D

In a pinch, I can always hate Torii Hunter.

Hello—> Hello—>ello—> llo.

Is anybody out there?

Marlon’s fall did not look good at all. This guy is really hurt.

@Evan: I can respect while hate…no love lost for the Angels, espcially with their pansy like “motivation” tactics via Ian Kinsler.

If the Rangers bring Byrd back, I will be very surprised. He’s been solid this year, but he’ll want a big contract (he needs a big contract).

Wash plays favorites for sure and Byrd is a favorite, but I can’t how it will financially work out.

So Evan, are you really voting Feldman for Cy Young?

http://www.boston.com/sports/columnists/wilbur/2009/09/23/sizing_up_cy_young/

or Grienke?

@Ryans Dad: I’m not packing it in, but I’m not sure if I will do a Depot tomorrow. I am planning to fly back to Texas mid-day and we’ll see how things develop from there.

@Evan–how much do you think it costs to bring Pudge back and how much interest do you sense there is in doing so…he was best catcher on the team this year

Feldman 6’5″
Felix Hernandez 6’3″
Jon Lester 6’2″
Zack Greinke 6’2″

Historically, people tend to vote for the taller candidate. Other than that, I’ve got nothing. Furthermore, CC Sabathia is 6’7″.

@Alan in SA: Talked to Pudge a bit today and he definitely wants to return. I think he’s open to whatever role the Rangers have for him. At this point, it would take some swallowing of pride to admit that a soon-to-be 38-year-old is still way ahead of the young catchers on the roster, but I do think that is the reality. From here, the Rangers would be smart to bring him back, but I’ve gotten no impression the Rangers are actively working on that.

@Becca: It’s a task, but we’ll address it head on and aggressively.

Hey boys! It’s been one helluva season. I feel like I’m at the end of semester choir banquet. Ha!

@Evan–
Don’t you think you are missing the point when you say “I voted for a Red Sox player first. And my vote did not change the outcome.” The point is that even though your vote did not change the outcome, it was clearly the wrong guy. You should just own the mistake instead of trying to justify it. Good luck back at DMN.

Just saw an international friendly in………hockey?! WTF?!

@Evan—are the front office egos so big that they can’t swallow pride to put the best team on the field? Pudge brings a lot to the table..helps young pitchers and young catchers while providing some of the clubhouse leadership you’re going to lose w/Eddie G and Byrd (probably) gone…I wouldn’t want to think that the powers that be couldn’t swallow their pride for that much being brought to the table

Feldman got out of it. Whew…

@becca – home opener saturday night I believe.

11 straight scoreless innings …

@Evan: I think you’re selling Salty a little short by saying Pudge is way ahead. (Not that Salty is Pudge in his prime) but he was a bright spot this year. Great behind the plate. The pitchers worked well with him and his blocking and pitch calling was really good. I’d venture to say no one on this team worked harder than him, when he was healthy. His hitting needs to improve but he’s got an off-season to work on that and only get better in the field. I’d be fine to go with Salty as the starter and Pudge backing him up, playing a day or 2 a week. You really think he’s that far behind?

@becca: i don’t think Scott Erickson was ever dubbed Scooter. Pretty sure of that.

i’m not ready to give up on teagarden or ramirez yet. i just think their sample size has been to small. i would hate pushing back their development because both pudge and salty were kept. i would suggest just keeping either pudge or salty and have the other teagarden and max in the wings. but that’s just me.

anyone who thinks the catching was up to what is needed for a playoff run next year on a team that looks ready to get there saw something I didn’t see…let’s keep Pudge, sent TT back to minors and cut Max..both TT and Max WAY underperformed expectations this year…I want to win next year..@Irish..the “future” begins in 2010

@brian: Who are you to say who’s right and who’s wrong? If he felt Youk was the MVP then it’s his vote to cast. It’s not like there’s a vendetta against the Boston 2nd baseman. An honest vote or answer is to be respoected.

In other news…who are you guys cheering for in the postseason? I’ll probably go for the Rockies or anyone but LA, Boston or NY.

In a perfect world, I’d keep Pudge to back up Salty and trade TT or Max. Whoever we kept would begin the year in AAA.

Max totally lost a year, regardless of why. Let him earn his spot here. Again, the future is NOW, not 3 yrs from now as it has always been before…we need PROVEN players NOW

I’d like to see Bobby Cox have one more shot at glory.

probably root for rockies. they’re fun to watch. after that, i’ll root for the AL team that isn’t the yankees or red sox or angels. i think now it’s in between detroit and minnesota

I guess I missed the article yesterday about Evan going back to DMN. That does explain a lot of the posts and references to the DMN website last night and today. It is true that I am aloof and possibly mildly retarded.
Anyhow, I wanted to throw in my two cents.

To all here at the Corner: It’s been a blast having people to converse with about the Rangers. I have learned more about professional baseball in the last 5 months than in the last 33 years combined. Hope to see you all again next season.

To Evan: This website is great and we are all in your debt for creating it. I really believe nobody else in Dallas could have pulled this off. I will go out of my way to find your opinions on everything Rangers for the rest of my days.

GO RANGERS. 2010 A.L. West Champions? We will see!

We’ve seen the Rockies story played out though. I liked it the first time, right up to the point where Boston showed why they’re the Red Sox and the Rockies were, well, the Rockies. Feel good stories are never good second time around.

@Brian: I admitted my mistake in leaving Pedroia off the ballot. I tried to admit a number of times on the air in Boston one day last fall. That still wasn’t good enough. The bottom line is I made a mistake by not including him on the ballot. I make no apologies about voting for Kevin Youkilis first.

@Alan in SA: In regards to front office egos, there is no accounting for ego. Everybody has one. You never know when it will flare up in a potentially negative way. But the club would have to admit poor evaluation on either Teagarden or Salty if elects to keep Pudge and jettison somebody else.

Red Sox always, I repeat, ALWAYS lollygag before the playoffs. Then, out of nowhere, they come out like a completely different team. I never count them out, regardless of the circumstances.

@ALL: In regards to the playoffs, I have no issue pulling for the LA Angels. I like the way they play the game. As for the NL, if the Braves can pull things off, of course, I’m going to be behind them. My dad, who turns 86 in January, would love to see his beloved Dodgers make it and if that would make him happy, I’ll stifle my distaste for Padilla long enough for him to enjoy things.

History repeating itself. Could be a long week for the die hards

Here’s a fun one: given the teams that already have a spot or could have a spot, what’s your dream WS matchup for this season.

PS – What’s up with all the booing in this series?! Kinsler yesterday and Murph today?! The hell?!

Having grown up around the Braves and their AA and AAA affiliates, I still follow them. Old habits are hard to break. Savannah Braves games during the summer were a blast!!!

are the ballots always made public? i guess i’ve never paid that much attention to the mvp voting.

Dream WS matchup this year? That’s tough.

I still don’t know what’s up w/ Feldman’s control the last two starts. The pitches look close but he’s barely missing. He can cut down on the free passes and keep his fastball down in the zone, he’s pretty darn good.

@Irish: Yeah, I would watch Dodgers/Yankees and that’s the matchup that the TV execs are craving.

Do the Rangers lead the league in walked in runs?

Dodgers/Yanks is the only WS I could tolerate seeing the Yankees in. Otherwise, I want them one and done.

Braves/Twins would be good.

What would be the WS that would have the WORST TV ratings?

Rockies/Tigers?
Twins/Phillies?
Cardinals/any AL team other than NYY or BOS?

I think the Twins make it. They really played the Rangers tough this year. Joe Mauer is a BEAST.

I haven’t seen Moscoso at all this year, but he looks pretty good. Does he start in AAA next year or long relief w/ the Rangers.

@John in clearwater: It’s better than watching the Cowboys. For some reason, I just can’t watch’em this year.

My gosh…those fans are obnoxious tonight.

I’m just going to randomly post for the next five minutes until midnight east coast time, at which time I’ll turn in to a pumpkin. Thank you in advance for tolerating me.

1. I think other than the high KOs, Salty had a salty season (rock me). His D was superb until his shoulder gave out. This WAS his first full season as a starter. If not for the hype, we would have been happy with the offense from 1st year starter at C. I predict a strong season improving on this one.
2. I think I’m rooting for the Angels. Impressed by what they persevered through this year. Don’t want the Twins or Braves or Rockies to win, because I think we are better than them (Phillies too).
3. I dislike Boston, their fans (at least the fans that are FROM DFW and LIVE in DFW and show up at the BALLPARK) and their midget SS more than anything.
4. For all those that think rookie pitchers should never have a rough outing and think Holland is over-rated and not any good because he had a 5 start rough stretch, mosey over to the box score of the Sox game and check out what Buchholz went through tonight (and yes, I think he is a stud too).
5. Feldman absolutely should not pitch this weekend.
6. The Rangers should not bring Byrd back on anything other than a 1 yr deal for $5MM. At the same time, Byrd is a fool if he turns down a mutli year deal. He has to do what’s right by his family, even if it means playing in Pittsburgh. However, with his age, his knee and this economy, I don’t think its a slam dunk that he gets said multi year offer.
7. Borbon’s ability to play CF next year is vital, IMO, to a successful roster construction.
8. Elvis is a fine choice for ROY, but don’t underestimate what the kid in Chicago is doing. Yes he played less games. But you can flip that and say that as a result of that, his #s look that much better by comparison. By the way, I’ve heard him quoted to a mutual friend as saying he absolutely deserves it over Elvis or Porcello (these guys really do get into and care about things like this) – reason enough for me to really hope Elvis wins it.
9. I think this team moves Chris Davis for a RH bat that can play the same positions as Chris (this team is too LF and it will get worse when Byrd is gone). If ownership is settled or they can move Millwood, then I’m sticking to my Garrett Atkins prediction.
10. I can’t wait for late February.

Bonus – alex rodriguez (don’t dignify that d. bag by calling him by his self appointed nick name) and Teixeira will choke in the playoffs.

Take care all.

I vote for bringing Vizquel back, by the way.

@John in clearwater: I’d risk a minor league offer to Grilli.

@Buck – Jerry rubs me the rub way too many times, but I think the breakdown on the Stadium is $300MM of public money and $900MM of his own. It was supposed to be 50/50 and he doubled the price tag. Again, my recollection of the facts could be incorrect.

@Jack Daddy: Your posts are always entertaining.

Byrd’s gone.

Why wouldn’t you pitch Feldman this weekend?

I’m with you on Holland. This was a learning season for him, and next year could be lights out.

I am also encouraged by McCarthy’s comeback at the end of the year. He can pitch at a high level.

@Jack Daddy: Borbon is interesting. Wash won’t play him in CF because he thinks he’s a liability but plays Davis at 3rd w/ Visquel on the bench.

If Byrd’s gone and Borbon doesn’t start in CF, does Josh start in CF and bring Borbon along slowly?

He also trots out Nellie in RF. He has a good arm but he’s skaaakkkkyyy in the outfield.

@Buck – for the reasons Evan laid out above (just gassed with a career high workload).

also very encouraged by the season McCarthy had. I still wonder if he wouldn’t be great in the Feliz 6th/7th inning bullpen role (if his shoulder can hold up in teh pen).

I would also do a grilli minor league deal.

@John – I imagine they would love to hold him, but I know they think they are too lefthanded. They can’t sign a F.A., so trade is the only option. Then you factor in which one of the 4 OFs or Davis do you deal. Cruz is RH, so it doesnt help situation. Josh has a very low value. It comes down to Murphy and Davis (they aren’t moving Borbon). I think Davis could bring more in a trade. But I could see them moving Murphy instead.

Will be fun to follow.

@buck – If Borbon isn’t ready opening day, I don’t know that he ever will be (seems strange that 2 monthts of extra seasoning would make him ready), but assuming he needs a 1/2 season, why not Josh? I think too much is being made of the wear/tear factor. Does he need to move? No doubt. But 2 months there isn’t going to all of sudden ruin his shelf life.

In fact, I could argue that guy will only be here 2 more years – why not ride him while you have him? I don’t see a long term deal (do you really want him long term anyway) or him holding up even in a corner or at DH. Its not life playing RF in this Park is forgiving on the body. And Greer was a walking medical patient in left.

I think Davis gets better next year. He’s shown the ability to adjust in the past and in AAA, he showed he can hit at that level. he’s still really young and I would like to see him stay. I don’t think he has a lot of trade value now and you don’t want to give him away. Smoak needs to start in AAA, but if he’s the real deal then it is a good problem to have.

I don’t see the Rangers making any big trades or FA signings until the ownership situation is settled.

I have mixed feelings on the Millwood situation. I really don’t think he’s a number one starter on a playoff team but maybe next year Feldman or Holland can take his spot.

Btw, I agree with Evan re/ Holland next year. Again, look at Buchholz. That no hitter was what, 2 years ago? Look at Felix. Look at Beckett. He didn’t win even 15 for several years.

Now I do think Holland will improve next year, but I’m not predicting 17 win or anything. But I see a low 4 era and 13-15 wins. The key, as Evan said, will be improving like Hunter did. He has to be able to throw is slider/curve AND CHANGE for strikes in any count. Right now he can’t do that.

The Borbon situation is really puzzling to me. I agree w/ Jack Daddy if he’s not ready at the start of next year, then he may never be ready. You can play him in LF, but you need more production.

I don’t understand why Wash doesn’t think Borbon can play CF. I’ve seen him make some great plays out there and some not so great, but I think if he gets a chance he will improve. Not so w/ Nellie.

10:50: Word on Byrd: He has a right hip capsule strain. That doesn’t sound promising.

11:26: Supposition from noted injury expert analyst, Will Carroll, is that Byrd has what is known as a “rider’s strain,” most common in horse riders. It is usually, Carroll says (via twitter): “Painful, but not serious.”

@Just Saying: I thought you were in the Bay Area. Well, that one will be tough. But if you are in Dallas, we’ll have a get together or two. To appease Jack_Daddy and I, we’ll try to do something one playoff night at Louie’s. Pizza. Beer (or soft drinks). Baseball. Debates. What could go wrong?

@Just saying: Regarding Padilla vs. Yankees. The interesting matchup will be Teixeira. They HATE each other.

Is that anything like the hip subluxation that Bo Jackson had?

@Evan: How many players or former team mates actually “like” Vincente?

Rumor has it that the original Buck and Vicente had a special relationship.

@Buck: Showalter had some unkind things to say about Padilla in 2005, but much of that was swept away when the Rangers acquired him. That’s not that uncommon.

As far as teammates liking Padilla, I’ve not found any who regard him as a close friend. But those guys do exist and can be contributors. It’s just a situation where you don’t know what you are going to get and you are unsure of what you can and can’t rely on.

@Evan: Oh how exciting! I can’t stand either one of them so it’s sure to end well for me. Did Tex hate him when they were here? Better yet…is there a player that does like him here?

Bad call…MY fired up. Like it.

@Evan-The team obviously needs a right handed bat. If lose Byrd and can’t sign/deal for one. A couple of questions about the system:1) Exactly what is Smoak’s problem from the right side. Is it fixable? Has he improved at all. Even thoogh splits weren’t even in college, as I recall, his avg. vs. LHP wasn’t bad, just a lot higher vs. RHP. 2)What is Tracy’s ceeiling? Can he build on this year? How far away. 3) I remember seeing that Moreland, altho a LHB, hit lefties as well or better than righties. Could he fill that hole against LHP?
Oter comment for next year is that I think Rangers’ biggest offense problem is pitch recognition/selection especially by young guys. Throw Borbon a breaking ball in the dirt with 2 strikes and he chases (plus has looked bad against LHP). Same with Davis (a bit better now). Nellie chases anything outside. Salty low breaking balls. Kins fly ball problem, I feel, is chasing the letter high FB, not his swing. Hammy looked bad on breaking balls in the dirt. TT just looked bad. Elvos not bad for a rook. MY, of course is best. Murph improving. Byrd impatient, but not bad.

11:47: Three runs before three outs or Rangers playoff hopes are officially done. Dead. Over. Rangers are already out of West. This would end Wild Card chase. Rangers would be six back of Boston, despite the Red Sox losing five straight and seven of last nine.

@Evan
What if Byrd’s hip injury requires offseason surgery. Do you think that greatly lessens his chance of getting a multi-year deal? And consequently does that increase the chance he re-signs with the Rangers on a one-year deal to prove he’s healthy?

Well … it is officially over.

Night all. Been a good year.

so would torre use padilla in relief to pitch to tex…….no never happen, joe has too much class…….saw him at a lombardi cancer fundraiser and he was all class there……