SB Nation - C.J. Wilson

Thinking about the Oliver signing and its impact on the pitching staff

Adam J. Morris — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:30:13 -0000

More photos » by Ross D. Franklin - AP

5 months ago: Los Angeles Angels' Darren Oliver (38) tags out Arizona Diamondbacks' Mark Reynolds (27) in a rundown to end the eighth inning of a baseball game Saturday, June 27, 2009, in Phoenix. The Angels defeated the Diamondbacks 2-1. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Browse more photos »

Okay, Darren Oliver is apparently going to be a Ranger. There's been talk since the offseason started about C.J. Wilson getting a look in the starting rotation, and with Oliver joining the team, I think the assumption has to be that Wilson will be a starter in 2010...signing Oliver doesn't make any sense, given the makeup and needs of this team, if Wilson is in the 2010 bullpen.

So...what does the rotation for 2010 look like? Presumably, we have Rich Harden, Scott Feldman, Tommy Hunter, C.J. Wilson, and either Brandon McCarthy or Derek Holland. McCarthy is supposedly being shopped, so it could be that the Oliver signing is a precursor to a McCarthy deal, which would mean Holland is in the rotation at the start of the season. Otherwise, given that Holland has options, if the Rangers don't move anyone else and everyone in the rotation is healthy to start the season, I think Holland is in AAA and McCarthy is in the rotation.

Moving to the bullpen...I'm going to assume that the Rangers are going to go with a 7 man bullpen. There's been talk that they could go with a 6 man pen, but I think that is unlikely at this point.

Four of the seven spots seem set -- Frankie Francisco, Darren Oliver, Darren O'Day, and your LOOGY, who is probably either Clay Rapada or Ben Snyder. Then you have your long man, who is probably Dustin Nippert, who is out of options. If you want to go the two long men route, then you take Doug Mathis as well. And if Chris Ray is healthy, he's presumably making the bullpen out of spring training.

In which case, barring injury, the only real question for the bullpen is, who gets that 7th spot? Mathis? Neftali Feliz, as the power setup guy? Luis Mendoza, who is out of options? Someone else, like an NRI or a Guillermo Moscoso or a Warner Madrigal?

This also, of course, assumes everyone stays healthy, which is a dicey proposition...but it appears that there's a real good chance, given this move, that Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland both start the season in AAA, most likely in the rotation, waiting for an opportunity to come up and replace someone.

Monday morning Rangers stuff

Adam J. Morris — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:14:05 -0000

So, yeah...the news today is that the Rangers are reportedly about to sign Darren Oliver to a one year, $3.5 million deal with a vesting option.

I don't get it. The problem isn't that Oliver has been bad of late -- he hasn't. He's been a solid reliever for the Angels.

The problem is that a lefty setup man/middle reliever doesn't seem to be real high on the Rangers list of needs, and this is a team that supposedly has almost no money to spend. A team with almost no money to spend probably shouldn't be spending it on a 39 year old reliever.

Jeff Wilson writes that Oliver would give the Rangers six lefthanders to sort through for bullpen roles.

To me, this indicates that either C.J. Wilson will be in the rotation, or that he is going to be traded. It doesn't make a lot of sense to go out and get Oliver, and give him a contract like this, if you are going to keep Wilson in the pen.

Wednesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:51:04 -0000

by Keith Birmingham - AP

Another day, another picture of Randy Wolf.

View full size photo »

Some things to read while making your pitch to Gatorade.

It's been roughly 24 hours since we were told the Brewers were "very close" to a deal with Randy Wolf, but said deal has yet to materialize. Both Tom H. and Buster Olney are saying the Brewers are expecting a response today, now that Arn Tellem has had a day to shop the offer around, but reportedly hasn't found anyone willing to match it. Other notes on Wolf:

Tom H. says he "gets the feeling that the Brewers are suprised that Randy Wolf hasn't accepted their three-year offer yet."
Jayson Stark heard that the Brewers' offer to Wolf was bigger than the three year, $28 million deal the Braves recently gave Tim Hudson.
Jon Heyman tweeted that the Mets don't appear likely to land Wolf, and while MLB Trade Rumors lists them as showing interest in five other pitchers, Heyman says the price of mid-level pitching might drive them to spend a little more in pursuit of John Lackey.
The Junkball Blues has a look at the average return teams get on three year contracts to starting pitchers. There are some good ones (Greg Maddux, Andy Pettitte, A.J. Burnett), but also some disasters (Adam Eaton, Jason Schmidt, Carl Pavano).
Jorge Says No! wonders about the wisdom of offering Wolf a third year, but says the Brewers' willingness to do it implies they don't think they can sign Prince Fielder to a long term deal.

By the way, over two months ago Jorge Says No! predicted Wolf would get three years, $31 million on the open market. Impressive.

I feel the need to clarify my position on the Wolf rumor a bit, because I feel I was a little hard on the front office in this one act play last night. I still don't think Wolf wants to play in Milwaukee, which is why Arn Tellem has spent the last 24 hours searching for anyone on a coast willing to match the Brewers' offer. With that said, I'll give credit where credit is due to the front office for finding the guy they wanted and being aggressive in an attempt to get him here. If it turns out that the scenario I laid out is true and Tellem was just using the Brewers to raise the price for someone else, so be it. At least we're talking about the Brewers making an effort, and not hearing the reasons why they can't.

Meanwhile, the Brewers are close to a deal to bring Claudio Vargas back for another season, and are just waiting for formal acceptance from Vargas and his agent (FanShot). Conversation on the deal is probably complicated a bit by the fact that Vargas is currently in the Dominican Republic pitching in winter ball.

They're also expecting an answer sometime today from Craig Counsell, who may or may not be seeking a two year deal for next season. It sounds like Counsell and his agent spent the day yesterday checking out other options. Don't be surprised if a deal gets done relatively quickly.

Ken Macha told reporters yesterday that Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra are the only pitchers guaranteed a spot in the Brewer rotation next season, implying that Dave Bush and Jeff Suppan will have to compete to earn an opportunity (FanShot). Open competition should be good for all involved, especially if the Crew manages to bring in some high-upside pitchers to compete.

Tom H. has all of those notes (and a terrible headline) in his roundup piece today, along with this note: The 40 man roster is starting to fill up, so don't be surprised if the Brewers decide not to take a chance on a Rule 5 pick in tomorrow's draft. I think that's a poor decision. Among others, Tim Dillard and Luis Cruz could probably pass through waivers without much notice. Passing on a cheap lottery ticket to protect one of those guys doesn't seem to make sense.

In the minors:

Project Prospect has a look at the speed of several Brewers who recently performed in the Arizona Fall League. Jonathan Lucroy appears to be in about the middle of the pack, while Taylor Green rated out way on the low end. They mustn't have had enough data to publish a ranking for Lorenzo Cain.
Angel Salome will be the next Brewer prospect to head out for winter ball: He's reportedly leaving at the end of the week to play for Este in the Dominican League. You can keep up with him and all the Brewer winter leaguers in our Winter League Updates.

We're continuing the effort to put together a BCB All Decade Team, and if you haven't cast your first votes yet, there's still time. Voting at first base will remain open until 4 pm today, and voting at second base runs until 4 pm tomorrow. Check back later today to vote for a shortstop.

Around baseball:

Braves: Designated outfielder Ryan Church for assignment.
D-Backs: Acquired pitchers Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy in a three way deal that sent Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and outfielder Austin Jackson and pitchers Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth and Phil Coke to the Tigers.
Mets: Signed 1B/3B Mike Hessman to a minor league deal.
Nationals: Signed outfielder Jerry Owens to a minor league deal.
Phillies: Signed Ross Gload to a two year deal.
Pirates: Are expected to sign Bobby Crosby to a one year deal.
Tigers: Signed catcher Robinzon Diaz, who was recently released by the Pirates.
Twins: Designated Boof Bonser for assignment.
White Sox: Signed Mark Teahen to a three year, $14 million deal, avoiding arbitration.
Yankees: Will receive the #1 pick in tomorrow's Rule 5 Draft as the PTBNL in the Brian Bruney trade.

Meanwhile, ~~Gritty von Canthitalick~~ Jason Kendall continues to search for work, but there's more suitors than you might think: The Rangers are reportedly strongly considering Kendall, now that Jarrod Saltalamacchia injured his shoulder playing winter ball. The Royals have also expressed interest.

From surprising news to what might possibly be the week's least surprising news: John Lackey is having a hard time finding a team willing to offer him a six year deal.

Actually, this might be the most surprising news: Kudos to the BBWAA for their decision to allow Sean Forman of Baseball Reference to join their organization.

We could have used this days ago, but Dave Cameron of FanGraphs has a guide to deciphering sources in Winter Meeting rumors. Again today, the meetings provide us with some things you might never have known without the internet, and wouldn't have missed:

Michael Tucker, who hasn't played in the majors since 2006, is in Indianapolis and wants to play next season.
Rangers pitcher C.J. Wilson heard about a trade offer the Diamondbacks made for him and was offended by it.
C. Trent Rosecrans gave the Meetings' Best Hat Award to Manny Acta.
Blue Jays beat reporter Jordan Bastian gives us a look at the hotel lobby, complete with Christmas tree.
Jonathan Mayo of MiLB.com had to step away from the meetings for a moment to help his mom figure out the TV.

On this day in 1977, the Brewers traded pitchers Jim Slaton and Rich Folkers to the Tigers for Ben Oglivie. The 29 year old Panama native would spend the last nine years of his career as a Brewer, hitting .277/.345/.461, leading the AL with 41 home runs in 1980, and appearing in three All Star games.

Happy birthday today to:

Doc Medich, who made the final ten starts of his major league career for the 1982 Brewers, and turns 61.
Ed Romero, who spent parts of eight seasons as a Brewer in the late 70's and 80's and later served as a minor league infield coordinator and manager. He turns 52.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some snowblowing to do.

Drink up.

T.R. Sullivan mailbag up

Adam J. Morris — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:28:05 -0000

T.R. Sullivan has a new mailbag column up...

A couple of items that jumped out...someone suggests trading David Murphy and Chris Davis for Curtis Granderson. Of course, that wouldn't get you close to getting a deal done...but then Sullivan suggests that if you are going to pay Granderson the $30 million he's due over the next four years, you'd be better off paying Marlon Byrd. The problem there, of course, is that Granderson is a much better player than Byrd, particularly defensively.

There's also a question about giving up Edwin Jackson, who Sullivan says would cost C.J. Wilson and Nelson Cruz or David Murphy. I wouldn't trade any of those three guys for Jackson straight up, personally. Edwin Jackson isn't that good.

Monday morning Rangers stuff

Adam J. Morris — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:07:04 -0000

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

7 months ago: Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus makes a leaping throw to first base on a ground ball by Oakland Athletics' Kurt Suzuki in the sixth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 7, 2009. Suzuki was safe at first and reached second base on the throwing error from Andrus. Oakland won 9-4. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Browse more photos »

Off topic, but for what it is worth, I liked going for it on 4th and 2 with 2 minutes to go last night.

The A.L. Rookie of the Year Award will be announced at 1 p.m. today, and of course, Elvis Andrus is considered one of the frontrunners for the award.

There are several viable candidates, so this isn't one of these things where, if Elvis isn't the winner, it is because he got screwed over by an ignorant collection of voters.

Anthony Andro predicts a third place finish for Elvis, behind (in some order) Rick Porcello and Andrew Bailey.

22 ESPN writers set forth their picks for ROY, and Elvis tied with Porcello at 7 votes apiece.

Richard Durrett runs down the pros and cons of Elvis's case for ROY.

And in non-Elvis news, David Brown takes a look at the possibility of C.J. Wilson joining the starting rotation.

Monday morning Rangers stuff

Adam J. Morris — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:45:03 -0000

Yankees/Phillies in the World Series. Could be worse. Should be an interesting matchup...Yankees are significant favorites, but anything can happen in seven games in baseball.

Richard Durrett talks about the Rangers' long relief options, and thinks that Dustin Nippert and Doug Mathis -- the primary long relievers in 2009 -- will fill that role again in 2010.

T.R. Sullivan has a new mailbag column up, and fields a question on C.J. Wilson in the rotation next year, although he doesn't really give a definitive answer. He also talks about some reasons for Rudy Jaramillo's departure, and the possibility of Fernando Tatis coming back.

And BBTiA looks at the pitch f/x data for Tanner Scheppers.

That Was Exciting: Twins 5, Rangers 3

Jesse — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 23:41:05 -0000

More photos » by Tom Olmscheid - AP

3 months ago: Minnesota Twins' Brendan Harris, bottom, slides home safely on a squeeze play as Texas Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriquez takes the throw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 5-3. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Browse more photos »

Everyone okay?

Both teams had their share of headaches this afternoon. Hank Blalock running into Ivan Rodriguez in foul territory, Josh Hamilton dropping a ball in the gap, Nelson Cruz letting the ball get by him. Twice. Denard Span getting doubled off second base. Joe Nathan double-clutching to botch a double play. There were a lot of mistakes made; more than the fair share for one game.

The Twins still managed to pull it out.

Elvus Andrus singled to score Rodriguez in the third, but until the seventh inning it was the only damage Texas could land off of Scott Baker. Baker had a tight curve this afternoon, and mixing it in with some good movement on his fastball cruised through six innings. All six of Scott's strikeouts came between the second and the sixth, including a pair each for Blalock and Cruz. Even when he allowed base runners, Baker maintained control, and even though he tired in the seventh he gutted out seven great innings.

Jason Kubel had a great afternoon, including giving the Twins their first lead of the day on a frozen rope of a line drive into the right-center field gap that cleared the fence. It was Jason's 21st home run, scoring Justin Morneau who had doubled, and it gave the Twins a 2-1 lead. Oddly enough, Kubel's smash wasn't the highlight of the inning.

Now leading 2-1 and with two outs, Mike Redmond stepped up to the dish. Redmond, who has struggled for much of the season; Redmond, in twilight. Redmond, who until today, had not hit a triple since 2003.

A line drive into the left-center field gap snuck past Cruz just as Redmond rounded first, and as the ball trickled away along the base of the wall, Redmond treated 32,000 fans to something special. He was out of gas by the time he rounded first base, and by the time he turned the corner at second base you could see the mixture of pain and glory in those eyes. Six feet shy of third base Redmond ~~dove~~ belly flopped into the dirt to complete his triple. It energized the fans, it amused the Twins, and there's no doubt it's one of NBP's highlights of the year.

Baker had owned Cruz most of the game, but in the seventh there were some hard-hit balls. Ian Kinsler battled, earning a hard single on the ninth pitch of his plate appearance. Blalock smashed an inside fastball to right field, which Michael Cuddyer caught over his head. Then came Cruz, who homered into the same gap Kubel did, and gave the Rangers their second lead at 3-2.

Jon Rauch's debut was a successful one, giving up a two-out double to Marlon Byrd but logging a scoreless eighth inning with a pair of strikeouts. He did his job, and held the game where it was.

If you missed the bottom of the eighth inning after watching the rest of the game, I pity you. There are certain points in a season that seem pivotal, that are all at once beautiful and magical and perfect, and that's exactly what the bottom of the eighth inning was in today's game. With southpaw C.J. Wilson on the mound, Morneau led off the inning with a six-pitch walk. Gardy chose to leave Kubel in, in spite of his troubles against lefties, and Kubel rewarded his manager's faith with a solid single up the middle.

Cuddyer battled hard, but eventually went down swinging on a wicked slider. Brendan Harris, who had been hitless on the night, then took the first pitch he saw and singled through the hole on the left side of the field to tie the game. Redmond stepped in again, this time half-swinging on a chopper up the first base line. Blalock fielded the ball with no chance to get Redmond at first and went to the plate, where Carlos Gomez (pinch-running for Kubel) slid around the outside of the plate to give the Twins their second lead at 4-3. Nick Punto, who had doubled earlier, showed bunt the whole way and dropped down a brilliant one. No play was possible, Harris scored from third, and the Twins took a 5-3 lead.

It was a gorgeous inning, as entertaining as it was clutch, as it was perfect, and it could only be spoiled by Joe Nathan blowing it in the ninth. Which he nearly did.

Blalock walked and Cruz singled, but when Rodriguez hit a slow chopper right back to Nathan it looked like those mistakes were about to be erased. Nathan fielded, turned and had to double-clutch because nobody was yet covering second base. When he finally threw it was behind Punto, and just like that the bases were loaded with nobody out.

Then the game ended. If you blinked you missed it, but those 11 pitches seemed to take forever. Elvis Andrus down on three pitches; Julio Borbon flying out to Span (now in left); Michael Young grounding out.

This is a long, LONG recap, I know, but the game was over hours ago and I'm still excited by it. Rangers fans probably didn't enjoy the outcome, and it definitely wasn't the most fundamentaly sound contest but it was a great game to watch. The Tigers won, but the White Sox lost, meaning that for the moment our lead for second place in the division is slightly larger.

I could keep going. For now, I'm leaving it here.

Stars
Jason Kubel
Scott Baker
Nick Punto
Mike Redmond
Justin Morneau
Brendan Harris
Joe Nathan (in the end)

Pavano Good, Feldman Better, Rangers Blank Twins

Jesse — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:03:56 -0000

More photos » by Paul Battaglia - AP

3 months ago: Texas Rangers shortstop Omar Vizquel, right, throws to first to complete the double play after forcing out the Minnesota Twins' Michael Cuddyer during the second inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2009, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)

Browse more photos »

Twins 0, Rangers 3. That was frustrating.

It was an early strike by the Rangers that did all the necessary damage on Saturday night. I'm glad I fell asleep during the fifth inning, because I'm pretty sure my frustration wouldn't have let me sleep.

Carl Pavano struck out Julio Borbon to start the game. Good start. Michael Young followed that up with a single and Josh Hamilton doubled into the left-center gap for a run scoring double on a liner just over the outstretched glove of Orlando Cabrera. It gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead three batters into the game, and ultimately it was all they'd need. Two batters later, Ian Kinsler kicked off his big game with a liner into center field to plate Hamilton, completing a two-run first for Texas.

In spite of Carlos Gomez slipping twice in the outfield, Pavano had a solid night. After those two runs scored, he settled in, largely kept Texas off the bases and tallied a few strikeouts.

The offense blanked itself last night as much as the Rangers did it to them. In the first, Joe Mauer grounded into a double play to end the inning. Brendan Harris grounded into another one in the second to end a possible threat. Harris doubled to lead off the fifth but was stranded there. Cabrera and Mauer ended up on second and third with one out in the sixth--Scott Feldman got Jason Kubel to pop out before Neftali Feliz got Michael Cuddyer to strike out on a wicked curveball low and away. Gameday insists it was in the strike zone, but I don't believe it.

After the sixth the Twins were retired in order, nine up and nine down. Feliz knocked them down in the seventh, C.J. Wilson pitched a perfect eighth and Frank Francisco looked every bit the stud while striking out Morneau, Kubel and Cuddyer to lock it up.

Chicago and Detroit did the Twins a favor by losing on Saturday, but these are the games this team needs to be winning. Saturday was a gift day, and it went to waste.

Sunday is another day, and another chance to win. I'll see you for the game.

Stars
#3: Jesse Crain (1.1 IP, 1 K 0 R, .048 WPA)
#2: Orlando Cabrera (0-for-2, 2 BB, .018 WPA)
#1: Carl Pavano (6 IP, 6 H, 7 K, 1 BB, 2 R, .058 WPA)

Duds
Justin Morneau -- Not a good day at the dish.
Alexi Casilla -- A pair of strikeouts, also nicht good.
Jose Mijares -- Gave up a home run to Ivan Rodriguez.

AL West Trade Deadline Bloggers Roundtable

Rev Halofan — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:45:31 -0000

Here is the first part of a great interview with SBN's four AL West bloggers by Sky Kalkman of Beyond The Boxscore, SBN's stattiest blog around... Part 1: Trade Deadline

Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Which teams, under which circumstances, will be buyers over the next three weeks? How about sellers? If there are any undecideds, what will be the tipping point?

Rev Halofan (Halos Heaven): Angels are buyers. No tipping point, the bet is on the table. What do you got?

Jeff Sullivan (Lookout Landing): The M's look like tentative buyers, although a lot could change with these next two games against Texas. Also with all those other games that happen between now and whenever this round table gets published. It's weird trying to predict the future. It's actually kind of a unique position in that the M's could buy and sell. We've already seen them add guys like Langerhans and Hannahan while ditching Yuniesky Betancourt, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that they could subtract from the current Major League roster to plug a different hole.

Adam J. Morris (Lone Star Ball): There are all sort of mixed messages coming out of Texas, and I think the Rangers could be buyers or sellers, depending on the circumstances. Tom Hicks' money problems have been well chronicled, and supposedly, the Rangers can't add significant salary without dumping some salary. I think they would have liked to have moved Hank Blalock, which would have freed up some money to spend, but with Davis getting sent to the minors, they now need Blalock in the everyday lineup. They could move Vicente Padilla, who makes $11 million this year and whose contract is up at the end of the season, in order to add some salary, but that would open a hole in the rotation. The word is that Nolan Ryan is wanting to be more aggressive in making a move to add a veteran -- even if it means giving up more in the way of prospects in order to get a team to pay more of the acquired player's salary -- while Daniels is wanting to be more patient and hold off moving key prospects for now.

67MARQUEZ (Athletics Nation): Billy Beane has managed to be both at this time of the year. Let's just say any move he makes would not shock me. Well, almost any move.

Sky Kalkman (Moderator): What holes will teams be looking to fill? What are the biggest holes they *SHOULD* be looking to fill but don't seem to be concerned about? Which holes from the first half can be plugged internally, perhaps by improvement the same player?

Rev Halofan (Halos Heaven): If the Angels give Wood playing time and Vlad and Torii come back in August they need pitching. Relief Pitching and Starting Pitching and they do not have that internally. They think they have relief, though and I see them going after an overpaid third starter.

Jeff Sullivan (Lookout Landing): The team is looking for a shortstop, because Ronny :(edeno hasn't cut it. They should probably also think about exploring the reliever market, because the bullpen hasn't been very good at all, ERA be damned. I'd like to think that they could improve the bullpen internally, but I'm not sure. Finally having a lefty out there should help. Adrian Beltre should hit better than he did early in the year if he ever comes back, and his return would be a big boon should this team stay in the race for that long.

Adam J. Morris (Lone Star Ball): The Rangers need a righthanded hitting first baseman, but don't seem inclined to go that direction. If they make a move, it was long suggested that they'd look for bullpen help, because they are in dire need of a righty power arm to pair with C.J. Wilson late in the game. But with Neftali Feliz apparently primed to come up and pitch out of the bullpen, and El Duque being considered as a relief option, it appears that the Rangers are focusing more on a starting pitcher.

67MARQUEZ (Athletics Nation): There was a gaping hole on the left side of the infield, but Mark Ellis' return has allowed Adam Kennedy to man the hot corner, and Orlando Cabrera is starting to warm up a bit. It wouldn't hurt my feelings to see Daric Barton get a sustained opportunity at first.

Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Who are the most popular trade targets for those holes? Any targets flying under the radar? Any targets your team is especially intrigued in? Any popular names they're backing away from? Any rumors you'd like to start?

Rev Halofan (Halos Heaven): to paraphrase Axl Rose, The Angels got the money honey, do you have their disease? I'd say they get the most bang for buck if they trade Joe Saunders and Trevor Reckling (WTF with all these Trevors by the way? Was there a character on Miami Vice or a dude in Duran Duran named Trevor?) for Roy Halladay. They could even throw in Juan Rivera and take Vernon Wells and his salary. And they would be stupid enough to do it.

Jeff Sullivan (Lookout Landing): If a target was flying under the radar, how would we know about it? The most frequently-mentioned names coming up right now are Jack Wilson, JJ Hardy, and Freddy Sanchez. Hardy won't come cheap and Sanchez would pose a roster problem if and when Beltre returns, but it seems to me that the M's could have Wilson for a fairly low price were they so inclined.

67MARQUEZ (Athletics Nation): Pat Burrell is a name that came up recently, as the A's sent a scout to watch a Jays-Rays game.

Adam J. Morris (Lone Star Ball): The Rangers have been linked with Roy Halladay, although the Jays would probably want a couple of guys from the Holland/Feliz/Justin Smoak/Martin Perez quadumvirate, plus another couple of prospects, and I can't see Texas biting the bullet on that deal. And they supposedly can't add salary unless they move someone else (such as Hank Blalock). I think if they add someone, it will be a cheap (in terms of prospects and money) righty bat that can play some first base, such as Nomar Garciaparra.

Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Which prospects and young major leaguers are most likely to change hands? Any that teams have deemed off-limits?

Rev Halofan (Halos Heaven): Angels won't trade Brandon Wood or Jered Weaver. Erick Aybar and Kendry Morales have the most value, Saunders goes for sure if it is a "marquee" trade.

Jeff Sullivan (Lookout Landing): I don't know that anyone has been declared off-limits, although it wouldn't be hard to figure out which Mariners could be dealt and which ones couldn't. Wladimir Balentien and Jeff Clement look like total trade bait. Maybe Greg Halman, too, depending on the target.

67MARQUEZ (Athletics Nation): With Beane, that can never be declared, but it is unlikely that the A's part ways with any of their next Big Three.

Adam J. Morris (Lone Star Ball): Every team is going to be asking about the big four -- Feliz, Holland, Smoak, and Perez. And the Rangers aren't going to part with one of those guys unless it is part of a deal to bring in a big-time difference maker under team control for a while. I wouldn't be shocked if the Rangers opted to dangle Nelson Cruz as part of a package for an impact pitcher, though, since the plan is to put Josh Hamilton in RF long-term to make room for Julio Borbon in center, and Cruz is a nice middle-of-the-order bat who is cheap and under team control for a while, giving him a fair amount of value.

Sky Kalkman (Moderator): Without any trade-deadline moves, what has to happen for your team to win the division? How much more likely is your team to make the playoffs by plugging its holes or adding an impact player?

Rev Halofan (Halos Heaven): At perfect health we're the class of this division by a mile and in dire straights health-wise and no deal we have a 1 and a half game lead at the All Star Break. Translation: The three of you don't look any scarier in my rear view mirror.

67MARQUEZ (Athletics Nation): As much as I hate to admit it (and I really, really do), Rev is right. At the beginning of the season we talked about many things having to go right for the A's to win the West. And now? Short of the teams ahead of them going into the tank all at once, I'm not even sure this question was even meant for me. Adding an impact player won't even help at this stage. Unless we're talking Albert Pujols. And even then...

Adam J. Morris (Lone Star Ball): For the Rangers to win the division without any moves, they need Josh Hamilton to start hitting like Josh Hamilton again, Chris Davis to start hitting like Chris Davis again, and the pitching staff to stay healthy. I think if that happens, they'll stay in it all the way and could steal the division from the Angels.

Jeff Sullivan (Lookout Landing): If the Mariners are to win the division, they'll need the offense to play to its projection level, the Angels to play to theirs, and Erik Bedard to remain healt-oh my god we're boned. Bringing in a shortstop would help, but given that our playoff chances (now as of this writing on July 17th!) are somewhere around 12%, not even Hanley Ramirez would make us favorites. We just need luck. Either the M's need to play over their heads, or the Angels have to play under theirs. Or both. Both would make it easy.

PART TWO COMING SOON !!

Game Recap: Rangers Homer Homer Homer off of Smoltz.

Allen Chace — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 04:34:25 -0000

More photos » by LM Otero - AP

Yeah. My thoughts exactly. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Browse more photos »

I don't even know what to say about this one. Looked like a decent pitching duel (helped along with some baserunning/decision-making errors by the Sox) until the 6th, when the Rangers just hammered the f. out of Smoltz's pitches. The wheels came off the 2-1 victory wagon and it fell into a 6-2 loss ravine.

Consolation? Good bullpen work tonight, as Delcarmen, Saito and Masterson combined for 2 1/3 scoreless after Smoltz departed. 4 strikeouts and 3 baserunners allowed by the trio. And really, Smoltz was excellent until the 6th. But that's kind of like saying my work softball team was decent after the first inning last night, where we had the small problem of only managing one base runner and allowing ten runs by the other team. Can't erase it, and f' if it didn't ruin the outcome of the game quite significantly.

The offense was just a mess. DP and Ells (back in the leadoff spot) combined to reach base once, while Bay and Drew continue to battle (mini) slumps. I don't care how deep 'Tek's 2B was, sending Lowell home from first at most any time seems foolish. Lowrie is still working his way back. Lowell, Papi, Youks, and 'Tek are the only hitters who shouldn't have had required batting practice after the game.

Good pitching from the Rangers, as Millwood was effective if inefficient, and C.J. Wilson shut the door with 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his 8th save.

On the plus side, it's one game. The first of the series which, yes, we can still win.

Beckett goes tomorrow, and I have no doubt he brought his a-kicking shoes. Wakefield on Wednesday, and while I have reservations based on the environment, he has been pretty steady and reliable for us this season.