As Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News explores, a rough first half of the season for the Rangers was not without its implications for the future. Unfortunately, for every positive turn (the recent improvements of Rougned Odor, say), there has been a less-encouraging development (Joey Gallo’s fall-off, for instance). Most disappointing of all, perhaps, is the fact that the club likely won’t be able to reap much of a return for its veteran assets at the deadline. As Grant notes, key potential chips like Cole Hamels and Adrian Beltre really aren’t performing as might have been hoped, while many of the team’s pending free agents haven’t really played their way into useful trade assets.
Here’s more out of Arlington …
- MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes that the Texas organization will be doing everything it can to acquire young, upper-level starting pitching at the deadline. Given the less-than-ideal crop of trade pieces, though, that seems like a tall order unless the team is willing to part with controllable talent. Closer Keone Kela is perhaps the team’s best reasonably available trade chip; he’s turning in quality work from the closer’s role and comes with three more seasons of control. Even if he’s made available, though, prying loose top-end young rotation pieces promises to be challenging.
- Meanwhile, GM Jon Daniels discussed his team’s situation heading out of the All-Star break with Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. There aren’t any truly untouchable players, Daniels said, though unsurprisingly he also noted that certain players “are a lot less likely to be talked about than others.” One name that figures to come up, of course, is Beltre. While Daniels indicated that he’s willing to listen to expressions of interest, he said the team will “have to be motivated to even have the conversation” due to the fact that Beltre’s “value to the organization is above how you typically view it.” This special situation — Daniels said the team views Beltre “as separate than most typical trade conversations,” and the vet has no-trade rights — will be interesting to watch. The future Hall-of-Famer certainly hasn’t been at his best in 2018, and isn’t cheap or youthful, but he will likely be in at least some demand given his lengthy track record and impeccable reputation.
- Daniels also addressed a few other matters, though of course you’ll need to read the entire piece to get the full scope. He cited a few younger players that have impressed in certain regards, including center fielder Delino DeShields, utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and first baseman Ronald Guzman. None of those players has really established himself as a future regular, though all seem to have places on the MLB roster moving forward. Daniels also suggested the team will be watching closely in the second half to decide whether to pick up its second-to-last option over southpaw Martin Perez, who’ll either be paid $7.5MM or cut loose with a $1MM parting gift. Perez turned in five middling starts before hitting the DL, but did show much better form in his first outing back just before the All-Star break.
xabial
Adrian Beltre is a 1st ballot HOFer and deserves to win ring as one of the best, if not best, third baseman of all time.
I don’t care if it’s for a PTBNL… Trade Adrian Beltre to any contender that needs third base help. He can retire with the TEX Rangers via one day contract, AND still be enshrined into the HOF representing them. Hope this man retires with ring.
itslonelyatthetrop
He’s not the best third baseman of all time. Not even Top 5. Definitely Top 10.
Travis’ Wood
He’s borderline top 5 but certainly behind Schmidt and Arod
cmtaylor98
Schmidt, Arod, Brooks Robinson, Chipper Jones, Eddie Matthews and George Brett are all better. So at beta he is 7th.
anthonyd4412
And Santo
justin-turner overdrive
Fangraphs has him at 7 all time but he could get to 4th all-time if he has one more big year – only 4.7 behind Boggs.
They also have him as #2 defensively all-time behind Robinson.
fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=3b&stats=bat…
dm038
Brooks Robinson George Brett Chipper Jones Eddie Matthews are way ahead of Beltre. You can make an argument for top 10 but not above these guys.
deweybelongsinthehall
Everyone’s list is different and should be respected. Early in his career his desire was questioned when a contract was at stake. Turns out he was just a thing of beauty to watch. His glove, his home runs falling to his knee, etc. Trade him back to Boston where he can DH and most importantly be a mentor to Devers.
deweybelongsinthehall
Schmidt is ahead of him bigtime due to his consistent power but again an HOFer is an HOFer. It’s not like his plaque will be put up in the Men’s room.
cameron1507
The only reason I would say not arod is the whole ped issue
madmanTX
ARod the Aroider? Lol
murphy
Rangers the roiders?! LOL
xabial
You’re being an Ahole (madmanTX)
Full Disclosure: I’m a Yankees’ fan
leftykoufax
Brooks Robinson you millennial.
David Williams
The whole ped issue??? Are you kidding me??? Clearly no one remembers Beltre suddenly hitting 48 bombs with playing for the Dodgers in a walk year. He barely eclipsed 30 4 more times in his career.
jds01c
Im not seeing it…Schmidt wasnt as good as Beltre. Really the only thing he has had over him is HR, but Beltre could feasably catch him. I doubt he does, but if he didnt, he would still be a better all round hitter. Sell me on how youre comming up with your ranking. Jones is a similar story- less hits, less homers, not nearly as good defensively…
thegreatcerealfamine
Dude what are you talking about? Michael Jack Schmidt and George Brett are leaps and bounds better and there’s no debate.
Daniel Youngblood
Neither of those guys were in Beltre’s league defensively, and Brett wasn’t even in the same universe. Both were better offensively, though Beltre made up some serious ground the final third of his career.
There haven’t been many third baseman in history that have had a better eight-season stretch than Beltre had from 2010-2017.
Flubby
He’s not even the best 3rd baseman to play in the last 10 years never mind all time. See, Chipper Jones.
Daniel Youngblood
Chipper Jones was a DH playing third base for much of his career. He finished his career with negative dWAR. Beltre was one of the greatest defensive third baseman ever to play the game, and — at his best — was an elite offensive player, too.
You can make a case for Chipper based on his offense certainly, but anyone dogging Beltre here has likely never had the pleasure of watching the dude play every day.
ReverieDays
Gallo has awful stats, but they kind of always have been. Is a drop off from bad to terrible that big a deal or surprise?
Travis’ Wood
3.0 fWAR last year is bad?
Tiger_diesel92
Gallo is terrible, who wants a one dimensional player, and he can do is either walk, strike out or hits one out? Chris carter did the same thing two years ago and he couldn’t hit for decent average. Players who looks for the long ball are joke now in baseball. If you can’t hit a decent average like .270 or more, or even .280 , you’re NOT a great hitter.
Bocephus
Exactly, the old three true outcomes that are ruining the sport. The HR derby was the highlight of the break and then it continued into the actual game, boring by the way. When there’s more SO then hits and players could care less that’s a problem.
ESPN has been talking about MLB more then usual today but it was about strikeouts, Hader, and the best player in the sport refusing to market himself. The sport has slipped to number three in popularity and is seen as antiquated by most of the country.
MLB needs to market the players akin to the NBA because in some parts of the country (NW and SW) Soccer is more popular.
justin-turner overdrive
lmao “Chris Carter and Joey Gallo ruined baseball” – worst take of the year contender right there
Bocephus
Where in the hell in my post did I single out those two indiuals or mention them, where? When you put something in quotes make sure it was in the post.
Worst reply ever.
jdgoat
Not true at all. You can have a low average and still be a great hitter. A .235/.400/.520 slash line is great. Batting average doesn’t tell you anything without the numbers behind it.
Groucho
Totally agree. Even Gallo…who is a below Mendoza line hitter but can rip 30-40 HRs and 80+ RBIs. I still think it’s a maturity thing with him. To me, Gallo looks *exactly* the way a certain $100MM+ Baltimore Oriole looked before being traded by Texas. They’ll definitely give him all the time he needs and more, and I’m positive he’s got good years ahead.
Daniel Youngblood
.235 is one thing. .185 is another entirely. And Gallo has never shown an ability or desire to adjust his approach or address his historic contact issues.
MetsYankeesRedSox
I need my Manny rumor fix.
Can I get a fix here?
madmanTX
I heard he’s retiring
cecildawg
Did Ernie Banks ever whine about playing with a losing team. Was he, as an elder statesman, wistful about not being in the WS. Huh?
Sure. And then . . So. Most never get a ring. Not a life crime. Dream land sight seers. And you? How does your ring fit, big guy?
xabial
Beltré isn’t whining? In fact, Beltré LOVES Texas. They have to take the initiative to trade him. It has to be the perfect situation, for him to waive NTC.
As a fan of him, and the game, why is rooting for him to win one, during twilight years of his career a bad thing?
cecildawg
You use the word Bad. Not me. I am in disagreement concerning your comment that Mr. Beltre ,deserves,. Good fan that you are. Seems a bit hysterical.
And that sure was an outlander walk year when with the Dodgers. Juss sayn.
xabial
Lol “deserves” a championship is a word not associated with being hysterical.
It’s an opinion and It’s all relative.
itslonelyatthetrop
Boston could use Hamels and Beltré.
Fire Jon Daniels
What a miserable failure Jon is. Nothing in the minor leagues, no talent to trade away at the deadline. Oh and all he wants in return is the most valuable assets the other teams have. So tired of this guy. FIRE JON DANIELS.
Ramon Flores
I agree , should’ve got rid of Jon. They should’ve moved Nolan into that role . Coincidence that Nolan goes to Houston and they win the pennant a few years later ?? Just saying .
Groucho
Yes, it is a coincidence. This is what gets me about JD haters and Ranger “fans” in general: that the source of all the Rangers’ success is due to Nolan Ryan, and the source of all their failures is due to Jon Daniels. To what may we really attribute the Astros Miracle? Would it be Nolan Ryan joining as an advisor to his son in like 2014-15, or would it be maybe because the Astros were the worst team in baseball for the better part of a decade, and as a result they drafted in the top five of every round. Houston was and still is a fountain of baseball prospects. Forrest Gump could manage the Astros to a WS. JD? Who knew Prince Fielder – who missed like two games ever – would have a career *ending* injury? Who knew Yu Darvish would suck in the playoffs? Who knew Cole Hamels would peter out? I would add that whatever JD’s signings and trades, there’s only one golden loss so far and that’s Kyle Hendricks, but even still I don’t look at all the years the Cubs sucked and say, “If we still had Hendricks instead of getting Matt Garza to try and ramp up out playoff run that year, then that’d be us in the WS.” Players still have to win games, and the Rangers straight up choked in the Wild Card games and twice against the Jays. Baseball is a business. You take risks, you sometimes reap rewards, but I don’t know of a team around that wants to do what the Astros did, which is to tank forever, draft high, sell the team, and be born again hard. Not a good business model for most markets.
Robert Alva
Well said my friend, couldn’t have put it better! JD has done all he can to put a winning team on the field, in the end the players have to produce. Ryan didn’t make the Astros better, years of tanking and high draft picks did. I believe in JD and our Rangers, we should again be competitive with this young core of good players in 2020. I get so tired of all the complaining about JD, our team was in the playoffs six times since 2010. Again, the players on the field have to get it done!
Okie_baseball
Gotta love the “fire Jon Daniels” crowd. What exactly drives you guys? I think he’s been pretty good, not great, but certainly in the top half of GM’s in baseball. if you look at him against the backdrop of our past GM’s he looks like a friggin genius! I honestly can’t think of a Dave Stewart moment (referencing the Shelby Miller debacle) during Daniel’s time in Texas. On top of that the Rangers have been really competitive over his tenure. Is it really the Lucroy thing that has makes you guys scream “bloody murder” every time he does something?
I’m not trying to be disrespectful, if I thought his performance was particularly bad I would be right there with you. I just don’t see any obvious mishandlings of the organization from JD, prove me wrong but he’s been pretty good.
RockHard
The fire JD crowd is filled with what have you done for me in the last 2 weeks kind of idiots.. also Nolan Ryan is a figure head.. he was in Texas and he is in Houston.. He is a marketing man.. Nolan’s brilliant idea was to have the pitchers play long toss more.. what a legendary mind..
Okie_baseball
Those arguments are all I see from that crowd. Nolan has always had the reputation of a bulldog and I am fine with him moving on to Houston. He is not the reason that the Astros won a series, that team is stacked. Honestly I could make that lineup card everyday.
JD really has a pretty good track record I think. I mean he gets some credit for the Texiera deal, finding Hamilton in the gutter of whatever strip joint he was at that day, and I think the Cliff Lee/Hamels deals have been great. Lucroy is the only “yeah we missed that one” deal, if that really is what drives these folks then it’s a pretty light argument.
jb19
Texas is terrible and has a bottom third farm. Have 2 playoff wins since 2012. No starting rotation now, next year or the year after (unless a lot of $$ is spent). Won’t be competitive within the division with the Astros, As and Mariners for the foreseeable future… Daniels or no Daniels, rangers aren’t going anywhere or doing anything for a while… Fielder wasn’t a good trade either.
kencaminiti
Look at what you’re saying gives him a “pretty good track record”… Lee is the most recent, happened in 2010. Since then he’s had some pretty bad deals: Dempster, Garza, Lucroy, Beltran. Not to mention some horrible pitching extensions: Holland, Harrison Perez
User 1104686089
I’ll give you Lucroy, and Dempster even. I think Garza was the right move at the time and I was comfortable with Beltran, even if Tate turns out to be a good bullpen piece. The real point you lost me was the Fielder reference, what on earth could cause you to label that trade a bad move? Daniels had no idea that he would get hurt. I always lose respect for the anti-JD folks when they make that argument, it’s just ridiculous.
User 1104686089
Dude the Texiera deal setup the franchise for years to come, the definition of a great move. Extending his young pitching is fine too, who in their right mind thinks that Derek Holland is going to fall off of his front porch and hurt himself? Plus it’s not like any of those contracts hampered the payroll. More recently the Darvish, Hamels moves have been nice plays too. I honestly don’t understand where the hate for JD comes from. Who is this miracle GM you’re going to bring in to be better?
kencaminiti
I’m not anti JD just pointing out some questionable moves. I agree the Fiedler was just tough luck. When it comes down to it the last several years the bad has out weighed the good
User 1104686089
Oh I can’t defend him as the best GM in baseball but man we were bad before Jon Daniels. I mean we were really bad before Jon. let’s have some patience and see how he does with this retooling phase, he built a good franchise once already.
jb19
I thought the Fielder deal was bad at the time. Detroit paid you money to take that huge contract off their books. For a very useful player in Ian Kinsler. We haven’t mentioned the first 4 years of the Elvis extension, the Odor extension, trade for Matt Moore or the mishandling of Profar. I wouldn’t call it “hate”, I think Daniels hasn’t been effective for many years and was credited for some great early trades nearly a decade ago. Now, prepare to be non competitive for 3-5 years.
madmanTX
It wasn’t always that way. If they sign on the Astros and Cubs method of tanking for a few to five years and getting the top players in the draft, they will comeback that quickly and have a great farm system.
Daniel Youngblood
I agree with a lot of what you say, jb19. The only point I’d take exception with is the one about Elvis, whose extension didn’t kick in until 2015. He struggled in 2013 and 2014, but he only made $11.2 million combined over those two years, and he’s more than earned his money since.
But as to your overall point on JD, I think you’re spot on. It’s possible to say that JD deserves all the credit in the world for building the Rangers into a World Series contender while also acknowledging that he deserves most of the blame for what’s happened since.
He dismantled this franchise as fast as he built it, and this organization is every bit the mess currently that it was when he took over.
jb19
JD should ask Beltre where he wants to go and make it happen. Also, JD shouldn’t entertain resigning beltre. He’s great. He’s still effective when healthy. And he’s a great clubhouse presence, but he’s a complete waste of team resources.
Daniel Youngblood
As many young players as the Rangers will be relying on the next four or five years, resources shouldn’t be an issue. Once Hamels is off the books, they’ll have two players making more than $10 million — Elvis and Choo. And Elvis could opt out after this season or next. If Beltre wants to be a Ranger, I see no reason not to bring him back. He’s exactly the type of guy I want the Rangers’ young players learning from.
jb19
I had to look up Elvis’ contract, I would concede that point Daniel Y. Elvis has been around a long time.
jb19
Do you think Beltre is interested in playing with a non playoff contender or playing for a contender for a couple more years? I know Beltre publicly says he wants to be a ranger. But it’s best if both sides move on. Rangers could give him $10MM+ for the next couple years. Doesn’t mean they should.
cxcx
You can’t just say “we won’t be competitive with ‘x’ teams for the foreseeable future”… Wasn’t everyone saying or assuming that about the A’s a few months ago…and now all of a sudden they are a winning team. It’s baseball, the team just has to play well, things need to break right and they need to make some decent moves with what assets they have even if limited.
Daniel Youngblood
I could see Beltre wanting to end his career with a contending team, but I don’t think it would hurt the Rangers at all to bring him back, if he was amenable to the idea. A) He’s a great veteran presence for the young guys to learn from, and B) it’s not like he’s blocking the organization’s future third baseman by being there. Gallo is better suited for first or left field, and Profar’s a butcher at third. Kiner-Falefa’s the only one in the organization ready to handle the position defensively, and I don’t think he’ll ever hit enough to be more than a utility guy.
I wouldn’t let money be a reason not to bring Beltre back, if he wants to retire a Ranger.
aTexhoss
the problem with JD is simple. when he trades for a player, he always buys high, but when he trades a player away, he gets little in return. JD is always punked by other GM’s. It is maddening to pay retail but sell at whole sell.
padnastikador
All the other MLB GM’s know how to take advantage of JD now. It’s only going to get worse. JD used to have some great people in the Rangers organization who helped him build some championship caliber teams. I’m not talking about Nolan Ryan. I’m talking about AJ Preller, Thad Levine, Don Welke, and so on. Without them he’s lost. Lots of bad trades. Bad scouting. Bad development. The Rangers are gonna be bad for a while.
Bubba 5
How does JD still have a JOB?
tsc32
Rangers should combine assets to reel in solid prospects. Similar to what San Diego just did for Mejia. We don’t have the pieces to get Mejia level guys but we might be able to pick up 1-2 borderline Top 100 guys in separate deals. As well as a handful of promising guys who could slot into Texas’ Top 15 guys with potential to turn into Top 100 overall guys. We aren’t going to get sexy names but if JD does things right, we can land good prospects.