D

Randy Galloway is an idiot. He says that passing on Porcello for Beavan was “big mistake” based on early returns and that Beavan is still in low A. The moron doesn’t even realize he got called up today. Moreover, as Jamey N. correctly pointed out, the Rangers had to budget for 5 picks in the 1st/Supp round. I think its easy to understand why they didn’t take Porcello. Finally, who’s to say if Beavan was up right now he wouldn’t be pitching as well as Porcello? Probably wouldn’t but Porcello has his games where gets knocked around.

The media sux in this town. Thank goodness for guys like Evan (even though we have to endure his shirts).

When Galloway was a columnist and a part-time radio guy back on WBAP, he did not need to be so controversial. Now, with a couple of columns a week, his main gig is too many hours of ESPN radio. He has to stir people up to get the calls because the market is so full of competition. Galloway is the Rush Limbaugh of the Metroplex sports.

I wish we had him in Detroit. He may be an idiot but he is entertaining.

Dave in Cleburne,

Agreed that his act is tired, forced and fake, but I only listen once a month or so via computer these days. I moved up here 8 years ago and I only tune in when my son-in-law tips me off that something big is going on. Our local sports scene has become as much about “man” issues as sports, which is a real turn-off at my age.

I still like Galloway’s columns which I read periodically on-line. I really like Jim Reeves and his more humble, down-to-earth approach.

Great play by Kins!

Millwood is starting off the game great!

Josh really can make some ridiculous statements. I don’t believe that the Rangers picked Ruben Sierra’s son “sixth overall” in the draft; he was their 6th pick.

6th round

@dc: thanks!

OK. It was 6th round AND the Rangers’ 6th pick.

CD shaved his moustache.

I agree on Teagarden catching Holland

@evan: Oswalt would be great! Maybe if we sweep them in the next series we play, that might help to emphasize the point.

Kinsler has to quit trying to hit homers

@scooper: I think to put together a package for a real ace, you are going to have to be willing to part with one of those three. Just think that’s the price you are going to have to be willing to pay. But, in saying that, I think very few teams have been willing to give up such a high level prospect in recent years (although this season the White Sox were willing to part with Aaron Poreda for Jake Peavy). Maybe the Rangers can wow the Astros with sheer numbers.

@evan: that’s what I would hope for. they need a lot and we have a lot.

yellow and green jawbreaker=very funny.

@alan- Pudge is catching for them

I was at the Astro/Pirates game last saturday with Oswalt on the mound. His velocity is off and I am wondering if he has the WBC disease.

This might not be the right year to trade prospects.

@evan: I’ve never actually seen Feliz pitch. Does he have good movement on the fastball?

Way to go, Elvis!

@scooper: Fastball is reportedly pretty straight.

@scooper- of course if they hadn’t added those seats…

Great catch by Elvis and nice assist by fan

That fan actually held up Elvis’ glove arm. If that hadn’t happened, he probably would have lowered the arm in an attempt to get his balance. If the arm lowered and the ump lost sight of the glove, there is a decent chance that he wouldn’t have called the out.

Milwoods ERA last 5 years
2005 2.86
06 4.52
07 5.16
08 5.07
09 2.80
anyone see the problem

Oh, about the fan, they really didn’t say much.

@DC: Contract year syndrome?

Wonder if Arizona would think about trading Haren, would we want him, and what might the price be?

Great play by MY! Excellent stretch by CD!

CD has saved so many plays this year to bad he can’t get the bat right

Jones has really cooled off…

@jcouch: we are not talking about just trading Feliz for anyone, only in a trade for a true “ace”. In my book, Oswalt qualifies. Cliff Lee and Matt Cain do not.

@jcouch: and my preference still would be not to trade Feliz. I go back to the fact that Nolan is impressed by him and that alone would make me want to keep him.

@Bill: Yes, meant Angels. Fixed. Hat-tip to you.

Plus Oswalt still has a few good years ahead of him

@littleo: I agree. I would love to see Oswalt in a Rangers uniform.

Think Millwood comes back out for the 8th? I suspect so, only 91 pitches?

@beerguy: I think he’ll be back in the 8th. if the 8th goes quickly, maybe even the ninth.

@scooper: How on earth does Lee not qualify as an ace?

The guy won the Cy Young last year by posting a 2.54 ERA and only 34 walks in 223.1 IP. This year he is on pace for 48 walks in 234 IP and a 3.16 ERA. He is left handed. He is under control for another year. His fielding independent ERA (FIP) is 3.17 this season and 2.92 in 2008.

If you put Lee on this team, with our defense, he would be a tremendous addition. I think that if we add Cliff Lee and Hamilton/Francisco come back healthy, we could not only make the playoffs, but really do some damage.

And on Lee, I would absolutely deal Feliz or Smoak plus another player or two in order to acquire Cliff Lee.

He would give this team a legitimate, ace-caliber starter for this season and next. It would also all but set our rotation next season with Lee, Millwood, Feldman, Holland, and Harrison. That looks pretty tremendous, to me.

@stephenR: my fault! I haven’t paid a lot of attention to Lee since he started the season off so badly. And since the Cy Young year came after a bad year, and he had not been consistently good before that, I was viewing the Cy Young year as the blip on the radar. In my book, to be an “ace” you need a track record of doing it year after year. If he is indeed pitching like you say he is, then I would possibly consider him an ace. Still, though, that’s only 2 years. Another thing that I am unsure about is his age, and that would help my evaluation of him. How old is he?

He’s 30. Checked his stats and he has had two very good years, with everything else being average to above average. He has a really good BB/K ratio, but an average WHIP.

I think he’s a very good pitcher, but I’m not sure I’d put him in the “elite” category. He’s still probably better than anything we have currently, though.

Rangers scouts really did great job in 2007 draft. They just posted projected top 10 for 2010 draft and it included two rangers that were drafted in 2007 in the 11th and 12th round. They are also projected as being the top RH and LH college pitchers next year. Even with us paying over slot and getting most guys, it just goes to show you paying for talented projecteable arms out of high school can pay dividends down the road.

Drew Pomeranz, LHP, Mississippi: The lefty was the ace of the Ole Miss staff as a sophomore, going 8-4 with a 3.40 ERA over 16 starts. He struck out 124 and walked just 37 over 95 1/3 innings of work. He got Ole Miss to a Super Regional by tossing a complete game with 16 strikeouts against Western Kentucky. The Rangers took him in the 12th round of the ’07 Draft and he’s now perhaps the best college lefty to look out for in 2010.

Anthony Ranaudo, RHP, LSU: When Ranaudo was taken in the 11th round of the ’07 Draft by Rangers, he was all projection and arm strength, but didn’t have much more than the fastball. He’s 6-foot-7, so there was a lot to dream on, but he opted to go to work on his pitching at LSU. After not pitching all that much as a freshman (he had some elbow tendinitis), he took off this year, going 10-3 with a 2.95 ERA, striking out 147 over 109 2/3 IP and keeping hitters to a .198 average. Watch the College World Series if you want to glimpse at perhaps the best college right-hander in next year’s Draft class.

I was counting 2005 and last year.

Lee is 30. But then again, Oswalt is 31.

To me, the Rangers are in a pretty awesome position. They could deal Feliz and still have a very deep pitching system, with Holland, Harrison, Feldman, McCarthy, Main, Perez, Purke, Scheppers, Kiker, Beavan, etc.

They have incredible depth at most positions on the field, and Hamilton, Kinsler, Young, Davis, Saltalamacchia, Cruz, and Andrus will be with the team for many years to come.

They are in first place and might be one impact player away from being world series contenders. Dealing Feliz or Smoak would hurt, but this organization is pretty stacked from top to bottom. If dealing one of our top players is the difference between being world series contenders the next few years, I say it is worth it!

There might be some disagreement as to whether Lee is that player. But I have been convinced that, given his ERA over the last two years, he is for real. I think he could bring this team to the next level, even more so than Oswalt. I also think Lee will be available while Oswalt or Cain might not.

I don’t think Millwood goes 9. I’m voting for the bullpen in the 9th.

Evan’s right – we don’t need a SP to make playoffs, but without that ace, i don’t think we have a shot once in. You really need to have two. Millwood is resembling one.

I’m not interested in oswalt. the guy is country dumb and tends to get lit up. I prefer Cliff Lee. 3 Rs or fewer in 6 of last 7 starts. much cheaper than oswalt.

I guess I’m just an Oswalt guy. I love his temperment and tenacity, as well as his talent. I would love to have out young pitchers learning from him. And I think, with our prospects, we might be able to get him. I wouldn’t turn lee down, but I would be willing to give up more for Oswalt and I would rather deal with the NL.

On Lee: I think that it is worth noting that his WHIP is a little deceiving.

He still has had tremendous control this year. He has just allowed a lot of base hits. But according to stats like FIP, which factor in the quality of a pitchers defense, Lee has been an ace caliber pitcher (3.17 FIP). For comparison sake, most Ranger pitchers far outperform their FIPs, because we have the best defense in baseball.

If you put Lee on this team, his ERA would probably be UNDER 3.00. He would be even better than Millwood, and Millwood/Lee would be a great top of the rotation.

O’Day does it again!

I’d be fine with Lee, plus that would give the Rangers one player from my home state (Ark.)

I’d be ok with Oswalt, too, but I think I’d give up a bit less in that case (age + ability).

@evan doesn’t feliz have the most upside of any of the young arms? Why not dangle kiker and main?

I think I’m sick of seeing pop ups. Can someone, anyone please hit a grounder?

@evan: I’d have O’Day start the 9th, then let C.J. finish it against the lefties.

@evan: if your true “closer” is available, you have him start the inning period. But Frankie isn’t available, so you mix and match. C.J. is not your closer, so the game situation, rather than his confidence, should dictate your moves.

@Little O: As I said before, if McLane ever realizes the present and future of the Astros are pitiful, then he might change his mind. Oswalt is the guy I’d target right now.

el duque may end up getting more wins in the second half for the rangers cause he’ll do what it takes to get there…….jones was a nice salvage job and the duque could smell sweet………

@JackDaddy: since I do not know oswalt personally, I suppose I will have to bow to your buddy’s judgment.

i think it depends on the $$ circumstances. If the team is desparate to shed payroll, I would think that they very well may take an offer that doesn’t involve more thank kiker and main as headliners. But that’s just my opinion. Evan is the man on this stuff. Unfortunately, that doesn’t include Lee. His contract is friendly. I don’t think that applies to Oswalt either.

I’m concerned about our lack of hitting heading into the LA series. They have very good pitching it seems…

I think I’d leave O’Day in, but that’s just me.

So, all you need to get a job is some Just For Men in your hair?

I’ll have to remember it.

All I know is Oswalt can pitch with very little support from the offense and he’s a fighter.

Shocking

@littleO and beer guy: I agree. I go back to saying that I love his temperment, tenacity and talent (the 3 T’s are very important to me!).

Hello win column

YES!!!

@Stephen r I’m not interested in cliff lee for any top prospects, just my opinion

Go rangers!!!

Great game tonight.
Yall have a good one!

Cliff Lee is too much of a flyball guy for my tastes.

Enjoyed the DMN Rangers chat. I like Durrett, but he is vanilla. Tonight had a bit more spice.

@all: Let’s revisit Oswalt/Lee/others either in the morning or this weekend in a separate post.

@Fred: We’re glad you are here, whether you come visit before, during or after the game. But we’d love to have you stick around with us all night long.