Monday Morning Manager...off and running in the desert

Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes

1.Eric Hurley

2.I have my doubts about Gagne mainly based on the types of injuries from which he’s (hopefully) recovered - and the fact that he simply hasn’t pitched regularly in the past 2 seasons. If I were JD, I’d hang on to Aki - no matter what kind offers he gets for him this spring– at least until mid-season to ensure Gagne can stay healthy and still close games.

3. If Brandon McCarthy and Robinson Tejeda can be consistent and pitch up to their “potential” – yes (otherwise – well, I don’t even want to think about that…)

4. Keeping my fingers crossed while I say yes.

5. I’ve seen Edinson pitch quite a few times in Frisco and OKC. No doubt that he’s very talented - but he throws way, way too many pitches – I don’t know if he doesn’t trust his “stuff” or if he doesn’t know how to make in game adjustments – but it’s really frustrating to watch.

You are undoubtably right Eleanor!!! Salve to TR and Eleanor.

1. No one in the forseeable future...we lack a true 20 gamer and I hate it!!!

2. If Gagne makes it through the spring Aki is gone. JD will not be able to resist the offers. 40 saves from Gagne

3. We'll get our 31-32 from Millwood and Padilla but that's all I'm sure of. We needed a true number one in the off and didn't geterdone...McCarthy is a 4 or 5 and Tejada????

4. Which Tejada is coming back this year...He had 2 different seasons last year?

5. Eleanor called it perectly on EV..."too many pitches" "really frustrating"...He's gone if he doen't really tune it up for Spring.

1) Robinson Tejeda

2) Gagne was a low-risk signing, one I was opposed to because of the damaged goods tag. If healthy, it's terrific. I loved Aki, but if Gagne's healthy, Aki sets up and we look good.

3) Absolutely the Rangers now have the talent for matching the 2004 numbers. Will they? Probably.

4) See my anwer on #1. I've always liked him from the moment I saw him beat us in inter-league play with the Phillies. I'm very high on him.

5) I would be more excited if he could find the plate. Tejeda can. Rupe can. CJ Wilson can. Why can't Volquez? He's terrific. I still beat the drums to hire Fergie Jenkins and tutor our young and veteran pitchers. His experience and track record would be invaluable. Fergie could help Volquez "find himself".

Miguel Tejada?

Maybe you're referring to Robinson Tejeda?

Eccillam loqui primus ob omnis! Gratulari!

We have people talking in Latin, dogs wandering around the Transvaal and people hanging around a bar consuming the most trvial trivia extent.

This place is nuts

1. Thomas Diamond

2. Akinori Otsuka. Trust me, he'll be there in the end

3. Of course, with Ron Washington, how could you expect otherwise.

4. Definitely think he should be in the rotation, but we'll find out soon enough if he's the real deal or that World Baseball Classic was a crutch

5. I bet he thrives under Washington. Seriously. One of many reasons to show Buck Showalter the door

1. No 20 game winner in the Rangers forseeable future.
2. IF healthy, Gagne will be a big help but AO is such a great clubhouse presence and capable pitcher that the Rangers would be wise to hold on to him.

3. The Rangers have such pitching depth, and should have an improved d under Ron Washington, that the pitching staff should finish ranked in the upper half.

4. Tejada finished the year in such strong fashion that he should inspire confidence in himself/teammates/fans.

5. Edinson Volquez still seems a year away.

1. Kevin Millwood. He won 16 last year and got off to a slow start. He's coming in this year more determined based on things I'm reading.

2. I love the twin closers at the end of the game. Aki won't be traded. Love the possibility of shortening the games to 7 innings. With the style of ball I expect Washington to play, we'll manufacture runs as needed and then turn it over to a "lockdown" pen.

3. No question. Best starting rotation, we've had in years. Stronger bullpen then 2004's. There will be strong support in the minors when help is needed because of injury.

I love "Wash's" approach of settling on his pitching staff in spring training and going with them. Only using the OKC/Frisco shuttle in the event of injuries.

4. Tejeda will win 10-15 games this year. He not only got off to slow start because of the WBC last year, I believe he also missed time in spring training with the birth of a child. He put it all together in his final months of last season.

5. Volquez is a lot like Tejeda before he put it together last year. He has the ability, but lacks the confidence and aggressiveness in his approach.

1) Kevin Millwood or Padilla will either this year or next.
2) As a former Giants fan (Due to all the bad reputation it has gotten with Bonds, and others.) I will say I hate Gagne, He is good. So if the keep Aki/ Gagne it will be a good pen.

3) Yes I see it. They really didn’t have many potential pitchers as they do now. More talent. Only if Francisco can get back to throwing well, just imagine. I remember him doing really well in 04.

4) Well have to see. He was good there at the end. Instead of saying he is defiantly pitcher, say he is competing for the 4th spot. If he messes up, don’t stick with him. But I am sure he will do well.

5) A lot of people talk bad about him, but remember the Tigers pitchers where pitiful a couple years back. If I remember right, they was the main reason why they went to the series.

1. Brandon McCarthy

2. I don't think he will be any better than Otsuka was last year. Nevertheless, what will make this team and more specifically the bullpen much better than last year will be the consistency in the pen.

3. Absolutely. If McCarthy and Tejeda pitch as well as they have early in their major league careers, this team can be even better than 5th.

4. His ERA+ was solid but his peripherals like K/BB ratio make me think he might not be a great major league starter quite yet. In any event, this is the year to figure that out. At worst, he should be an adequate number 5 starter. At best, he could easily be a middle of the rotation starter or better. We'll see.

5. He is going to have to have a lot better control or I would imagine he might not have much of a chance to break the rotation in the next few years. I wouldn't be surprised to see him tested as a reliever if his control doesn't improve.

1. Millwood if he can master THE BALLPARK IN ARLINGTON. Taxpayers paid for that ballpark not that company.

2. Eric Gagne and Akinori Otsuka will really solidify the end of games if Gagne can return to form.

3. I just want them to be competitive.

4. Tejeda pitched very good at the end of the year. I'm not so sure he shouldn't be penciled in as the number three starter. But to be honest with you, neither he nor McCarthy have proven themselves as a starter over a full season so the only spots that should be guaranteed should be Millwood and Padilla.

5. Edinson Volquez is just like most of the other Ranger phenoms of the past. They and he can't throw strikes on a consistent basis. You can throw as hard as you want but if you can't get it over the plate, you aren't going to be successful where the hitters are more selective.

1.It's really hard to predict one, unless you have a Brandon Webb or a Johan Santana. Heck! Mike Mussina has never won 20 and he's been on great teams with the Yankees and Orioles. I'm going to guess McCarthy or Hurley.
2.I actually think that the entire season depends on Gagne's health. If I were JD, I wouldn't accept anything less than a top pitching prospect for Aki.

3. The bullpen looks just as good and the rotation is even better. Does anybody even remember who was in the rotation that year? Maybe I have a bad memory but I only remember Kenny Rogers.

4. To be honest, I'm not completely sold on him. Let's just hope for the best.

5. We will know for sure when we stick him in the rotation for good. You don't want to shake his confidence but moving him in and out of the rotation like we did with Benoit. He too was once a very promising prospect. The Tigers and Devil Rays stuck with Bonderman and Kazmir respectively.

1. Chris Young...no wait, it sems that we traded him and our best prospect for 3 players, two of whom are no longer with the team and the third just lost his job to an oft-injured pitcher on a 1 year rehab assignment.

2. See #1

3. Chris Young, Kenny Rogers, Adam Eaton, Kip Wells, Aaron Harang, Fabio Castro...oh wait...

4. He's been around the league once. If the hitters don't adjust to his stuff he will do well. Otherwise, see Koronka and Rheineker.

5. He looks like one of those guys who pitches well in the minors but his control is just not good enough for MLB. I hope I am wrong.

Pitching to contact is a failed bit. They should be pitching to location.

4. I stopped watching the Rangers in August, so I couldn't tell you if Tejeda actually fixed his sweeping front leg issue.

5. Volquez's problems are mechanical. He won't have command until they are fixed.

I apologize to most of the fans here in advance of my comments.

A comment was made erlier today on this board and it offended me..in truth it probably would offend MLB and the Texas Rangers if they were made aware of it. It endangered TR'S job and the privilege to read this board every morning and evening.

For 25 years I taugt my University classes that "Bigotry was just an outward sign of ignorance. I've been reading this person's comments for weeks and I don't tink they're ignorant...just maybe a little unthinking.

Please "person involved" apoligize to all offended and let's wake up tomorrow and talk baseball because it brings all of us together!

1.) A would say Millwood has the best chance but I doubt a 20-game in Arlington at this point.

2-3.) I personally like the signing of Gagne. If he is 90% of what he was, Aki and he will be lights out from the bullpen. I personally think this is the best pitching staff that I can remember in the last five years.

4.) A feel Tejeda is going to produce a 15 win season this year. I don't think it's out of the question, but i'm not betting on it yet.

5.) Volquez seems to have fallen off the radar. Maybe he would be better out of the bullpen.

I feel this year that the Rangers could produce a pennant. Blalock and Wilkerson need to return to their better days.

No big deal. I deleted the post. My policy is not to edit any comments and I don't think that was intentional. But it's gone, let's move on.

Carpe Diem!

1) P A D I L L A, he is a bulldog and pitches inside. A relentless pitcher. Daniels best trade so far!
2) If Gagne is healthy and back to his old self, he is dominating and good for 45 plus saves. He is an exciting closer and when they defined the word closer, it has his name and picture. He is an exciting player. If GAGNE gets hot and proves he is healthy Otsuka will probably be dealt. We have alot of bullpen help and it looks like Bauer isn't going to make the roster.

3)Yes, if everything falls right, no injuries and all of the pitchers improve.

4) Ok Bingo, lets hope that Tejada just becomes more consistent. It he does that he will be ok. He has good stuff, another good Daniels trade, eventhough i liked Delucci.

5) Volquez needs another year in AAA. These young guys need to realize that they have to earn their shot and nothing will be given to them. I would like to see Benoit given another crack at starting, he also has amazing stuff, but may be a headcase. Hey TR, how do you say stick it to the company in Latin? Viva Las Vegas? I stayed at Caesars Hotel a couple of times at the Star-Telegrams expense? Now that is the kind of Latin i like!