Tonight, I was looking around my own site, and saw a few pages that needed updating now that the 2012 season has been completed. They are the “Broadcaster History” page, as well as the “Attendance History” page. Given the Rangers announced late last week what the broadcast teams will be for 2013, I figured this would be a good time to update these pages, as they’re pretty static. The attendance one gets updated just once a year, and the broadcaster one as well, unless there’s a midseason change (which has happened a few times recently). After updating the pages, I have a few notes and observations. [Read more…]
Josh Hamilton and Contract Numbers
This whole story is written around the concept that the numbers being reported this morning are accurate. If they’re not, well, sod this story. :)
A report this morning says that Josh Hamilton wants a 7 year contract and $175 Million. My initial reaction to that? UH, NO WAY. I mean, seriously – does he honestly think someone is giving him that? While I like Josh – I have always liked him since he came here. The way the 2012 season ended was disappointing yes – but I’m not about to pitchfork him out of town based on the slump at the end. He did great for us during his time here, and I loved the way he put Jesus out there in front, something that was refreshing for this Christian. But dude.. 7 years? Are you serious? [Read more…]
Texas Rangers Offseason Player Thoughts
I felt energized by Jeff’s offer to help out with the writing here on this site. I decided not to wait for Spring Training 2013 or some big off season move to write something. I decided to break out the keyboard and plow through an article that takes a look at the 2012 Rangers roster. Basically, it’s a few remarks about each player, both in what happened in 2012, and perceptions for said player in 2013. I’ve gone through and listed all 39 players that played for the big club in the 2012 season, and some thoughts on each of them. Let me know what you think – if you agree or disagree in the comments (or if I’ve made some egregious error). :)
How Many in 2012?
Usually towards the end of the year, we always hear about how many players the Texas Rangers have used overall in any particular season. The Rangers are usually towards the high end of that list. Injuries, callups, usually make for a long list, and you tend to forget the guys who are here so quick that they don’t even have time for the proverbial “cup of coffee”.
I’ve done this for the last four seasons, and it’s worked out pretty well. I’ve also gotten some positive feedback on it, so I’m doing it again this year. For the record, if you’d like to see the final tallies for the other years I’ve done this, you can still see them here: [ 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 ]
Anyway, this post will get bumped whenever there is a player who is making his first appearance for the Texas Rangers in 2012. I am going to count guys who get called up, but don’t play immediately (or sometimes don’t play at all), as they will be part of the 25 man roster officially. So here goes. The most recent additions will be on the top of the list. The original opening day 25 man roster is not in any particular order.
Fun video with Dempster & Holland
I got sent this video from someone at mlb.com, showing Derek Holland being interviewed on the MLB Network. During it, Ryan Dempster is acting, well.. ODD in the background. He’s not there for the whole video, but when he’s not, Holland is goofing it up quite well on his own. Some other bits from the interview include Holland talking about possibly growing back his mustache (Nooooooooooooo!), Ron Washington’s walks around the ballpark, and photo-bombing Tom Verducci earlier this year.
One favorite moment from this is when Derek says that he and Ryan have already done their “Duelling Harry Cary” impressions, and that they plan on breaking it out publicly at some point. Now THAT I want to see!
Thanks to Tim for the headsup on the video! Hey Tim.. MLB needs to make MLBN a “real” network. Broadcast it over some channel in regular broadcast television. Some of us (like myself) can’t afford cable TV anymore, and had to give up (quite painfully, I might point out) MLBN.
Thoughts on Geovany Soto trade
Late last evening after the Rangers game was over, the word came down at the Regency street with the Chicago Cubs for one time first round pick Geovany Soto. He was treated for AA Frisco pitcher Jacob Brigham. Brigham is not a name it’s going to light the world on fire, I’m not entirely sure why the Cubs would want him. It’s probably more a case of wanting to get rid of Soto and had to get something back for him so they took this guy.
Starting Rotation Named – My Thoughts
Ron Washington named his starting rotation for the beginning of the 2012 season on Thursday. It pretty much isn’t a big surprise, although there was one minor surprise to me. Here’s the five:
- Colby Lewis
- Derek Holland
- Matt Harrison
- Yu Darvish
- Neftali Feliz
Derek Holland’s Extension
Right as I sliced my hand on Wednesday, the word came down that Derek Holland and hte Rangers had agreed to a long term extension. Earlier this off season we had agreed to a one year deal, avoiding arbitration. That deal was worth $504,700. It’s been voided/replaced/whatever by this new deal which goes into effect immediately. This seems like a great deal for both sides here.
Holland & Rangers apparently close to an extension
Saw on Twitter tonight from Evan Grant that the Rangers and Derek Holland are close to a new contract. Apparently, it will be a five year deal, and it will supersede the contract he signed earlier this off season for 2012. Will take him through 2016, which would be one year of free agency, as Holland is currently eligible to be a free agent after the 2015 season.
This is a good deal, assuming of course Derek holds up his end of the bargain. He does seem to have figured it out, and while we don’t have any numbers on this deal yet, I do like the fact that we appear to be signing SOMEONE long term. There’s going to be too many variables in too short a time for my liking. The team will probably radically change about two years down the road, but Derek Holland apparently will still be here.
Making us all FEAR THE STACHE!
Center Field
A lot has been made about the center field position this year. It’s historically been an unstable one for the team, there’s not been many players in the last 20 years that have grabbed a hold of it, and kept it. Oh, good people have played there, but never one guy who was “THE MAN” out there.
The Rangers don’t want Josh Hamilton out there, they want him in left. Julio Borbon looked like he had a lead on it at the start of last season, but got hurt, and that fell apart. He’ll have a chance again this year, but he’s probably on his last chance here. There’s really no dominant guy out there at the moment – there’s a bunch of names that can be used out there. Craig Gentry, Leonys Martin, Josh Hamilton, and David Murphy just to name a few.
But I wonder if this is the last hurrah for Julio Borbon. There was some noise about trading him to the Nationals not too long ago, I guess that isn’t happening.
Nolan Ryan spoke on this yesterday during spring training, here’s some video of him talking.
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