The Rangers are not totally buried in the American League postseason hunt, but have already fallen eight games back of the division-leading Astros. Particularly with a variety of notable players on the DL, it’s increasingly difficult to see the Rangers contending in 2018. Here’s the latest from Texas:
- Some Rangers fans are displeased with the fact that top prospect Willie Calhoun is plying his trade at Round Rock rather than with the Rangers. GM Jon Daniels bristled at the notion that Calhoun was being held down due to service-time considerations, as Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes. Rather, says Daniels, Calhoun is still at Triple-A because “he’s still working on his defense.” It probably does not help that Calhoun isn’t off to the best start at the plate, though nobody doubts his bat is ready for the majors. Daniels says he’s “really encouraged” by what he has heard about Calhoun’s defensive work thus far, but indicated that it will need to get up to snuff before the call is made.
- More broadly, Daniels certainly sounds like a man who’s well aware of the uphill climb facing his team this year. As Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports, the team’s top baseball exec acknowledges that “injuries have certainly eroded what depth there was.” That’s obviously sub-optimal, but he does say there are still benefits to the situation. “The upside is that a lot of guys are getting valuable experience they wouldn’t otherwise get,” Daniels said. “That doesn’t do a whole lot for the fans who want to see immediate returns, but long-term we’re going to benefit from experiences [young players] are getting.”
- The Rangers have placed righty Chris Martin on the 10-day DL, per a club announcement. He’s dealing with irritation in his right forearm. Fellow right-hander Nick Gardewine will take his spot on the active roster. That represents another blow to the team’s MLB roster. Though Martin owns a 5.14 ERA on the year, that’s due mostly to the disastrous recent outing that came in advance of the DL placement. Otherwise, he has generally been effective, carrying a solid combination of 8.4 K/9 against 1.9 BB/9 while showing a mid-nineties fastball.
Jon let’s Mazara play RF so clearly outfield defense isn’t that big of a consideration to the club. It is 100% about service time considerations as Calhoun was the big piece from the Davish trade and Jon can’t lose yet ANOTHER trade.
Eh, it would be a bigger loss if Darvish walked for nothing in return.
The main reason they haven’t brought him up is because if he doesn’t play until May 4th the Rangers can retain his contract for a while extra year, due to the amount of game he played last year… it’s a long term strategic move. Now if he still isn’t pulled up by May 4th for Nunez, Rua, or Robinson. The something really is wrong with JD
He’s also not hitting in the minors this year but you don’t talk about that. They already have one Joey Gallo, how many more do they need?
Whoa, I wouldn’t go that far. We’re talking about a 19/10 K/BB ratio, as opposed to Gallo’s 30/10 ratio. Willie is having a bad stretch right now, mixed with a bit of tough breaks. Still has a .270 Bapip.
Darvish would have stayed for 2 months and walked in FA anyway. They got Willie Calhoun instead. I really don’t see how that is losing. Maybe Calhoun doesn’t hit, and in hindsight it looks like a bad trade. But getting a top 50 prospect out of 2 months of Darvish is a huge win.
Mazara is a reliable outfielder with a cannon arm. He’s a little slow but he isn’t bad. So I don’t really agree with him being an example in your post.
When exactly is the service time cut off date?
Followed by the super 2 cut off date? I couldn’t find it anywhere. Calhoun might as well mark those as travel dates.
Well, that’s what everyone though of Acuna Jr, and he wasn’t called up immediately. Maybe the guy just needs to hit first
Daniels said yesterday that Calhoun isn’t coming up anytime soon. May 3rd is the date that the club will gain an extra year of control but Calhoun isn’t getting a look while Guzmán is up playing 1st base. The club wants to give Rua one final shot to show them something at the big league level but it’s a obvious that he’ll never make enough contact to be even a 2nd division regular
He should – Calhoun – come up Guzman isn’t exactly tearing up the place.
The Rangers are going to butcher Calhoun’s development just like they did with Profar.
So the Rangers are going to get Calhoun to injure his own shoulder? Another Jays fan with a grudge.
Profar was misused in every facet you can imagine. Perhaps Profar avoids injury had Daniels not mismanaged the entire roster. Daniels being employed is criminal. But hey, if you enjoy a GM putting together a sloppy baseball team then you have your man in Texas.
Some people should be allowed to comment before have psych Evals. Profane was injury prone, regardless of his usage. Just like you should be prosecuted for comments. JEEZ
Shouldn’t
How about you stop rewriting history; Profar’s first injury was 2014. Profar was supposedly “ready” in 2012. He was kept down in the minors in 2012 and 2013 because Daniels overpaid Andrus to an extension and Ian Kinsler was one of the best 2B in baseball. Profar could have been in the majors by 2013, and perhaps the first injury never happens. Maybe. Daniels had his chance to either deal Profar or play him. He did none of the above.
Either way, ease up on your “psych evals”. You brought zero facts to back up your pathetic attempt at a putdown. Very easy to say Profar is injury prone at this time. Not 5 years ago.
Yup!
I don’t really understand how you butcher Calhoun’s development. Dodger fans knew the bat was so far ahead of his defensive abilities. That was even before he was groomed to be a majority outfielder. The kid can simply hit, but defensively ehhhh. His ability to make contact and pop is not going anywhere. I don’t see how you butcher his development. Seems to me throwing him out in a position he’s green at and well not very good at the mlb level is much more of a way to butcher his development.
That’s what they do best! Once a player is miraculously developed he is immediate “trade bait” for aged established stars.
All about the money.. That what it boils down to. Daniels is greedy and covers up the real reason of Why. Fire his butt he ain’t worth the Rangers time
Coming from Astros fan…
You don’t have to be an “Astros fan” to know the true facts of the matter, and I am a Ranger/Senator fan from way back since the late 60’s.
My sentiments exactly! Daniels is probably the biggest “skin flint” since “Uriah Heep” in Charles Dickens “David Copperfield.”