SB Nation User Blog: NYTXFAN

Tuesday's Game in NY- NYTXFAN thoughts!

NYTXFAN — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:29:11 -0000

So I just got back home to Rochester from NYC and thought I would offer my thoughts on the game. This was only my third Rangers game in 26 years of my life. The first two were against Toronto.

Not really sure where to start. First off Yankee stadium is really nice compared to the old stadium. The old stadium was worn down and very tiny in terms of how many people would come to a game. The new stadium seemed very spacious. But enough of the that. On to the festivities.

I got to the game in time for batting practice. It was fun. I had gotten the chance to get Andy Pettite's auto for my father. Funny story here. Back when I was younger, we attended a Red Wing and Columbus game. Back then the hype was surrounded by Andy Pettite and Andy Stankquitz(Not sure on the spelling). We would always go and try and get autos so this time was no different. We got close to Pettite and was trying to get him to sign. He was basically being a dick and wouldn't even look over. Then some nice kid that played SS came over and said "Hey kid. What's your name? Andy can't sign today cause he is pitching but I will!" Okay but who the hell are you. Turns out he would become one of the best SS and Yankee players I would ever get to know in my life. Mr. Derek Jeter.

Anyway, once I saw the Rangers come out for practice I decided to get closer to them. And I did. I got to talking with Eddie G a little first. Nice guy. Then I immediately saw Neftali. I screamed to him "HEY Neftali, where's the backpack?" Half the team turned to me and started chuckling. Very funny. That's when I saw BGL and said, "BGL your my hero." He turned and smiled. Very cool guys on this team and it makes me happy to be a fan. Next, I saw Mike Maddux and asked him if anybody was gonna sign some autos and he didn't even acknowledge me. I kept telling them to come over and sign something for the lone Ranger fan in attendance but it didn't work. I then got asked to my seat.

Believe me when I say it, NY has very very few fans of the Texas Rangers. I felt very alone. Of course I clapped when my guys came up to bat the first inning, but then was shut up quick due to a 4 run Yankee first off Milly. I believe he had three walks in the first few innnings and I knew it wasn't gonna be a great night for him. However, Joba hadn't pitched in 8 days so I figured it was gonna be rough for him also. And it was. The Rangers offense picked him apart in key two out situations. Very nice to finally see the offense take control.

Still have a man crush on Davis. Very nice to see he had a decent game offensively. I told him that at the end of the game. He smiled and walked in the dugout. Many fans were suprised with his defense, but I wasn't. He plays a huge defense at first. It really reminds me of Tex.

Just some quick player thoughts.

Elvis is awesome. I Heart this kid. He is gonna be a huge part to this team winning. Borbon, even though not in the field, looked good on offense. He makes things happen on the bases. Pudge still has it in him. Mike Young is still my favorite Ranger. Hammy looked very wierd in right, almost like he shouldn't have been there. He needs work in right. Byrds diving catch shut the fans right up. I jumped up started screaming and clapping. Oh that feeling is great. But he is gone next year unless he wants to take a bench role cause Borbon is deffinitly the future here. Kins is the new pop up imo. Cruz is a threat but chased some breaking balls when up to bat. Still something that he needs to fix.

On to pitching. Millwood is a terrible ace on this staff. He cannot carry us at all. I like him, but he just looks worn out. Not a good sign going into a playoff race. Next, Feliz. FUCKING HEART HIM. He is increadibly good. He throws so effortlessly. Yankee fans couldn't believe it. He would go from a 98 MPH to an 80 slider. Crazy good. I could see him taking over closing duities in Frank has a stretch of bad games. He could handle it. He puts the ball where players can hit it but they just can't do it. Just an awesome piece to our pitching puzzle. I was a little suprised at the amount of time he was out there, but he handled it just fine. O'Day looked great and I wish Wash would keep him out longer then he does. He is defenitly a go to guy. Not impressed with Grilli at all. I just don't like what I saw. Frankie Frank seemed like he was pitching to the dirt a lot and not the batters. Leading to a terrible 9th inning that had me on the edge of my seat. I thought oh shit! It's happening again. They are gonna come back and win from a big deficit like they did last year. I was on the edge of my seat. They pulled it off though. My parents left early and were watching the replay in said it looked like he was safe at secong but I haven't seen it yet, but it was an out so eat it.

All and all, what a great game for me to see. They showed promise in the bottom of the order(Davis, Elvis) and at the top(Borbon, Young, Hammy), showed increadible defense(besides Hammy in right), and the pitchers showed why this team can contend(besides the meltdown, O'Day and Feliz seemed lights out).

I love this team......I Love Rangers Baseball. I might add more thoughts but I just wrote a story so my head is all jumbled at the moment.

TR- Sheets unlikely for Texas:(

NYTXFAN — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:44:31 -0000

http://trsullivan.mlblogs.com/

Well, Bummer.

2. Did the Rangers look? Yes. Sheets lives here and is from Louisana. He is also a No. 1 starter. That mandates the Rangers consider him. The Rangers also need pitching. That mandates Sheets being interested in them. It's a perfect match. They had two weeks to get it done. Both have little in the way of alternatives. And it's still not done.

3. The Rangers can't afford him? Don't go there. Budget? Economy? No. The owner of this team has been willing to commit when he feels it's necessary. Millwood, Padilla, Zito, Kinsler, Young, amateur draft, international signings, ballpark improvement. Times are tough but Hicks would commit to Sheets if he felt the need. It's obvious he doesn't.

Something just doesn't feel right. This just isn't going to get done.

That part right there,"Times are tough but Hicks would commit to Sheets if he felt the need. It's obvious he doesn't."

WHAT THE FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS TEAM NEEDS PITCHING. ALWAYS HAS AND ALWAYS WILL. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH SIGNING THIS GUY FOR TWO YEARS TO HELP THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR MINOR LEAGUERS. I CAN'T TAKE HICKS. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. And yes I know the caps were on. thats me shouting.

Merry Christmas everyone!

NYTXFAN — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 13:21:22 -0000

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all enjoy spending the day with family and loved ones. It's been a pleasure to know such intellegent people and it's even better to be part of, imo, the best community around.

So on this Christmas Day, share the love and remember 2010 is our target year for a championship, and don't settle for anything less.

From Big Badd Bubba J aka NYTXFAN....Dots dont count as words like in the old version.

Rangers to seek arms at winter meetings....

NYTXFAN — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:16:26 -0000

Sorry guys if this was posted, but I have to address a big issue I have with this article as well as some other points of interest:

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081201&content_id=3697780&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

My issue right here: "The Rangers have had extended conversations with the Red Sox but have been told that Clay Buchholz is not available. The Red Sox have other pitching of interest to the Rangers -- Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden among others -- but so far the two teams have not been able to match up. That's likely because the Red Sox want Saltalamacchia or Teagarden rather than Laird."

R u fucking kidding? Is JD really asking Boston to trade Buchz for Laird? If so, I'm sorry, but I would be jumping on the "fire JD" bandwagon real fast. How can you not give up a Salts or Tea for him? That doesn't even make sense and JD really needs to trade either or for him if that's on the table. Laird will never get a Buchz type pitcher. He might be enough for a good bullpen arm, but definitely not a stud pitching prosepct.

"The other area of depth is the outfield. Byrd, David Murphy, Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton were all regulars at some point last year, while Brandon Boggs and Greg Golson -- recently acquired from the Phillies -- provide depth. Julio Borbon, the top outfield prospect, is close to being Major League ready."

F'N AWESOME!!! When have we ever had quality depth in the outfield? Well, not since the playoffs days at least. I remember a few years back when we were all bitching about how this team had no outfield, remember. Do you remember the Mench hidalgo, laynce Nyx outfields we used to put on the field?

"Daniels still think there's a "good chance" the Rangers will make a move involving at least one of their catchers before the winter is over."

Good to hear Mr. Daniels because is we don't I think I will vomit.

Aw fuck: "We're OK bringing back all four guys if it comes down to that and the right deal is not out there," Daniels said." There goes the good chance.

"The biggest question is what kind of pitching the Rangers can get back in a trade. The Rangers look for both starting and relief pitching."

I think I could live with a nice bullpen arm for Laird. Someone dependable and cheap. I could also live with a maybe not so near to near ready prospect for the other catchers, but starting pitching not so much. Like Adam said in the front page news, our rotation might be set. Right now it's crowded with competition so I could live with a high upside minor league arm who might be ready in a year or two, but if we can get a stud now, then you do it.

Anyway, a lot of good spicy stuff in there so talk it up and sorry if it was posted already.

Could the Tigers be a potential fit for a trade?

NYTXFAN — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:01:24 -0000

Here is an interesting post from mlbtraderumors.com where a writer tries to predict the Tigers off season. Of course it includes a blurb about Texas maybe being a potential partner for a trade. The Tigers need a SS and a veteran catcher(according to Jim Leyland).

"The Tigers could also look to the Rangers for a shortstop. They have Elvis Andrus and Joaquin Arias in the pipeline, as well as Michael Young, whose five-year, $80MM extension just begins kicking in for 2009. To get a catcher and a shortstop from Texas, I would imagine, wouldn't happen without the inclusion of Rick Porcello."

Let the discussion begin. If I remember correctly, Mr. Porcello was someone that many people wish was drafted by Texas. We needed a highly touted pitcher that could possibly make an impact within a few years at the major league level. However, that didn't happen and we drafted both Blake Beavan AND Michael Main before Rick Porcello was even drafted.

If I were the Rangers, I'd be intriged with that name if the Tigers were willing to talk. I might even give them their choice of catcher. SS is a different story because you have Elvis who is less than a year away before he make a debut and Arias hasn't exactly shown that he can man SS. Young wouldn't be taken unless we kicked in some cash because the Tigers want to get younger, not older.

I'm actually torn about it really. Lets say the Tigers want Tea and Elvis, do you do it? Or Salts and Elvis, do you think Detroit does it? Do you see Leyland trading for maybe two experienced players like Laird and Young?

Realistically, what package do you see both teams agreeing on? Discuss.

Gerald laird plus a solid prospect for Chris Volstad?

NYTXFAN — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:08:33 -0000

Did any one see this? Reeves wrote it and Im sure it's been posted and talked about.

There’s also no question that Daniels will try to add a young starter from outside the organization with a trade, probably from the Rangers’ abundant depth at catcher. They were highly interested in Florida’s Chris Volstad at the trade deadline and were willing to deal Gerald Laird and a solid prospect. They’ll look for similar opportunities this winter.

He is young, fits JD's mold. It's a shame it didn't happen. He seems to have a bright future in baseball, but of course not with us. When does a pitcher besides Nolan have a good future with us. Anybody?

10 trades in ten days- final recap

NYTXFAN — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:58:36 -0000

Well, my time at the Yankees game on Weds. was jaw dropping. they beat the O's en route to a 13 to 2 win. I'll tell ya what, for being a day game at 1 o'clock, I was very suprised to see so many people turn out to see a game. In one word, WoW! If anybody ever gets the chance to see a game there this year I highly recommend it, even if you aren't a fan of the stupid Yanks. Amazing time I had, but on to the results.

Its amazing that when I proposed a trade it either was majority no, or majority yes. Nothing really in the middle. You know its hard to actually make both teams happy with a trade, thus making it difficult to find trading partners. Especially ones that are contenders. We didn't match up with every team. So during our activity me as GM, along with lonestarballers across the nation, completed 3 out of 10 trades. I think that's actually pretty damn good. We get slight salary relief but nothing major.

We aquired Alan Horne, Austin Jackson, Donald Veal, and Homer Bailey. We traded away Padzilla, Cruz, Eddie"G Money", The ByrdMan, and Lard. A decent package of pitchers and out of the four players acquired I think the outfielder Jackson becomes the biggest star out of the bunch. However, Veal and Bailey should rebound on whats been a mildly dissapointing season where they have seemed to loose what they once had. I think Horne becomes a solid #3 pitcher, even on a contending team.

So for 2009, I believe Horne gets a shot in Sring Training to oh and ah people, but ultimately starts the year in AAA. Same goes for Jackson, although I think he gets sent back to AA until there is a spot for him in AAA, because I'd imagine Borbon would be there. Veal and Bailey get a deep look in Spring training and I think both guys make the team with one going to long relief with Mr. Rupe. If I had to take an educated guess I'd say it would be Veal. Of course, all our players will struggle some, but I think this turns out to be a very special SP unit.

Our SP contains the oft-injured Millwodd anchoring a rotation with ? marks. It would be nice to see BMac rebound so huge that he nails down the #2 slot, which to me isn't all that far away. Hurley slides in behind him, followed by Mr. Harrison, and Homer"Duh"Bailey. Of course you have Feldman, Veal, Hunter, and Neftali all waiting in the wings. Ultimately, I believe, this is how your 25 man roster and position battles turn out come the start of 2009:

Millwood

BMac

Hurley

Harrison

Bailey

RP(closer will be by committee next year, due to CJ being the only lefty in the pen and him being needed for more than just the 9th inning-take a guess on who comes out on top, Im guessing Fx2)

CJ Wilson

Frank Francisco

Warner Madrigal

Hunter

Veal

Rupe

Nippert

Your outfield looks like this:

"The Murph"/Boggs tandem

Hammy

Bradley

Your infield stays intact except for the Catcher spot:

Davis

Kins

Young

Blalock

Tea/Salts

Your bench is as follows:

MaxRam

Duran

Metcalf

Bold Predictions for the 08 offseason and 09 season:

I think we keep it fairly quite in the offseason and do all are promoting within.

Bradley signs a 2 year extention this offseason.

You know MaxRam's bat will force him into the lineup either at DH, 1st, or catcher.

Bradley wont be playing everyday in RF so you basically will see the outfield the same way as you do now, except hammy gets more reps in RF preparing himself for the switch in 2 years for Borbon or Jackson, whoever comes first.

The SP hold up and your #2-5 starters remain on the field without hitting the DL(Of course we'll have the occasional spot starts to give these kids some rest, and of course a blister or what not that causes them to miss a start here and there).

Millwood gets traded and brings a bigger return then Pads did the year before.

"The Murph"/Boggs Tandem replaces Kins at the top of the order, followed by Young, Hammy, Davis. Kinsler becomes your much needed #5 bat. Bradley slides into the sixth spot. Followed by MaxRam, Blalock, and Tea.

Our bullpen is making news by being the best in baseball.

Our offense scores more runs than opponents score on us.

Guys that see promotions to the bigs are as follows: Diamond, Arias, Mayberry and Feliz. Please don't ask me how they fit into the 25 man roster that I put into place because honestly so much could happen by then making it nessesary for them to be put on the 25 man(Injury, trades, etc.).

So there you go, your new 25 man. Hope you guys enjoyed our activity and be ready because I plan to do the same come Winter Meetings. Any ideas and or suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks,

B3J

2 trades in 1 day-part 2

NYTXFAN — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:21:11 -0000

Quick review everybody: We traded Pads, Lard,Cruz, Byrd, and Eddie G for minor leaguers Horne, Jackson, Veal, and Bailey. Impressive haul if you ask me. Three very good prospect pitchers(Bailey shouldn't count), and a CF prospect who holds a high value.

Breaking news: The Texa Rangers trade Hank Blalock to the Phillies for Antonio Bastardo, and Julian Sampson.

This last one is hard because I dont see us as a fit with Philly and Im rushing it. So vote and come Friday or late thursday I'll have a final break down on our activity.

Im off to NY in less than 24 hours to see the Yanks and Orioles so enjoy everybody.

Poll

Blalock for Antonio Bastardo, and Julian Sampson?

Yes

19 votes

No

47 votes

I would but Philly wouldn't

14 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

2 trades in 1 day- part 1

NYTXFAN — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:53:01 -0000

So the Mets trade got shot down, which is nice. I really dont want Davis to get traded, he is a beast in the making.

The second trade is official. The Rangers trade Gerald"OMFT"Laird to the Cincinnati Reds for Homer"Duh" Bailey.

On to todays trade.

Breaking News: the Texas Rangers Trade RF Milton Bradley and German Duran to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor leaguers Jarrod Parker and Brooks Brown.

Duran could be a possible stop gap at second if they let Hudson go after this year, but who knows, Duran could take advantage of playing everyday. He should hit for average, right? Bradley is the big RF bat they lack right now. They have the pitching to go deep into the playoffs, but do they have the offense?

At first glance, you might say why they hell would they trade their #1 prospect and another top 10 for a half a season of Bradley and a possible utilty infielder? Bradley is getting the 'Backs two picks if he leaves and with an already stacked system their GM isn't afraid to make a deal for an impact bat.

Would you do it?

Poll

Bradley and Duran for Jarrod Parker and Brooks Brown?

yes

31 votes

no

26 votes

I would but Arizona wouldn't

32 votes

89 votes | Poll has closed

Part 2 of our trade for the day

NYTXFAN — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:29:33 -0000

This one comes from Boomer and it got me thinking.

Breaking news: The Rangers trade Gerald Laird for Homer Bailey.

Now I think Bailey would get lit up but he is worth the flyer. I dont see Laird fitting in long term here and I doubt he has a big bounce back type year that makes us go " Damn it, we shouldn't have traded him."

We Get a pitcher who is major league ready, but hasn't seen any success at this level.

Poll

OMFT for Homer"Duh"Bailey?

Yes

78 votes

No

8 votes

I would but Cinnci wouldn't

50 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed