SB Nation User Blog: laxtonto

ESPN Makes their Picks to start the All-star Game

laxtonto — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:14:22 -0000

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar08/news/story?id=3472772

In advance of the All-Star Game selections on Sunday, ESPN.com surveyed 32 of ESPN's top baseball minds to find out which players should be starting in the 79th Midsummer Classic on July 15 at Yankee Stadium. Following are the voting results and the choices at each position

Its not a surprise that Texas has 4 starters, the bigger surprise the margin with Kinsler 26 more than Perdoria, Young 10 more than Jeter, Bradley 22 more than Manny, and Hamilton getting 32 votes to lead the OFers...

Minors 6/29

laxtonto — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:53:00 -0000

AAA

Nippert 7ip no hitter, 2 BB 5K

JMjr 1-2 2b, 1BB, 1r

Arias 2-3

Borbon 1-5 1 r 1 sb

Vallejo 2-3 2b, 1 sb 1E

Elvis 1-3 2r 1 rbi 2 sb including stealing home

Low A

Beltre 1-3, BB

Beaven 5ip, 5h, 1 BB, 5K

Rookie

Blier 2ip so far, 1 h 2Ks

AZL

Main 5ip, 3h, 3r, 3er, 2 bb, 7k

Hopefully i didnt miss anything....

Josh Hamilton #2 in Allstar Votes in AL OF

laxtonto — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:33:55 -0000

What a difference a SI cover story will do for you. Josh Hamilton has jumped from a distant 6th last week to 2nd this week dislodging Vald out of the OF mix in the AL.

In other news, Kinsler moved up over Brian Roberts to a distant 4th at 2B and MY holds at 3rd well behind the leader Jeter.

Thanks again to everyone who has been voting for our home town favorites. Keep stuffing those ballot boxes guys!!!

Link

May 7th Rumor Mill

laxtonto — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:27:17 -0000

Rangers Laird and Catalanotto to Bronx?
I wouldn't rule the Yankees out for Frank Catalanotto. Jason Giambi appears to be about done, and Catalanotto, a native New Yorker, might be a good guy in a pinch. He could be potentially paired with Rangers catcher Gerald Laird, who might hold some interest to the Yankees, pending the long-term prognosis on Jorge Posada. -- Dallas Morning News

Texas might dump Washington and Broussard?
Ben Broussard and Ron Washington are linked. If the Rangers end up making a managerial change, I wouldn't be surprised if they made two announcements at the same time; the second being designating Broussard for assignment. -- Dallas Morning News

Texas to give Salty more playing time?
There was no reason the Rangers had to move Jarrod Saltalamacchia into a platoon role. They could have used him as a straight backup and part-time DH (though with Milton Bradley's inability to play the outfield every day, there would be some issues there). In the short-term, it's apparently their only solution. Long-term, I expect Laird will be traded before the summer is out. -- Dallas Morning News

Botts a complete bust with Rangers?
Why did the Rangers' pull the plug on Jason Botts so fast this season and designate him for assignment? Here's why: Botts simply has not taken advantage of any of the brief glimpses the Rangers have given him. In the last 75 years, there have been 3,341 non-pitchers to have careers of at least 300 plate appearances. Botts currently ranks 3,334th on that list in plate appearances-per-strikeout (3.02). He's right there with Russell Branyan and Jared Sandberg. -- Dallas Morning News

All can be found on Ben Maller's MLB rumors

http://msn.foxsports.com/rumors/mlb

Engel Beltre

laxtonto — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:32:15 -0000

Engel Beltre, in the Midwest League: .295/.331/.446

The MWL is a pitcher's league, and low-A is generally populated by guys who are a year or two out of high school, international signees, and lower-light college draftees in their first pro season.

Beltre is 18 years old...if he were American, he'd be in the 2008 draft.

Two high school hitters went in the top three picks in 2007, and they both project as CIFs. Mike Moustakos, who went #2 overall, is hitting .198/.260/.260 in the Midwest League right now. Josh Vitters, who went #3 overall, is hitting .214/.214/.429 in just 4 games in the MWL, after posting an aggregate 281 OPS in 14 games in the minors last yaer.

per Lonestarball

Engel Beltre went 4-for-5 with a homer and three RBI for low Single-A Clinton on Sunday.
David Murphy and Kason Gabbard have already paid dividends, but Beltre has the most raw talent of the players the Rangers picked up from the Red Sox for Eric Gagne last summer. The 18-year-old is batting .295/.331/.446 in the Midwest League.

per rotoworld

Who does he remind you of? What are your concerns still at this point in his developement?

And no angry hate remarks about the Gagne deal.....

Jason Botts...?

laxtonto — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:40 -0000

Very rarely do i ever star my thread, but after Texas DFA 'ed Jason Botts today, i am finally tempted to try this again.

What is the overall board opinion of Jason Botts? He has never had consistent Ab's in the majors, but has flat out raked in the minors. Currently he is striking out almost every other AB in the majors. He currently has 2Hrs, 8 BB and 3 2B's in 38 ABs. 5 of his 6 AB's have been for extra bases.

So? What do you think? Will he get picked up? Does he have a chance as a MLB regular?

Hank Blalock anyone?

laxtonto — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:54:59 -0000

With it looking more and more each game they play that Texas is going to be sellers at the deadline, if not sooner. What would you give up for Blalock?

He would definately add some of the missing power to the Dodgers lineup.

He seems to have recovered from his weird injury from last year (Thorasic Outlet Syndrome?) and is signed for a reasonable 6mil this year with and option for 6.2 next...

LaRoach +?

Steve Phiilps on Micheal Young

laxtonto — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:40:08 -0000

Ben in Texas: With the steady demise of the Ranger's season, what would be likelyhood of Micheal Young getting traded? And if so, what would be his expected value in return?

Steve Phillips: (1:27 PM ET ) Michael Young could bring back some decent talent. Most teams probably wouldn't look at him as a SS, more as a second baseman, as his defense has declined. His value is probably greatest on the other side of the infield. You are getting some age with him, and he won't bring back a No. 1 starter, but he could nab a blue-chip prospect. Most good teams already have a good SS, so he'll be better served as an offseason trade .

Hummm lets see....Who could need a 2B by the break?

Col, LAD, Cubs, CHW, Indians, maybe KC....

Just a thought...

Favorite Baseball Movie Lines

laxtonto — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 02:00:13 -0000

Its time for a little light hearted chatter guys. Ive been looking for another great baseball movie quote to add in as a sig line on another baseball site. My personal favorite is the one i use out of the natural, but im definately up for some more...

And "Wow those guys suck" from Major League is not an option.....

Luke Scott

laxtonto — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 03:58:25 -0000

With the emergence of Hunter Pence, the trading for Bourn and with Carlos Lee entrenched, what is Houston planning on doing with him?

Ive got a few questions for you guys:

How well would he do getting 500 AB
What do you think the Astros would demand for him
Would he an upgrade for OF spots for Texas?

Thanks guys