SMquote:
Remains to be seen if Harrison ever pitches again... but his contract only goes up from here, not down. $13M for each of 2015-2017, $2M buyout for 2018.
Insurance will help on the cost of Harrison. That will be the relief.
mhaydenquote:
Harrison - Will he even pitch again?
I'm not counting on him ever pitching again. I think that is most likely the result.
Pena was certainly signed out of desperation. Snyder is a liability, certainly.
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The big problem with 2014 is not just that everything went wrong with 2014, but that it suddenly decimated the Rangers long-term plans as well. They were sitting pretty the next few years with a rotation of Darvish/Holland/Harrison/Perez, Choo producing, Fielder raking and the top prospect in baseball at 2B.
I agree mostly, which is why I suggested 2015 may be lost, as well.
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Not trying to play chicken-little here, but I don't think many casual fans have realized what happened in 2014 may very well have set the franchise back 3 years.
I wouldn't say 3 years... but certainly it affects 2015 and could push into 2016. It gives you a deer in the headlights concern about long-term positioning. We've now burned 2 years of Tepesch. The clock has started on Sardinas, Odor and Martinez. Guys supposed to be at AA.
Harrison - Gone forever
Holland - Should be fine in 2015... He was headed in the right direction and has jumped some hurdles.
Perez - He is likely a 2016 hopeful. He will return to throwing in May 2015... give him a year after that.
Thing is... by 2016, we are starting to look at Luke Jackson and Chi-Chi Gonzalez.
The rotation is always a work in progress. Having Darvish is nice. Nick Martinez seems to be where Harrison was at the same age. As Mike Maddux indicated quoting an old Dodgers' pitching coach, "there are two kinds pitchers. Those that have had surgery and those who will have surgery." Texas as a stable set of hopefuls. They won't all work out, but several making way through the system. In fact, I read where the Rangers have implemented a system wide (below AAA) directive limiting SPs. Everyone was limited to a 75 PC limit for one game and a 90 PC limit for the next. That is a good thing, IMO. The tendency is to keep pushing them, out of need.
I don't know about the hitters:
Martin: Played in 73 of 76 games. I don't see platoon... I see Wash getting a guy (Robertson) some ABs (22GP\46 AB).
Fielder: Certainly he will be better than Snyder\Moreland\Pena.
Choo: I think this whole shuffle has affect him. He is .190 hitting third (.273 OBP). .269 batting 1st (.409 OBP). During the game last night they indicatd he has expanded his strike zone... I don't recall exactly what they said, but something like the 2nd largest expansion of any player this season. I think it would be easy to attribute that to trying to step up with production.
Texas is in a bad place. They also have the fortune of telling some of these players they have an opportunity to earn a spot in 2015.
We have a month to determine if:
Do we have SP within: Martinez and Tepesch could earn a long-term role. Can Holland make an impact.
Can Odor continue to hit .300?
Can Profar be healthy for 2015?
Can Fielder return for 2015?
That will determine if 2015 is a go, or not.
I think that is what hinges for 2015. For there to be a longer term impact we'll have to see some of the prospects either get traded or falter (Buckel)
Beltre has earned his money. He has 2015 ($18M) commited, likely vesting in 2016 ($16M). Can he remain healthy? We have a role at DH waiting for him.
Rangers have $109M committed in 2015
Rangers have $89.6M committed in 2016
That means you can structure a Shields contract at the backend of the contract.
If they believe Gallo and\or Ryu are 2016 options at 3B, you move Beltre (or Fielder) to DH.
Knowing we could have an IF of Gallo\Profar\Odor\Fielder in 2016 is equally concerning and encouraging. And cheap.
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If we're competitive in 2015 then:
I agree on your options.
Not likely:
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A) Texas is a Top 5 team payroll
or
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B) Texas farm system has proven to be as good as advertised.
I think Odor affirms that, already. But as mentioned... we'll need more help
or
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C) JD pulls off some very shrewd moves at the 2014 deadline and in the off-season.
The last one could be an "and" instead of an "or." Meaning we could see both of the last two.
The Halos are looking for a LH RP (Cotts) and potentially a closer (Soria). Could be one place to find diamonds.
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So while the franchise has certainly been set back, ownership, management and scouting have at least put them in a position to still field a competitive team.
Agreed.
