That Astros list is deep again.

Marlins have 8 and they're all pitchers, they only chose to protect 3 or maybe that was all they could afford to protect...

Cardinals also have 8 and only protected 1!!!

KC has 8 and only protected 4...

Since the Astros are in the market for a closer I wonder if they make a deal for one using some of those players they can't protect from losing in Rule 5???

I'm sure JD is working an angle. Seems he has his groove back....Since he started lurking here like Banny:)

We should work for Draft Kings:)

Then again you roll the dice with unproven young talent.

Hopefully Maddux will convince the Nats GM that Scheppers is valuable and they send us a catching prospect:)

http://www.sportsdaydfw.com/texas-rangers/rangersheadlines/2015/11/23/looking-potential-targets-rangers-texas-look-jonathan-lucroy

His other stats don't seem to be any better than theirs...

http://www.sportsdaydfw.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2015/11/25/new-ranger-ends-time-venezuelan-league

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesja06.shtml

Looks like we finally get to know who the "Player to be named later" in the Martin deal is...

Another LHed OF bat in the farm system, just great... NOT!!!

And this also made me wonder if he couldn't be used at 1B since he's a switch hitter and has some pop in his bat. If his minors stats are translated out to a full season he's capable of 20HRs and 70-80 RBIs...

He has all the tools we just need to figure out a way to get him in the everyday lineup...

Best for them to keep playing Cassell so they lose the rest of the games and get a good draft pick to replace Romo.

They had the opportunity to draft his replacement last year in Bryce Petty and didn't do it. Of course the kid would have been a project (like Romo was) but his education process would already be a year down the road...

If you want to see who should be coming out in 2016 then check this out...

http://walterfootball.com/draft2016QB.php

Ilitch must have scads of money cause I can't imagine he brings in that much at the ballpark since that Ghetto/Detroit is a ghost town nowadays...

A rumor I heard was the Marlins are talking to Barry Bonds about him being their batting instructor/coach!! That would be kinda fun to see him in a uniform again and see what he can teach to the younger players of today...

Haven't heard anything about what the Rangers are doing so am assuming they are waiting till a few more FAs have signed before they make their move, if they actually go after any FAs...

Haven't heard anything about what the Rangers are doing so am assuming they are waiting till a few more FAs have signed before they make their move, if they actually go after any FAs...

Wondering if there are talks with Colby. They did not offer him a qualifying offer.

Wonder what Gallardo is thinking right now? That juicy $16M qualifying offer would have been nice to have and improve his game to get a better deal the next year.

Wondering if there are talks with Colby. They did not offer him a qualifying offer.

I would imagine they are talking to him but I haven't heard anything one way or the other...

He only made $4M last year so why make a qualifying offer of 15.6M when you can probably resign him for 8-9M for 1 year...

Wonder what Gallardo is thinking right now? That juicy $16M qualifying offer would have been nice to have and improve his game to get a better deal the next year.

He's licking his lips and rubbing his hands in anticipation of the next dumb owner to call offering him insane money for mediocrity... I'm betting he gets offered at least 18M for a couple of years, I'd be surprised if that doesn't happen...

And it looks like he's gonna be right Zimmerman just signed for 22M a year and David Price just got offered 7yrs/217M from the Red Sox!!! How can you offer a guy 31M a year when he's a liability in the playoffs, his record is somewhere around 1-9 with a 5+ ERA... It really makes you wonder how some of these owners got their money? Either inheritance or sucking the governments cod cause it sure wasn't from good business sense!!!

That Price deal is a bust from the start.

Here thought you might want to read this...

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/66725/red-sox-sign-david-price-but- overpay-to-get-their-ace-starter

Idiots like "Dumbrowski" is what is slowly but surely ruining the game... If the player contracts were "incentive based" and uniform throughout the league the game would be played a totally different way...

Idiots like "Dumbrowski" is what is slowly but surely ruining the game... If the player contracts were "incentive based" and uniform throughout the league the game would be played a totally different way...

Yep.

The Texas Rangers on Wednesday received Patrick Kivlehan, a versatile power hitter in the minors, from Seattle to complete a deal that sent center fielder Leonys Martin to the Mariners.

Kivlehan, who will start next season at age 26, is a right-handed hitter who started at first base and all three outfield positions with Triple-A Tacoma this season. He had 22 homers and a .453 slugging percentage.

Kivlehan has never appeared in the majors. He was a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft out of the State University of New Jersey, better known as Rutgers. Kivlehan, listed at 6 feet 2 and 210 pounds, exclusively played football for four years at Rutgers at safety. He resumed his baseball career after finishing with football.

Kivlehan began this season rated as the No. 4 overall prospect in a thin Seattle minor-league system. He is described as a bad-ball hitter who is best suited for first base and left field.

The Rangers also added right-handed reliever Tom Wilhelmsen and outfielder James Jones in the deal.

I thought that Jones was the player to be named later in the Wilhelmson deal but it looks like I was wrong we actually got 3 players in the deal and here is the 3rd one...

Looking at his bio (RHed, power bat, can play 3rd, 1st and all 3 OF spots) I bet they give him every opportunity to win a spot on the 25 coming out of Spring Training. That's if they don't sign or trade for someone to fill that need...

You know I haven't heard any speculation whatsoever about trading Moreland for a RHed bat or Rhed starter...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14278366/chris-gimenez-texas-rangers-agree-1-year-975000-contract

So it looks like they are making sure they have at least 2 catchers. I'm guessing they've found out it would be too expensive at this time to upgrade at the catcher position or trade for a good young promising one...

Unless some other team dangles a high end Catcher prospect at the Rangers for Moreland or a farm OFer, it seems we have Chirinos and Gimmy.

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas- rangers/rangersheadlines/2015/12/03/looking-potential-targets-rangers-starting- rotation-rounding-group-full-potential?f=r

One possibility they left out would be Shelby Miller from the Braves, a Texas boy. He graduated from Brownwood HS in Brownwood, Texas, I used to go fishing at Lake Brownwood on a regular basis. Heck I may have even seen the kid playing on one of the beaches or out fishing with his Dad or Grandfather.

The wife has a relative on her side of the family that owns property down at Lake Brownwood (or used to) maybe I need to check into that as a winter hideaway... :)

A rumor I heard was the Marlins are talking to Barry Bonds about him being their batting instructor/coach!!

Well it looks like they made it official...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14289226/barry-bonds-named-hitting-coach-miami-marlins

One possibility they left out would be Shelby Miller from the Braves, a Texas boy.

Well you can count him out now he went to the Diamondbacks for a SO-SO OFer and 2 prospects, not bad for a guy with a 3.02 ERA last year. His record sucked (6-17) but he got no run support whatsoever from his team mates.

He would have fit in very nicely in the Rangers rotation for a long time...

They want to add a couple FA players but only want to sign them to 1 year deals, not much going on in that respect right now. (All because of the kids in AAA about ready to hit the big league team)... Once it gets closer to the season starting up again they might be able to find someone willing to sign for one year because they haven't had any other offers. But what kind of player is that gonna be, will he actually be any help to the team or just a lump on the bench???

From what I'm seeing/hearing Moreland/Fielder are not on the trade market contrary to all the rumors. They want to resign Adrian for a few more years, they want a RHed OFer/1B player to even out the lineup and at least 1 RHed pitcher.

As far as the pitcher goes they haven't been able to trade for one because of what I said in the first paragraph, and have only recently started talking to Colby because it seems he's alright after his knee surgery. Haven't seen anything else in the way of a FA RHed pitcher...

As far as the RHed OFer goes I'm seeing they are interested in Steve Pearce and Rajai Davis, so I'm assuming they aren't going to resign Napoli. Don't think he feels he's ready to be a part time player yet at a reduced salary...

Almost forgot Drew Stubbs is still out there and would make a very good addition if they can get his swing fixed. In my opinion he would end up being a better fit than Napoli or the other guys they are looking at. He's an outstanding defensive OFer and should be able to figure out 1B. (If you can't play 1B there is something wrong with you and the only place left for you is DH)... And the way it looks he would probably end up playing in at least 120 games or more playing on the days they face LHers, for when Josh gets hurt and as a defensive replacement... Same thing goes with him though is he ready to accept a reduced roll to try and win a WS ring???

As far as the RHed OFer goes I'm seeing they are interested in Steve Pearce and Rajai Davis, so I'm assuming they aren't going to resign Napoli. Don't think he feels he's ready to be a part time player yet at a reduced salary...

Also just remembered Todd Frazier is out there and he can play multiple positions, 3B, OF, 1B and SS when he was younger. Right now the Reds want an arm and a leg for him but if no one gives them what they want by the Trade Deadline he might become a bit more affordable. He will be eligible for arbitration after next year and should get a very healthy raise and could be kinda hard to resign. A very good backup plan in case they can't resign Beltre...

And.... the Yankees will have some high dollar players coming off the books at the end of next year and will be in the market for replacements, a good place to send Fielder and Evis...

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2015/12/15/rangers-bring-back-bobby-wilson?f=r

The latest and greatest...

The guy from Japan sounds interesting if he can produce the same results here...

Also just remembered Todd Frazier is out there and he can play multiple positions, 3B, OF, 1B and SS when he was younger. Right now the Reds want an arm and a leg for him but if no one gives them what they want by the Trade Deadline he might become a bit more affordable. He will be eligible for arbitration after next year and should get a very healthy raise and could be kinda hard to resign. A very good backup plan in case they can't resign Beltre...

Well that didn't last very long he just got traded today, and cheaply from the looks of it... Why can't Daniels find deals like this???

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/67124/white-sox-dodgers-make-out- well-in-three-way-trade-with-reds

Looks like they are going to 'hold' on what they have.

I just heard they resigned Colby for 1 year and gave him a raise so that should fill in the rotation for now. Gonzo should be #5 unless he stinks in Spring Training... I still think they will go after another 1-2 arms unless they are confident in what is in AAA...

I think they are still kicking the tires on young RHed pitchers with at least 3 years of control, but as of now no takers for a decent price...

Speaking of kicking the tires they signed this kid to a tryout contract, he can hit 95!!!

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2015/12/18/rangers-sign- troubled-former-1-pick-matt-bush-minor-league-contract?f=r

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2015/12/17/move-josh- hamilton-rangers-sign-justin-ruggiano?f=r

Well Napoli signed with the Indians so they still should be in the market for a RHed power bat. That is unless they think Patrick Kivlehan can win that job out of Spring Training... He's versatile (can play IF and OF) so he could be a good cheap bench player...

A team stream report I received said they are looking to the Rays for a trade.

http://espn.go.com/minorlbk/story/_/id/14418322/double-frisco-roughriders-hold-runner-night-2016

Thought you might get a chuckle out of this...

http://espn.go.com/minorlbk/story/_/id/14418322/double-frisco-roughriders-hold-runner-night-2016

Thought you might get a chuckle out of this...

LOL, yeah that's clever and funny. Just a way to get a nice looking young woman near their club house:)

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14426800/mlb-strange-true-feats-2015

• And how did this happen? The Twins got a triple from three hitters in the same inning of their June 14 game in Texas -- but scored only one run. (So how did that happen? Shane Robinson got picked off third by Robinson Chirinos after triple No. 2. That's how.)

Here's an article you might find interesting/amusing, along with an excerpt...

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/90877/yankees-add-aroldis-chapman-and-his-baggage-to-stacked-bronx-bullpen

Did you see the Yankees traded for Aroldis Chapman???

Looks like they are another team that realize "adequate" starting pitching is hard to come by and are making their pen deeper... Am curious as to how many pitchers they will have on the opening day roster???

Question remains about the number of games he will be suspended due to domestic violence (Guess I have to tone down my critique of the Cowboys signing Greg Hardy.) Currently he is arbitration eligible ,and a free agent after this season. BUT ,if he serves significant suspension time ,it extends the time the Yanks control his deal.

I don't think Cashman is finished dealing . He has already opened the door for a possible trade of Andrew Miller to fill other needs ,like a young top end starter (dare I think Jose Fernandez ? ) If not ,the combo of Chapman,Miller , Betances could anchor the best bull pen of all time.

I also think the Yanks may consider moving Ivan Nova to fill a need.

Cashmen is probably trying to figure out how to get rid of Aroid. Maybe the Dodgers:)

That would be nice. There are other players on the team that could use a semi- day off in the DH position .(Beltran ,Tex ) But we know he can't be moved . The Yanks would still have to eat a mouthful of his salary . He barely can handle the DH role so any NL team would be out of the question.

The only things positive to say about his time last year was that he emerged as an occasional threat in the middle of the line up ;and that he assumed a leadership role on the team. He had no big controversies ,and said all the right things .

The good thing for the Yanks is they can begin shedding the high salaries of players like Tex starting 2017 .

I also think the Yanks may consider moving Ivan Nova to fill a need.

If they do that then they would need 2 more starters vs just the one they could use now. Seems most teams need to have at least 8-9 starters in the system to have a chance at making it thru the season with injuries and all...

That would be nice. There are other players on the team that could use a semi- day off in the DH position .(Beltran ,Tex ) But we know he can't be moved . The Yanks would still have to eat a mouthful of his salary . He barely can handle the DH role so any NL team would be out of the question.

The Rangers just signed a versatile guy Justin Ruggiano (RHed batter)they plan to use as a platoon player in the OF. This is so Choo and Hamilton (LHed batters) have a few more days off during the season, and the team would have a better balanced lineup against the LHed pitching... IIRC they faced LHed starters about 70 times and had about a .500 record against them...

They also traded for a guy to do the same thing in the IF (if he can make the team out of Spring training) and that's Patrick Kivlehan. They're also hoping he can furnish some RHed power in the lineup. He can give Beltre, Fielder and Moreland days off when they need them...

I don't think playing a guy all 162 games is necessary or a good thing. They're just like us in that we need days off from work need that mental break, so do they. I would rather have them play 140-145 and be at the top of their game, than dragging ass late in the season when a playoff run may be needed, fading out altogether come playoff time, that's "IF" they make the playoffs...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14439393/mlb-strange-true-postseason-feats-2015

Thought you guys might be interested in this...

Our rumors roundup continues with news on another prominent outfielder still on the market: ▪ Justin Upton: The Texas Rangers are interested in Upton, but only on a one-year contract, tweets Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Upton is still seeking a longer deal, but a one-year contract could be an option down the road if the market remains stalled. Upton is just 28 and coming off a sub-par year in San Diego (.251/.336/.445). He could add to his value with a big 2016 season and re-enter the weaker free-agent outfield market next winter.

Didn't know if you've seen this or not...

Knew the interest was there. But can they afford even a one year contract?

There are a lot of good OFers in the same predicament as he is, not enough teams available for all the big names available. And Upton is doing a Cruz wanting a mega long term deal. This will turn a lot of teams off because of his performance last year and he could go unsigned for quite a bit longer. Their payroll is down $11M from last year and I can see him getting antsy so I would say yes they could do it...

BTA I can also see them going after another RHed pitcher so no matter how you look at it they will have to spend some more money or make a trade or two...

But will they do anything before the season starts that's the biggest question mark, they may very well wait until the trade deadline...

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas- rangers/article53378635.html

A little bit more information.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14549212/no-end-sight-justin-upton-free-agent-adventure

Now I can see why people aren't falling over themselves to offer Upton a contract, at least not one that he thinks should go with all the hype surrounding him...

Rangers pitchers and catchers report 19 Feb. Rest of the squad 24 Feb. Baseball 2016 just around the corner. :)

2 days before Daytona cool. That's usually the timeframe where the cold weather starts to break up here and you know Spring is just a few weeks away...

2 days before Daytona cool. That's usually the timeframe where the cold weather starts to break up here and you know Spring is just a few weeks away...

We really have not had much cold here in Central Texas this winter so far. I'm sure we will get a few days here and there near freezing but think we only had one day under 32F here at night.

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/01/13/rangers-monitor-workout-cricket-player-seeking-career-change?f=r

Thought you might find this interesting...

Now I know why I haven't seen Chris Sabo lately he's hiding out in Florida, lucky dog...

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/161749778/rangers-have-seven-file-for-salary-arbitration

Another minor update, will be interesting to see how much Moreland gets considering the year he had...

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/01/15/rangers-give-hefty-raise-chirinos

Another small update looks like they're going to give Scheppers another chance to get his act back together. If he can they will conceivably have the best and deepest pen in the majors, contrary to what all the talking heads are claiming...

You know I got to thinking about a RHed bat for the OF and found out something interesting, Profar has played some OF before... Hmmmmmm... (But this only works if his shoulder is sound)...

Remember that??? LOL...

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/01/25/rangers-consider-profar-outfield-needed

Guess we have to be more active on this thread now that Banny is back to work and needs our advice.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14691950/new-york-yankees-1b-greg-bird-suffers-shoulder-injury-miss-season

Have either of you seen this yet???

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14691950/new-york-yankees-1b-greg-bird-suffers-shoulder-injury-miss-season

yes a major blow to the Yank plans . "Bird could return by the end of the 2016 season, but that scenario would be very unlikely."

I would not even advise attempting it . He was not going to start at 1st base this year as long as Tex was healthy .

I doubt if they have anyone adequate in the minors who can fill in long term if Tex goes down. They were probably going to leave Bird in the minors this season until Tex inevidibly goes down. Headly can play 1st ....but he is locked in at 3rd. OF Dustin Ackley can fill in also . The Yanks need to make a move .

I doubt if they have anyone adequate in the minors who can fill in long term if Tex goes down. They were probably going to leave Bird in the minors this season until Tex inevidibly goes down. Headly can play 1st ....but he is locked in at 3rd. OF Dustin Ackley can fill in also . The Yanks need to make a move .

Well the Rangers have a solution. I think Elvis Andrus can play 1B if needed. Pick up his horrible contract and you have a deal! :)

Well the Rangers have a solution. I think Elvis Andrus can play 1B if needed. Pick up his horrible contract and you have a deal! :)

of course !! because the Yanks need another lousy contract on their payroll !!!

Well the Rangers have a solution. I think Elvis Andrus can play 1B if needed.

It would be nice if he played "left out"...

of course !! because the Yanks need another lousy contract on their payroll !!!

You know if they approached Ilitch he might go for taking on his contract, he's spending money left and right to try and win a WS before he kicks the bucket...

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/02/06/handicapping- texas-rangers-bullpen-locks-pitchers-worth-watching-long-shots

The line up looks solid and should keep Kela's arm from falling off.

The rotation is still a concern.

The rotation is still a concern.

Well it does look a little better than it did last year but yes it still does need some attention. I see they're kicking the tires in Lincecum and maybe Cliff Lee but that's about it.

I also see maybe a run at Gallardo at the beginning of the season if he's still available or another starter at the trade deadline with Evis as part of the deal... :)

LOL already looking for Evis deals. Me too!

Get rid of his contract and they could afford another good starting pitcher. They have 2 guys in the minors to fill that spot at a fraction of the price as you well know...

Get rid of his contract and they could afford another good starting pitcher. They have 2 guys in the minors to fill that spot at a fraction of the price as you well know...

Indeed a no brainer but our problem is no takers.

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/165009806/

Way to keep him on ice for a few months.

Even though they have a really deep BP now it still may not be enough if a couple of the starters can't get the job done. They could be seriously overworked (like last year) and Scheppers could be a life saver if he regains his stuff. I'm pretty sure it was knee issues that screwed up last year for him so this should/could cure what ails him...

I'm pretty sure it was knee issues that screwed up last year for him so this should/could cure what ails him...

I still have Wandy's comment in the back of my mind. The one where he said he had issues with the Globe Life mound.

I still have Wandy's comment in the back of my mind. The one where he said he had issues with the Globe Life mound.

I've heard the same thing a few years ago from CJ I think it was, I'm curious as to what makes it so weird? Too hard, too steep a drop, not enough drop???

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/03/14/rangers- trim-roster-surprises

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers removed five players from the major league spring-training roster on Monday. Outfielder Patrick Kivlehan, left-hander Yohander Mendez and right-handers Jose Leclerc, and Connor Sadzeck were optioned back to the minor-league camp. The club released non-roster right-hander Steve Johnson, the only member of the group with major league experience. Johnson never got going. In his last two appearances, he could not finish his inning and allowed eight runs in 1 1/3 innings.

http://www.onestrikeaway.com/index/2016/3/24/how-ian-desmond-could-give-josh- hamilton-playing-time

If they do this then who is going to leadoff? I can think of 3 different people as of this moment but would like to see one of those I'm thinking of stay in the 2nd slot...

Not a bad assessment though.