Knuckle Curve » texas_rangers

Sosa Seeks More Playing Time

Geoff Young — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:53:27 +0000

According to ESPN, Sammy Sosa won’t be returning to the Texas Rangers in 2008 because he “wants to play — ideally in a situation where he could get 400 to 500 plate appearances.”

Sosa is 39 years old, can’t play the field, and can’t hit right-handed pitching (.222/.267/.410 in ‘07), and he wants a full-time job. I’m sorry, how does that work again?

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Rangers Sign Jennings

Geoff Young — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 20:28:32 +0000

The Texas Rangers have signed right-hander Jason Jennings to a 1-year deal worth $4 million. The story to date: Jennings was pretty good as a rookie with Colorado in 2002. Then he had three seasons of extreme blahness, followed by a terrific showing in 2006, after which the Rockies shipped him to Houston, where he pitched poorly and got hurt.

Jennings went 2-9 with a 6.45 ERA for the Astros in 2007. He underwent elbow surgery in August and is expected to be ready by Opening Day.

Jennings owns a career record of 60-65 with a 4.91 ERA; he spent much of his early career pitching at Coors Field, so his ERA+ is 99, or roughly average. Jennings’ list of similar pitchers through age 29 — Jeff Suppan, Matt Clement, Kyle Lohse, etc. — isn’t exciting, but if he can stay healthy, this could work out well for the Rangers. At his best, Jennings eats innings, and it’s not like his new home park will faze him.

The one drawback is that now we won’t get to watch Jennings bat. Jennings was an excellent hitter in college and owns a career .207/.252/.268 line in the big leagues.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Reds Ship Hamilton to Texas

Geoff Young — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 19:45:49 +0000

The Cincinnati Reds have traded outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for right-hander Edinson Volquez and left-hander Danny Herrera. Hamilton was one of the bigger surprises of the 2007 season, but apparently the Reds deemed him expendable. Hamilton’s power will play anywhere, and if he can stay healthy (and clean), he should put up some sick numbers at Arlington. Like, 40 homers isn’t out of the question.

Volquez is a hard thrower who has been highly regarded for some time but who hasn’t been able to translate his stuff into results in limited chances at the big-league level. Ranked #3 among Rangers prospects by Baseball America coming into 2007, Volquez owns a 7.20 ERA in 80 innings with Texas over parts of the past three seasons. His chief problems have been giving up way too many hits, walks, and home runs. Ouch.

Volquez’ minor-league numbers have been fantastic, including a 2.67 ERA and 10.26 K/9 in 172 innings at Triple-A over the past two seasons. From the Baseball America 2007 Prospect Handbook (aff link):

If he can refine his curve and command, Volquez can earn a rotation spot in the spring and eventually emerge as a frontline starter. If he can’t, he soon could find himself in the bullpen.

We’ve discussed Cincy’s need for help in the rotation, and if Volquez can meet earlier projections, then this could work out well for the Reds. However, if he ends up in the bullpen, they may regret having given up a player of Hamilton’s caliber to get him. Not that Hamilton comes without risk, but at least he’s accomplished something at the big-league level.

Herrera is a 5′7″ reliever who works in the low-80s but who features a devastating changeup. Despite a lack of overpowering stuff, he’s succeeded everywhere he’s been to this point, including Double-A for most of ‘07.

Maybe this will work out for the Reds, but I think they gave up too much.

Other Voices

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Rangers, Tigers Swap Spare Parts

Geoff Young — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 21:17:09 +0000

The Texas Rangers have traded outfielder Freddy Guzman to Detroit for catcher/first baseman Chris Shelton.

Who are these guys? Glad you asked.

Guzman once was known as Pedro De Los Santos and played second base in the San Diego Padres organization. Then when the visa crackdowns came along, his name changed and he aged a few years. Guzman has decent on-base skills and is fast. His ceiling is a poor-man’s Juan Pierre, but really, he’s a fourth outfielder. Actually, so is Pierre, but I digress.

Shelton spent all of 2007 in the minors after batting .273/.340/.466 for the Tigers in ‘06. The guy has some serious power from the right side of the plate. He came up through the Pittsburgh Pirates organization as a catcher but primarily has played first base in the big leagues, although he did log six games behind the dish back in 2004.

Neither of these guys should be impact players for their new teams, but both could contribute. Shelton has more offensive upside, while Guzman provides stronger defense.

Hey, they can’t all be blockbusters.

Other Voices

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Rangers Sign Madrigal

Geoff Young — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:47:18 +0000

I don’t always point out minor-league transactions, but in this case I’ll make an exception because, well, it fascinates me. The Texas Rangers have signed right-hander Warner Madrigal, formerly with the Angels.

Why I find this story interesting:

Warner Madrigal is a great name. If the kid doesn’t make it in baseball, perhaps he could try his hand at international espionage?
When I was rummaging through the list of minor-league free agents a while back, Madrigal’s 2007 stats jumped out at me. I don’t care if a guy is in the Midwest League, if he’s striking out more than 11 batters per 9 innings, that gets my attention.
Madrigal is a converted outfielder. Unlike most of his ilk, he actually hit a little (.287/.323/.458 in over 900 PA), though probably not enough to have a significant career.
The Angels lost him due to a “procedural gaffe” on the part of new general manager Tony Reagins. Shades of the Wes Chamberlain snafu of 1990?

Nothing may come of Madrigal. He’s 24 years old and he hasn’t pitched above Low-A ball. Still, the kid has posted some intriguing numbers and could be worth watching. Or maybe one day he will be watching you.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Rangers Demolish Orioles, Set American League Record

Geoff Young — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 00:45:03 +0000

Bad timing, eh? On the same day that the Baltimore Orioles reward manager Dave Trembley with a contract extension, his team gets beat, 30-3, by the Texas Rangers. That would be an American League record for runs in a game.

Every starter in the Texas lineup had at least two hits and one run. Rookie Travis Metcalf, who entered in the seventh inning, hit a grand slam and walked in his two trips to the plate.

The #8 and #9 hitters (Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ramon Vazquez) combined for eight hits, nine runs, four homers, and 14 RBI. That is just goofy.

The punch line? This was the first game of a doubleheader…

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Gagne to Start Season on DL

Geoff Young — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 22:20:27 +0000

Texas Rangers right-hander Eric Gagne will start the season on the disabled list because he “needs to pitch more innings.” Gagne, you may recall, has appeared in just 16 games over the past two years.

Wow. Did anyone see this coming?

Post from: Knuckle Curve