@rob m: Borbon is not a good defensive outfielder yet. I think he’s got a better chance for success at leftfield.(for now)

Boy is gonna be fun to read Bob’s cowboy blog after losses this year. it’s just brutal lol.

@EvanGrant: Evan do you think we’ll see Feliz make a start before the season is over. I Would like to see him pitch at least four inings straight before the offseason.

could we really really get milton for millwood with the cubs paying most of milton’s salary…….now that would be WONDERFUL…….but if he comes back i think they should name the press box elevator in his honor just so kc understands where we stand when they come to town……..

@Ranger_ve – If we were still playing for anything, then I’d agree with you. But at this point, I’d have no problems letting Borbon get some work in at CF.

The better answer I think to that question is that it probably takes another bat out of the lineup. But who knows.

@KJ: We are playing for next year and you need to protect your rookies from getting exposed to bad situations. Specially if there’s no substantial reward from it. Just my opinion.

Been a long day on the East Coast, so I won’t be staying up tonight. A couple thoughts….

Season = not over for me until the fat lady sings
Milton Bradley = burned bridge when he said he didn’t play when he could have last year. You want that in your clubhouse?
Inside Corner = makes the season a little more enjoyable. Even now.

I wouldn’t mind Borbon finishing the year in center either. Get him the experience. At some point he’ll need to get that experience and I would like to see him as our every day CF if not next year then in 2011. Next year, could platoon him with Hamilton and Byrd (if we resign Byrd).
As for Milton, yes he may have been good in the clubhouse but he was injured as well and missed quite a few games, let’s not foget that. He was injured again this year for the first several weeks of the season, forgot exactly how long, and it will happen again with the injuries regardless of where he is at.
What we need is someone with his spark / fire but who also is up at the plate when needed and not sitting on the d/l or “day to day” because of a mild injury.

@All: In regards to Milton Bradley, I’ve heard the rumors, too. But let me just say this: The Rangers have made it clear that being a reliable and good teammate is a requirement to play for this team. The decisions to cut ties with Sidney Ponson and Vicente Padilla are evidence of that. Bradley falls into that category. He is a Texas State Fair Midway of distractions all by himself.

He was completely unreliable in the second half last season and to bring him back here and let somebody like Marlon Byrd walk away would result in clubhouse insurrection.

@Ruffian, It was a comment between Scotch’s during a weak moment of the Cowboy loss. Just something to stir the masses but not them asses. Everybody else just took an 8 second ride on it. Just pointing out the pro’s and con’s of such a potential happening. Do you realize 140,000 fans watched two ballgames in Arlington yesterday?

he’ll have more games than hamilton? kinsler? young…almost?

bradley 124 games this year last year 126

josh 87 games this year last year 156

kinsler 130 this year last year 121

now at a andruw jones discount why would you not want that bat?

geez all milton did was complain about the fans and kinsler sure as hell has done that…….

9:19: The Rangers decision to start Kevin Millwood tonight can’t be interpreted in any fashion other than this: The club apparently doesn’t believe it could win a grievance that would be filed on his behalf if he was shut down at this point and fails to reach 180 innings. Even if the Rangers want Millwood back – and it’s worth noting that it is Sept. 21 and his ERA remains below 4.00 for the year – it’s pretty clear that $12 million is not 2010 market value for a pitcher of his class. With the Rangers essentially out of the race, using any other younger pitcher (Dustin Nipper or Guillermo Moscoso come to mind) would seem to be more worthwhile than running a tired Millwood out there. It doesn’t make much sense to start Millwood right now. But the club apparently doesn’t have any other options.

@JustSaying, Hamilton looked very good with Bradley hitting behind him last season. I’m not for or against. I was just dabating the pro’s and con’s of it as a potential transaction on a two loss night in Arlington. Okay, so it was the Scotch talking. Dang Scots, anyway. Just practicing for the coming Hot Stove league.

@Tom B:I don’t know Tom. Verlander has 3562 #1. Sabathia 3408 #2.felix Hernadez 3296 #5. Those are some pretty good guys going above 3000 and still doing good. All I’m saying is that maybe KM is just not as durable as a front of the rotation pitcher should be.

@Evan, this conversation between Josh and TAG must be like fingernails on a chalkboard for you.

Without question it has been the emergence of Little E

That’s an easy one for me – bringing along the young talent both on the mound and in the field (broad answer but I like the young guns).

@EvanGrant: For me is the offfield changes. #1 Nolan Ryan as president.
#2 Mike maddux as pitching coach.
#3 Tom Hicks broke and wanting to sell.

@Evan..I’m not sure if this qualifies as “single” but the big story of 2009 to me is how fast the youngsters came. The #1 Minor League system paid off a year earlier than expected and have to have learned a lot going forward.

yes he added a lot of protection for josh and i have to think if josh thinks milton can protect his ABs then josh and the others would/should say hell yes……..is he going to have injuries….well hell yes but geez 126 games with what he produced…..and i think wash is the perfect manager for milton…….
i actually think kinsler, young and josh all looked better when milton was batting clean-up……..it’s been pretty evident all year that that spot was empty for us……

@ob–what do you think anyone would give you for Millwood?

#1 mike maddox as pitching coach “long term success”

i would say getting rid of hicks but next owner might be even worse………

wonder if the a’s will stop play when millwood vests tonite and give him the game ball? that $12 million ball?

led the al in ops……..very bad influence……

justsaying, he told us flat out he didnt care about the team, he has never cared about any team he has been on.
We can find a bat, no need to take on trash.

The Rangers are down to four outs before that $12 large goes out the window.

@Ranger_ve: Hard for me to make a definitive call on what kind of investment the Rangers are. I do believe that on a year-to-year basis, they’ve either broken even or made a profit since 2004. The problem is an enormous amount of debt, part of which are deferred payments (many of which are going to players no longer here). Yes, the Rangers are still on the hook for the Alex Rodriguez contract. That’s what I’m saying. A new owner is going to have to take on a lot of deferred money and look at it as bad debt. He’d be paying off Hicks’ promises and getting nothing for it. But if the sale price ends up being right around $500 million (Hicks would like $600), I’d say, yeah, it stands to be a very solid investment. There is a manageable current payroll and a talented nucleus here that likely means decent attendance and offers the promise of post-season revenues.

I have to agree with others that this years biggest development is the young pitchers and Elvis… With a long term shortstop and possibly above average pitching going forward this team is poised to contend for several years.
Also the farm is still well stocked, maybe not #1 this winter but should still be in top five.
The only real question right now that has developed may be catcher. With Salty questionable due to the surgery and recovery of arm strength, if he goes like Blalock did then we lose a catcher because there won’t be any base stealers thrown out by him. Teagarden needs more time in minors to develop if he ever does. He may end up a very late bloomer. And we don’t know about Max Ramirez yet because of his injury setback. So with that where do you go for catching help?
Sign Pudge for next year and see how Teagarden goes. If not good then maybe trade for a AAA catcher next year or a good young ML ready catcher the year after.

How will you feel when we face the angels next your with the pennant on the line but milton backs out because he doesnt want to face the pitcher?
We have plenty of depth in the minors to go after a strong bat.
What is miltons excuse this year? The cubs gave him the money and a long deal and he stinks, not to mention he is suspended for the rest of the year for saying he hates playing for the cubs.

1. have been REALLY depressed the last 5 days. Not because we aren’t making the playoffs (I really never expected to), but because the season was in essence over (and I wanted an excitign last 2 weeks). That being sai, I’ve pouted and gotten over and am really just enjoying myself tonight watching a baseball game for the reasons why I love baseball — its just a good game.

2. A wonder what pressure removed will do for the team.

3. Really encouraged by shots Holland yukking it up in dugout. Was worried about his pysche. Take a look at BBTiA today. Good piece on Holland. 1 of 68 pitchers in ML history (last 127 years?) to pitch 100 innings in first year and K over 7 per 9 innings. When you then rank those pitchers by K/BB ratio, he falls around 28, just behind Lincecum. The others on the list are mostly pretty elite. Moral – when you miss bats like does, and not walk batters like he doesn’t, you have a GREAT chance to be special. Don’t give up on the kid. He’ll be special.

4. Ruffian – Gammons didn’t mention Bradley for Millwood, but in his chat predicted Bradley ends up in Texas. Evan – are we seeing some revisionist history? I know he annoyed mgmt, but the team seemed to get along with him. Were the images of him sliding bases in the rain on the tarp a show? I think Michael Young could have a man to man with him, and get him on board. Byrd is a separate story (if the Cubs want to pick up Byrd’s contract, I’m sure we would gladly keep him too).

5. That being said, I don’t think we trade Millwood for Bradley. I think Millwood finishes year strong and we trade Millwood for somebody else, throwing in an Omar Poveda to get somebody to take the salary. Millwood and Poveda for Garret Atkins? I just see Atkins on this team. It makes so much sense, given he’s a power righty that can play 1B, 3B and LF and DH. He NEED A CHANGE OF SCENERY BADLY and would be a good fall back if Davis slumps again and Smoak isn’t ready.

6. Biggest development? Well, I expected this out of Holland, Borbon and Andrus. I’ll say 3rd place, Feliz’s split finger pitch, which has taken his ceiling to a whole new level (its a game changer). 2nd place, Hunter’s development of a 4 pitch reportoire and what looks like the making of a real solid #3 rotation workhorse.

First place, in a cake walk? Feldman’s emergence of what looks to be a staff ace. He’s developed the cutter, curve (BIG TIME) and change to go with the sinker and now looks like a Roy Halladay starter kit. Don’t underestimate the importance of this huge. Pretty dang huge. REally freaking huge.

7. Where are all the Inside Corner regulars? I miss the guys (and gals).

sorry for the typos (I don’t believe in proofing what I write, after doing that all day long in my day job).

It’s too early to tell, but it could be that they are so far back now the pressure to win every game is easing. So now they can relax and begin to hit. Again it is too early to tell, but if the offense takes off the next few days that theory will have a good bit more credibility.

@S.Arcasm – see my #2. don’t under estimate this aspect.

Any theories on what happened to kinsler’s swing? He has become a flyout machine.

Yep, preassure removed is a big game changer… however you also have to remember you can’t get to Oct. without the preassure being there. However, this is a good way for the team to learn how to deal with the preassure and will only benefit them down the line.

Jack Daddy – I like the thought of Atkins here. I think the change could rejuvenate him and add the power bat the team needs.

Bradley’s also the guy that caught out 2 and tossed it in the stands this year while poseing.

Will the MLB network do a “live look-in” for the $12 million out next inning?

Dumb question. Batboys, are they high school kids, and if so, do they travel with the team, or does the home team furnish batboys for each team? Or is it a full time job like an equipment manager and some young guy does it in lieu of going to school?

I’ll say this – I thought Millwood was awful the last 2 months as much as anyone. But what he went through wasn’t any different than what Josh Beckett went through this late summer and what Buehrle went though after his perfect game. It happens. Pitchers get dead arm. Could he have worked harded to avoid? Hell if I know. But maybe we don’t pitch his arm off next April/May and see how that goes.

@JD – that’s why Rudy’s time has come. Its time for new batting coach blood. If Nolan and JD don’t go get one this off season then we’ll miss the playoffs again next year with a pressure slump just like last week. Also a new offensive coach would correct Kins upper-cut swing and get him to hitting like he was last year. Several otehr players I believe would improve as well.

did you see that smirk on his face when the camera first caught him…

And boom goes the dynamite

10:33: Kevin Millwod reaches 180 innings with a double play grounder from Mark Ellis in the fifth inning. He’s now locked in his contract option for 2010.

Sure looks like 1st half Millwood dropped in for a visit tonight…

@AJM – I agree. I think much more is being made of Bradley and the clubhouse. My 2 thoughts?:

1. if the Cubs are picking up his salary, then bring him on – if he Fs up, release him;
2. if the players don’t like, tell them they should have performed better (say, like work a damm count) and you wouldn’t have had to do this.

Washington makes out the lineup. He has MUCH MORE influence over Kinsler’s upper cut than Rudy. Kinsler has the upper cut because he wants to hit home runs. A new hitting coach wouldn’t have any more chance of turning that situation around than Rudy.

@RF – nothing sinister. Nothing that you or I or any other married guy with a young kid doesn’t go through. Lack of sleep. A wife that spends too much money, etc. But the kind of stuff that might make one seem less joyful and a bit whipped.

Someone please show me a clip of Kinsler circa 2008 and this year. THE SWING IS THE EXACT SAME! You loved it when it’s hot…hate it when it’s not. Fine but it’s the same darn swing.

RF, it is the same swing but it seems the pitchers have found a hole in the swing and ian has not adjusted.

@obagain: OH HOLY CRAP WHAT? Where did he say this…that’s grounds for instant firing. Good thing JD won’t do that. I’m sorry but that almost proves incompetence. Be loyal when it’s worth it but that would be pure idiocy.

as a free pinch hitter sure……

What the heck was that?

The option vests, then an inning later, the shutout is gone. Just a coincidence I’m sure.

Dang I can’t remember the last time I saw a 93 MPH fastball from Millwood.

Judging by his SB number this year and increased range and reliability at 2nd I wouldn’t say he’s lost a step…

He’s not any slower, but maybe he’s having trouble swinging around his moobies?

Wow…baseball talk surely has gone downhill post-pennant race…

@Josey Wales: It’s nice he and have one last hurah…

Smart baserunning by Byrd there!

Davis just can’t get #20! One called back and top of the wall triple!

The payroll is going to go down a pretty good amount with Padilla, Blalock, Benoit, others coming off the book. They should be able to handle the arb. raises.

Am I counting wrong, or has Chris Davis now made more diving stops at third base than MY has this year?

@AJM: You’re selling Young short…he’s been more than solid at 3rd this year. Definitely eliminated a defensive hole at 3rd that’s been there for a while.

Wash made the jones comment a little after the AS break.
I am sure it is part of his, I want the players to like me psycology.
Kins needs to relax and he will be fine.
His swing is what it is.
Last year he was a MVP candidate with it he just needs some time off to figure out how the pitchers are working him and find an adjustment.
I am sure they will work on it in the offseason.

@obagain: Oh OK, well that makes me feel better. I thought this was a recent comment. That was just after his 3-homerun affair. I think that was the last time he contributed something.

@Jack — if payroll is at $55 million next season, you’re going to have issues. You’ve got Millwood and Young combining for $28 million. You’ve got Kinsler at $4 million, and Hamilton, Wilson and Frankie probably combining for about $10 million in arbitration.

Now you’re at $42 million for 4 players. That leaves you $13 million for the rest of the roster…about $600K per player for the 25 man roster.

Oh, but you also have $4 million or so you owe Vicente Padilla and Frank Catalanotto for their 2010 option buyouts.

And you’ve got Scott Feldman who is probably getting $1.5 million or so in arbitration.

So really, you’ve got $8.5 million to spend on the remaining 20 players on the 25 man roster.

Which means the remaining 20 players can all make the league minimum, and then you have $500K left over to disperse among those 20 guys as you see fit.

@JD: Wait..you’re saying that Hamilton, Nippert and McCarthy will make $12 mill collectively? That’s WAY high IMO. Way high…But also remember the rest of the team is at minimum levels so that’s not out of the question. They also could buyout Millwood if they wanted to save a little.

@AJM: The latest article I read said Padilla and Cat were both off the books.

@Evan: Is there a Padilla option buyout? I was under the impression he was off free and clear.

Also if Young is making 11 and Millwood 12..thatt’s 23 not 28. Just sayin…

@RF – Hamilton, Nippert, McCarthy, CJ, FF and Feldman will make $15MM in my example. $2.25 for Hamilton. 1 for Nippert. 1.5 for McCarthy. $10MM collective for CJ, FF and Feldman.

@AJM – Cubs might do that if you throw in Max Ramirez.

@AJM doesn’t the fact that the dodgers picked up padilla put them on the hook for the option? doesn’t seem logical for rangers to still be on the hook for that?

@RF – it is $23MM and yes there is a buyout for Padilla. I think $1.5 or $2MM.

Bottomline, you can get this roster done, including deferred money and buyouts (other than Arod) for $55 and that is $20 less than this year. The operating revenue will be higher next year, because attendance won’t go down. Worst case, revenue is slightly flat due to decreased merchandise — they sold a s### load of the red stuff this year.

We ARE VERY LUCKY this ownership situation is happening at a time when we have a low cost roster.

@Jack Daddy: Dang, Padilla…the gift that keeps giving. I think they’ll be able to field the roster they want…save free agents. Attendance is up here and yes they sold a ton of red stuff this year…Could have sold more. If they’d come out with Holland, Borbon and Feliz shirts in the height of the “rookie buzz” they’d flown off the shelves…but they just now came out with Andrus a few weeks ago…oh well.

I thought when arod opted out of his contract that took his money off the books for the rangers?

@justsayin – Dodgers didn’t claim Padilla. They signed him as F.A. They only owe him the pro rated ML min.

We owe the balance of contract and buyout (total $12MM). I don’t know if we’ve paid it or not, but it won’t be part of the 2010 budget in any event. It will be paid before next year.

That doesn’t seem logical..A-Rod opted out for a new contract but still gets paid for an option year?

@Rangers Fan -

Did you read this today? Made me feel better about Holland.

http://www.bbtia.com/home/2009/9/21/the-brighter-side-of-derek-holland.html

I’m in Berkeley right now. Went right past the stadium but couldn’t talk any of my cohorts into catching the game, and I wasn’t real fired up about seeing Millwood lock in his $12M. However, this one would have been a good one to attend. I am going to see if I can catch McCarthy tomorrow.

@RF – those payments due Rodriquez are deferred amounts that he agreed to (from his days with us), not a buyout.

@Justsayin – agreed those guys won’t get huge payouts, but I don’t think those #s I laid out are “huge”. You can bet Hamilton will be with $250K of $2.25MM. Projecting $3MM each for CJ, FF and Felman is pretty conservative, for 2 guys with 20 saves and a starting pitcher that won 18-19 games.

McCarthy and Nippert combining for $2.25 is not huge.

@JD: Thanks for the link…good article though I don’t think he starts 2010 in OKC.

that even made me laugh………

@just sayin: I thought it was a club option for next year but no buyout clause…but apparently I’m wrong, idk.

All this guy does is get frustrated when he can’t get an out.

I’m almost embarrassed for Guardado. He’s had a great career but it looks like it is coming to an end.

Good win, too bad the Angels won, might have have given me a little false hope

Thank you for the kind words, Jack Daddy.

jack daddy trumps lucas….what is the world coming to?

A couple of things. Good point Evan about the team’s desires relative to the type of teammate they want. There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that Bradley comes back to the Rangers. Secondly, I think you overestimate Byrd’s value/popularity in the clubhouse and with management. He won’t be back either.