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If Chris Davis Is in, Who is out?

Posted on August 25th, 2009 9:47am by Evan Grant
Filed under Baseball, Contests and Promotions, Roster report, Texas Rangers

The Rangers are expected to officially recall 1B Chris Davis from Triple-A Oklahoma City today. The flip side of that move is they are going to have to remove somebody from the 25-man roster either by a DL move, optioning a player to the minors or flat out releasing somebody. Here’s a look at the possible choices. And here is where you can vote for who is likely to lose his spot. Try not to let personal frustrations get involved in your vote. Think of what you may need in September and what gives you the most roster flexibility. (Note: All players are listed in alphabetical order.)

1B Hank Blalock: He has the lowest on-base percentage in the AL (.274) and is next-to-last in the majors, ahead of Cincinnati’s Willy Taveras by a single point. He’s hitting .199 since the All-Star break. They are ugly numbers. He’s about to be displaced at first by Davis. He’s going to be a free agent. And his left-handed DH spot could very possibly be filled by Julio Borbon. All those factors would suggest its possible the Rangers would cut ties with Blalock prematurely. The problem is that such a move would be devastating to the clubhouse. In the clubhouse, only Ivan Rodriguez and Michael Young have played more games for the Rangers than Blalock. Plus, he’s still got some pop in his bat (see the 23 homers) and would be valuable as a bench bat for the playoffs or insurance in case Davis continues to struggle at the major league level.

OF Julio Borbon: From an experience perspective, this would be the guy. Had he not gone completely bonkers at the plate and on the bases, he might have been sent out when OF Nelson Cruz was activated from the DL last week. But Borbon, a left-handed hitter, hasn’t been playing against lefties and the Rangers figure to face them about half the time between now and when Borbon could be recalled from the minors on Sept. 4. He hasn’t been playing against lefties. So, the question they must answer is whether Borbon is valuable enough to keep as a part-time player through the next 10 days.

RHP Jason Jennings: For a team that has played the entire season with either seven or eight relievers in the bullpen, dropping to six even for a week seems risky, but if the Rangers are willing to take that chance, placing Jennings on the DL might be an option. For one, the Rangers have a rested bullpen thanks to Scott Feldman’s seven innings on Sunday and the recuperative powers of an off day on Monday. Jennings hasn’t pitched since August 20, so his placement on the DL could be retroactive to the 21st and he’d be eligible to be eligible on Sept. 5. The Rangers can expand rosters on Sept. 1 and you can expect RHP Willie Eyre will be back then. The Rangers could also skip RHP Dustin Nippert on Wednesday (thanks to Monday’s off day) and move him to the bullpen for a week, effectively giving them seven relievers. But pitching coach Mike Maddux might prefer to have all his starters get an extra day of rest, rather than shorten the rotation for a turn. And, besides, it would only buy you until Saturday before you would need the spot again.

DH Andruw Jones: He would seem to be the most likely candidate because he’s slumped badly at the plate in August and has no position to play. But the Rangers don’t want to release a right-handed power bat with as much playoff experience as Jones has. Fortunately, there is a legitimate injury option that could lead to a DL assignment. Jones has been playing with a strained hamstring for much of the month. If he goes on the DL today, he’d be eligible to return on Sept. 9. And, yes, he’d be eligible for the playoff roster. Perhaps what Jones could use most right now is a little rest. A couple of weeks off might just get him refreshed for the sprint to the playoffs and make him a valuable DH option against left-handed pitching.

RHP Doug Mathis: This would seem to be the most unlikely scenario. Mathis has proved himself to be a valuable member of the bullpen as a middle and long guy. He’s been more effective than Jennings lately and the only reason to take him off the 25-man roster would be because he has options left. That’s often reason enough. Playing from behind in a playoff race, however, it’s most important to have the 25 best players at your disposal at all times. It’s hard to imagine that Mathis isn’t one of the Rangers’ 25 best options right now.

62 Comments to “If Chris Davis Is in, Who is out?”

Gunter @ August 25th, 2009 at 9:57 am

Give me Jones, he simply doesnt have a role on this team right now, especially with Borbon having been as effective as he had. Put him on the 15 day so you have him during the chase, if for some reason you need him.
Brent @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:01 am

Jones
Andrew in Boston @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:03 am

I agree Jones should go. However, that leaves the Ranger’s bench with two of Murphy/Borbon/ Blalock, a righty catcher and Omar (switch) on the bench. I don’t really like the pinch hitting options against a left handed pitcher, especially if Pudge is starting.
ebennett @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:05 am

1. Jones
2. Jones
3. Jones
jeffrey wood @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:06 am

JONES if Jennings on DL like Eddie!!!
Chris @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:07 am

Jones. Jones. Jones.
Thomas @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:09 am

Jones.

No. question. about. it.
steven Hecht @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:11 am

Sorry, but I would rather see AJ come up to pinch hit if needed late in a game versus seeing Eddie pitching at ANY time. He hasn’t gotten anyone out all year. Put Eddie on the DL so he can travel with the club and continue to mentor the younger pitchers. Eddie doesn’t get anyone out anymore, please, no more Eddie.
Evan Grant @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:11 am

@Steven: Guardado is currently on the DL.
horsedooty @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:13 am

as much as I would like to agree that it will be Jones, I don’t think that will happen. He is, after all, one of RW’s favorites. Ron likes vets.
James @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:19 am

Jones to the DL
Seanathan @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:24 am

Unfortunately, we must all remember who is managing the team on the field. Borbon will go back to the minors, even though it would be smart for him to have some “shoulder irritation” and go on the DL for a couple of weeks so that he could be available for the playoffs. Jones is the “veteran presence” that Warsh loves to have. Forget the fact that he has no plate recognition right now and it doesn’t appear as though he has the bat speed at the moment to compensate.

@Evan: Are we completely sure that a player on the 15-day DL prior to September 1 is still eligible for the playoff roster?
john in clearwater @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:25 am

Evan -

When is Eddie coming off the DL? If it’s prior to 9/1, the Rangers will have another decision to make then, too. My vote is not even on the list – DL Blalock with a sore hamstring incurred during pregrame sprints.
JWise @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:26 am

“Playing from behind in a playoff race, however, it’s most important to have the 25 best players at your disposal at all times.”
…. you can’t get rid of Borbon then. The only reason you could make a case for AJ is what was already said, about his power and experience, or his ability to draw BB’s. It’s gotta be a move to the DL. We need our speed against the Yankees, Pettitte and Burnett get run on.
Jonathan Wright @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:29 am

I know Jennings isn’t the best when he is healthy (understatement), but he didn’t look right in his last two appearances. I’m thinking it might be like C.J. last year, where he is just playing hurt and it makes him a terrible reliever.
Chad @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:29 am

With rosters expanding in a week, I don’t think you release anyone. You never know who you might need in September. I think you put Andruw on the DL, and let Pudge get some of his DH at bats. Like Evan said, then he’ll be fresh for the stretch run, when you can expand rosters anyway.
Jeremy @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:33 am

@ John, Why would they pull Eddie off of the DL before September 1? He is eligible for the postseason already and I don’t see a reason to rush him just to make one less person ineligible for the postseason.
Nolan @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:34 am

Jones to the DL makes the most sense. I’ll email Jon and go down to the smoking dock and let Ron know..
Jack Daddy @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:35 am

With Pudge here, my vote would be the release of Jones. Power righty bat off the bench is the biggest hole in this organization right now, but AJ wasn’t giving that to you anyway. If he was playing like he did in June, I would say DL him or release Hank (the clubhouse wants to win, you just have to have a man to man with them and tell them it was Borbon or Hank and you think Borbon gives you the best chance to win NOW, which is what they (MY – come on, that’s really what we’re talking about here when we say clubhouse effect, right? Let’s be honest) have been harping about for years. They can’t have it both ways. I have no use for Jennings, but even if you released him, you would need to pull up another releaver. You can’t play with a 6 man pen facing the Yankees and Twins, two teams that will work over starting pitchers and chase them from games.
Chadb @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:42 am

Jones to DL. He can barely run.
john in clearwater @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:44 am

Jeremy -

When Guardado’s 15 days are up, something has to be done. I just don’t know if it’s before 9/1 or after.
Jack Daddy @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:44 am

Time to brag on my 7 year old. Told him last night at dinner that Chris was being brought back today. He said that was great, he played really well against NYY this year. I said, yeah, your’e right he had a good series in up there. Then he said, “but he had an even bigger series here. Remember that Tuesday after Memorial Day when he hit 2 home runs?”

How does he rememmber that?

Proud Dad signing off.
Jack Daddy @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:45 am

John – a player can be kept on 15 day longer than 15 days.
dj @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:45 am

The obvious answer is Jones to the DL (especially if he’ll still be playoff elgible), but, with a rested bullpen, I wouldn’t be surprised if they started the NY series with a 6 man bullen…wouldn’t have to make a decision on AJ for another day or two (until they needed the 7th arm).
Jack Daddy @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:47 am

@chad – agree with you. Just wonder if Jones would argue against a DL move. There has to be some legitimacy to the injury. However, we have been hearing about a sore hamstring for 2 months.

The only argument agaisnt such a move is you are setting yourself up for some locker room drama as the playoffs are starting if you leave Jones off then. He is popular in this clubhouse. Do you really want to deal with that distraction as you are getting ready to play NYY in October? Maybe better to rip that bandaid off now.
Meat @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:56 am

Jones.

In all fairness, I think the Rangers kind of owe it to Hank to keep him here the rest of the year. He’s been a trooper thru some crappy years. There’s got to be some loyalty for that. I understand the business though and know that’s not always the case.
Jon @ August 25th, 2009 at 10:56 am

Evan,

When I suggested this a couple of days ago i thought we agreed that this was to ghoulish a poll.

I guess we are somewhat closer to Halloween……………
Rossometown @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:00 am

If we didn’t have him, or if he was on the DL, I would activate or sign Jones, just so he would be the guy.
Chad @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:06 am

If he’s not hitting, then I don’t think you have any drama about leaving him off the playoff roster when you get there. If he goes on the DL and comes back and gets hot, then you have another option for a playoff roster. As far as putting him on the DL, he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter. If he doesn’t want to go, then tell him goodbye. I personally don’t think he would object to a DL stint over an outright release. You can tell by watching him run that he’s not 100%. Personally, I think Andruw is a great guy to keep around even if he’s on the DL. I’ve noticed him during games, and he’s always over by Wash & Jackie Moore or coaching up young players. I think he would be a good coach or manager one day. With him on the DL, Vizquel & Pudge all around with playoff experience, it’s like having 3 more coaches to mentor these young guys. Just my opinion.
alan in SA @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:16 am

The obvious answer to this question is Jones, even though it’ll break Evan’s heart. If you really think he’s got value over the next 6 weeks, just DL him. I’d ship his ass to Mongolia.
Evan Grant @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:21 am

@Jon: What’s ghoulish on Sunday, sometimes makes more sense on Tuesday. Didn’t want to report the news and then say, “OK, who is out of here on the same day.”

@Alan in SA: If the Rangers DL or release Jones, it won’t break my heart. I just think the guy is a better player than you do. And the Mongolian season is already over. It’s a short-season league.
Jon @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:27 am

@ Evan: I know that; just messing with you a bit. Plus I liked my Halloween spin.
Ranger_Rick @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:28 am

I agree with Chad, Jones to the DL, his clubhouse presence helps.
Tsing Sao @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:28 am

JONES
Nolan @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:33 am

It was a better world before snow monkeys and emoticons..
Ehren @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:36 am

they’ve got to DL AJ or JJ. IF AJ doesn’t want the DL then I don’t think there would be as much bad feelings about AJ getting the axe as there would be Hank (from a MY perspective). Gotta love initials!
alan in SA @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:38 am

Evan, my bad on the Mongolian season mistake. Don’t know what I was thinking
gordosan @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:43 am

I don’t see it being a pitcher. Our starters are tired and showing it. If we were going to option Borbon, that would have happened yesterday to start the clock ticking on when he could be recalled. Basically leaves Blalock and Jones. I think Daniels is shopping Blalock for a sack of salt, but if he can’t dump him then Jones to the DL is the most likely.
Dalbumo @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:52 am

I say Blalock to DL, to me Jones’s bat is way more valuable coming off bench. At least if they try to pitch around him AJ will take a walk, instead of hacking away.
bertie @ August 25th, 2009 at 11:59 am

i’m still flabbergasted at how blalock peaked at the age of 23. he was WAY better at the plate then. it’s not even close. i know injuries played a role, but still.

similar story with jones. how does a guy go from being a great athlete in the NL (and winning gold gloves to prove it) to being a guy who can hardly run the bases? you would think he was 42, not 32.

as for my vote, i went with jones. i would rather put him on the dl, but that’s fine if they release him
Dan-drus @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:09 pm

@bertie

There’s one obvious explanation for why Hank’s production peaked in 2004.
bertie @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:13 pm

yeah and that might also explain some of the injury issues, but i would prefer to believe he has been clean since his name has never come up
rsquared @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

Bertie: If you think really hard, you might come up with an explanation, and it’s usually injected.
S. Arcasm @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:20 pm

I’d like to see video of Blalock’s swing a few years ago before he was hurt and when he hurt for a higher average. I bet it wasn’t this swinging from the heels as hard as possible trying to jack every pitch. His swing has changed along with this approach and that is what is causing this bad year he is having.
Jose Can-fake-o @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:21 pm

y’all are steppin’ on my toes..
gordosan @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:23 pm

Jones never recovered from his knee injury. Very common to see chronic hamstring injuries after knee surgery.

Hopefully, we caught Harrison’s and Salt’s TOS early enough that it doesn’t limit their careers the way it seems to have cut Blalock’s short. We will need to put Salt through a stress test of multiple games to be certain that all he needs was rehab, or it rest is just masking the syndrome. Much better for him to have surgery in the off-season than to recur early next year.
CR @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pm

Jones, no reason to let guys go until you absolutely have to (unless there are 40-man considerations and that isn’t the case.) If you DL Jones then you can make a decision again in two weeks. What if someone gets Thoracic Outlet Sydrom between now and when Jones comes off the DL if that is the choice JD makes…you haven’t lost anyone then.

@Jack Daddy: Let’s get to October before we start figuring out how to handle everything then. Let’s not get the cart in front of the horse.

@Bertie: Every post like yours has to bring up three initials – PED’s. It’s not as if the Rangers are lacking in the “guys that might have used” category over the years. I love Blalock and always have (although I can’t stand to see him in a game right now), but it wouldn’t surprise me at all to find out he used. Andruw Jones no surprise there either if that news ever broke. Guys allegedly juicing and skyrocketing and then plunging to the ground when their bodies break down is all over the baseball landscape. Is it that surprising that Jones plunging back to Earth coincides with drug testing? I think not…
Section 339 @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

Jones for a thousand Alex.
NTC-Brendan @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:32 pm

Blalock unless there is the possibility of a home-town discount to resign him next year (better be a damn deep discount since he will be a backup infielder and occasional DH).
alan @ August 25th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

Jennings or Blalock and as a side note how about Rudy?
Dr. Jerry Graham @ August 25th, 2009 at 1:07 pm

Lots of guys come back from TOS. I think S. Arcasm is spot on. It would be cool to look at some old tapes of Blalock. His appraoch right now stinks. Can’t deny the power, but the inconsistency is amazing for a veteran player.
Iram01 @ August 25th, 2009 at 1:09 pm

Jones. The only problem will be if we need someone to hit into a double play and kill a late inning rally. Oh right, Blalock is still available. Jones can go.
Rangers Fan @ August 25th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

@alan…Right there with you. I don’t think Rudy has the ability to work the kinks out with young players, ie: Chris Davis. I also listened to the Rangers podcast today and they were discussing something that worried me. Wash’s and Rudy’s lack of trust in Cruz and overtrust in Jones. Just don’t get it.
Tom B @ August 25th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

It seems logical that one reason to wait this long to announce is because a consensus has not been reached. Not everyone is on board with what has been proposed. Either they are looking to sell or trade or fear DFA. Another Padilla to get someone across the line would not be cool if in fact that is what happens with The Dodgers and Padilla.
I don’t think Wash wants to let anyone go.
Dr. Jerry Graham @ August 25th, 2009 at 1:38 pm

I want to jump on the Rudy sucks bandwagon. Very disturbing comments i.e. Jones/Cruz. Totally unbelievable, but I guess they do have to believe and in a pennant stretch veterans hold some sway.
Rangers Fan @ August 25th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

Jones has been downright bad the last 2 years..better this year than last, but nothing to write home about. How do you trust a washed up vet more than a now all-star?
scooper @ August 25th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Jones. DL him for 15 days now. He is still eligible for the playoff roster. Teams carry fewer pitchers in the post-season due to off-days, so that leaves room for a couple of extra position players. AJ, Hank, Chris, Julio – they can all play.
Tim Raub @ August 25th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

I think Blaylock and Jones caught the “Strike-out or Homer” disease from Davis. Hopefully, found a cure in OKC. I like Blaylock a lot, but that dude has sucked recently. I HATE to see him come up to bad because I know it ain’t gonna’ be good. Ditto for Jones.
Tim Raub @ August 25th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

I think Blaylock and Jones caught the “Strike-out or Homer” disease from Davis. Hopefully, Davis found a cure in OKC. I like Blaylock a lot, but that dude has sucked recently. I HATE to see him come up to bat because I know it ain’t gonna’ be good. Ditto for Jones.
rob m @ August 25th, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Andruw to the DL per TR.

http://trsullivan.mlblogs.com/
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Little League Coach @ August 25th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

Hank and Ian both have big swing disease. I have been coaching little league for years and see it all the time. I know it may sound trite but watch their heads when they swing. It happens real fast, but both jerk their heads around the split second before the ball arrives. Their swings are so violent right now they can’t maintain focus. Hanks head moves from a vertical position to an horizontal one. When he stayed straight and let his back shoulder turn his head he was hitting. BTW Josh does this too some. He hides it better but the DVR tells all. At moment of impact the head should be looking at the ball. If you head is flopping around like a dead chicken you just can’t see the ball to make the last second adjustment necessary. Little league 101.