Monday Morning Manager...World Series edition

1. The Rockies in 5 games. All they have to do is win one of the first two in Boston, and then they go to Coors Feild, where they have been practically untouchable.

2. Matt Holliday.

3. Yes, because I'm shutting my eyes and concentrating very hard on the pile of money we'll save if he opts out.

4. **** no.

5. **** yes. GO ROX! Here's to the coldest world series in history.

1. Rockies in 5. I picked the Rockies to make the playoffs and i love the make up of this team. The break will cool off the Rockies to where they lose 1 game but this team is hot and on the path to a ring.

2. Good question but I'm going to say that Helton picks it up in the series. How great of a story would it be if Helton brings a championship to colorado and gets the mvp of the series too?

3. Man I hope so but my gut says that the Yankees sign him. At the end of the day I think the Yankees are one of the few teams that will break the bank for him, but thats what we thought before the Rangers came out of no where and swooped him up. Stay tuned...

4. Well yeah they should be interested but there is no way that he or the Rangers agree on a deal. Arod has no interest in returning to the Rangers, but any kind of player of his caliber every team in the Majors should be interested in his services.

5. Heck yeah and if i'm not watching it live then im recording it on DVR and watching it when i get home. I just wish i was going to see the series live.

Gig em rockies

1. My heart says the Rocks, my brain says the Sox. Boston has much better pitching - Red Sox in 6.

2. How about Manny - would be fun - just to drive the Red Sox fans crazy.

3. Yes, it's always about money with Alex - and I bet Angels owner Arte Moreno already has the check written just waiting to fill in the date.

4. Baseball wise - yes, the Rangers need a reliable, power hitting, RBI producing bat in the lineup. Realistically - the only reason Alex would come back here is for more money - and I don't think Mr. Hicks will ever do that again.

5. I'll watch, if the game is interesting - and doesn't run too late into the evening. I understand night games during the week - but why can't they schedule afternoon games on the weekend? For a poor as the ratings have been the past few years - it's not going to be that much competition for college football on Saturday - and Fox could have a football/baseball doubleheader on Sunday.

http://emc.mlblogs.com

1. Rockies in six, and Manny still won't care.

2.Matt Holiday

3. Yes because of the great Satan Scott BorASS

4. HHHHHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL NO

5. YES

1. Red Sox sweep
2. Josh Beckett

3. Methinks he'll stay with an extension.

4. No way

5. My children are going to bed long before last pitch

1. Red Sox in 5 games
2. Beckett

3. A-Rod will opt out. He really always wanted to be a Met. He will then forever be loved by Yankee fans.

4. He would never return.

5. Likely will watch part of the games unless they turn into lopsided blow-outs.

1) Red Sox win in 5 games.

2) David Ortiz--MVP.

3) A-Rod wants out of The Apple.

4) NO!! Been there, done that.

5) I will watch each night, due to college basketball not starting yet. (And because, YET AGAIN, the Rangers are nowhere to be seen in the playoffs-I'm not holding my breath either.)

1. Boston in six games

2. papelbon

3. yes he'll opt out, especially with Torre gone.

4. **** no!

5. every night, no way. The Rockies are a great story, but will watch highlights on ESPN the day after.

1 Sigh, Boston in six, but I'm supporting the Rockies.

2 Beckett

3 Arod will extend with the Yankees, and the Rangers will continue to contribute through 2010. Then later the team can start making deferred payments on the $36 million owed from 2016-2025.

4 Skyranch is dead on.

5 Hope to.

I posted some GM moves on the Oct 12th blog, but to make sure lonestar and eight (and others) have ample opportunity to rag on my GM ideas and offer better ones, I am reposting it below.

Eight(9) is asking some really good questions, especially when it comes to 1B, and to trading low. My short answer on guys like Cruz, Botts, and Loe is that they are not going to make it with the team, and anything you get for them beats DFAing them, which may end up happening, anyway. If they can't make this roster, they likely aren't making another roster.

So here goes:

Start of Season

C Salty

1b Scott Hatteberg

2b Kinsler

ss Young

3b Blalock

rf Byrd

cf Rowand/Fukudome

lf Murphy

dh Botts

sp Millwood

sp McCarthy

sp Padilla

sp Volquez

sp Gabbard

long Rheinecker/Loe

setup Wilson

cl Benoit

util if Julio Franco

After ASB/Trade Deadline

C Salty

1b Scott Hatteberg

2b Kinsler

ss Young

3b Blalock/Chris Davis

rf Byrd

cf Rowand/Fukudome

lf Murphy

dh Gold

sp Millwood

sp McCarthy

sp Eric Hurley

sp Volquez

sp Jennings

long Rheinecker/Loe

setup Littleton

cl Wilson

util if Franco

Trades:

My first move would be to see what the Reds want for Scott Hatteberg(if they don't pick up his option then sign him). Start with Cruz or Diaz but get him. Then extend him for a year so he can fill a veteran position - DH (in 2009). This is a solid guy who produces and is a great clubhouse leader.

Second would be Laird, Frank Francisco and cash to NYMets for AA OF Fernando Martinez. This guy is three times the prospects we have in house, and has LOTS of power.

No Felix Pie, thanks, we have enough of those guys already.

If the Dodgers or Braves are interested, send Cat for a middle inf prospect with power, but I don't see the need to give him away if we have to pay most of his salary.

I'd consider Blalock and Loe/Rheinecker to Toronto for AA SP prospect (maybe AJ Wideman or Brandon Magee?) and a middle inf prospect, but again, no giveaways with Blalock. I actually like him at third this year (Davis needs a little more time) - but if the market is high for him at the ASB, I listen to offers.

Benoit will never be worth more, he goes(before or at the deadline) to the Cubs/Phillies for a top AA SP prospect.

Padilla (at the ASB after a good start) to contender who needs to replace an injured starter for a stud A-level prospect (or more)

OR,

Padilla (at the ASB after a poor start) released, with team eating remainder of contract.

Botts DH for the season, or DFA after poor first half.

FA Signings:

I try to sign Rowand at 4-40 or Fukudome 4-36. Hunter costs too much for too long, but it's not my money so I'm ok with signing him if it doesn't keep us from other signings. I'd take a look at a Japanese FA SP or Kyle Lohse if reasonably priced at 3-18, but would pass if any more than that. (substitute for Volquez 1st half, move Jennings to long relief in 2nd half) I wouldn't sign a Japanese pitcher to anything more than a 3 year deal, and 2 would be better.

I like the idea of signing Jason Jennings 1-$3M+incentives+team option if possible, with a chance to compete for a role as starter, but probably serving in long relief.

Look at Gagne, but it would have to be a 1yr deal, or 1+ an option.

Sign a JC Romero/Chris Reitsma veteran type as bullpen depth 1-1.5M

Sign Jason LaRue/Ramon Castro/Sandy Alomar 1-1.5 as backup catcher.

Give a look to Julio Franco as utility inf because I'm the GM here, and I want to see him make 50, and as a bench player he doesn't block anyone. 1-500k

Other notes:

This roster has the Rangers evaluating/developing C, 3B maybe, 2OF spots, and DH (5/9 everyday spots, which is plenty). It also gives a chance to hit on one or two pitchers with little risk. Jennings joins the rotation once he is healthy and after Gabbard gets hurt, which will likely happen consistent with his history. Yes, I did hurt the bullpen, but I had to give up quality to get some quality, and that's the place we have it.

No Sosa, no Bonds. I like either of them, but I ran out of roster spots, so don't sign either of them.

1. Boston in six.

2. Josh Beckett

3. Yes. Very Few expected JD Drew to opt out and he did and got a better deal. If JD Drew opted out, why not the AL MVP?

4. Interested? Interested in driving his price up for the Angels? Maybe.

5. Every game but the blowouts.

- hey briant77, good roster projections. Although I have a problem with the Laird trade. I can hardly imagine the Mets giving up Fernando Martinez for just Laird and Francisco. I know their bullpen is weak and Paul LoDuca is a free agent but so are Moises Alou, Shawn Green and Jorge Posada. It would be a capital coup for the Mets to sign a popular Yankee like Posada (and with Torre gone, the idea is not that far-fetched). Even if they don't manage to sign the catcher they want, the Mets would be more willing to trade Lastings Milledge than Martinez. You're right. Martinez has lots of power.

1. Red Sox in Six. The fairy tail ends for the Rockies.
2. Josh Beckett

3. A-Rod will opt out and be a free agent. I would be more than surprized if he came back to Yankees. Especially now with out Joe Torre as the Yankee's manager. I think that he might have come back if Torre came back. But that was probably about 75% that he was going leave any way.

4. No I wouldn't want A-Rod back and hicks would be a fool to even think about it. A-Rod got his chance here and he whined about not winning and got his wish to be gone and I am glad that he never got that championship in NY.

5. I will watch this series. I probably won't eatch every pitch and or play but i will watchit because it is the great game of baseball and the World Series.

Red Sox in seven

Mike Lowell or Beckett

I think he'll renegotiate with the yanks, just so he can add more years at huge yearly salaries. I don't see how it's in his interest to leave the yanks because noone can offer him more money and boras will get the yanks to give A-Rod the $21 million Texas is also paying him.

No

No

bryant - Scott Hatteberg? Good name, but I'd have tot think about that. But a very good set of projections, very nicely researched.

Antother thing I'm not so sure about is Jason Jennings. He isn't better than anything we currently have in the roatation, and he'd just wind up in the bullpen - who knows how comfortable he'd be there. If we're going for a guy to just fill out the long releif/spot starter role, why not resign Jamey Wright, who excelled in the 'pen late this year? He'd probably be cheaper anyway. The same thing with Kyle Lohse. If we're gonna go after a FA starter, I'd be more inclined to take a chance on a guy that used to actually be good - like Freddy Garcia, or Bartolo Colon, maybe even Eric Milton.

As for trading Benoit: geez, I hope we can get more than one AA prospect for this guy. I don't think we should trade him at all, and if we do, we have to get our money's worth. Especally if you have him closing for you in the first half.

As for Laird, I like the Fernando Martinez idea, but the Mets would have to be nuts to do that. That'd be as insane as us dealing Travis Hafner for Einar Diaz. And I'm not that impressed with a Lastings Millidge. Laird should be worth something to one of the NY teams - but I'd probably think he'd be worth more to the Yankees, who are losing Jorge Posada.

Hey, Briant,

Here's a re-post, as I just noticed where you had moved this conversation (and TR welcomes "Wanderings from the MMM)

77,

Thanks for the packed post. I've wanted to consider it all, but by the time I'd reply to all, this board would be buried 6 feet under. So here's a reply on your #1 Trade proposal.

Your wish has already been granted.

The Rangers have signed someone who hits just as weakly as Hatteberg vs. lefties, and slightly better vs. righties-- but a nonetheless QUITE respectable projected OPS/Avg of .810/.295 (as opposed to Hatteberg's .780/.285-- but very similar, no?)

Furthermore, this signee-- in albeit only 700 total chances-- has a 1.000 fielding percentage at 1st base in 5 of the 7 seasons he's played there.

Finally, this 1B--who can also play OF or even 2nd or 3rd in a pinch-- has already signed that extension into '09 that you were hoping for.

And he's a great clubhouse guy-- a true veteran.

And we don't have to give up players or picks to get him, because we already did. And after he recovered from that rare injury, he was last year's hottest Ranger.

You guessed it. Frank Catalanotto.

Nor is the grass any greener on the Reds' side of the fence.

The Rangers have already signed the first piece of your thoughtful, intricate puzzle.

All we are sayin' is, "Give this piece a chance. "

Cheers,

Eight(9)

Catalanotto? The guy has no pop in his bat. It is probably because he eats nothing but Turkey Reuben Sandwiches out here at the Snooty Pig in Grapevine, Texas. He is never noticed when he is out in public, why? Because he is so small. No one can believe or would guess that he plays basebal. I like the guy, but, he ain't worth 11 million. Another bad signing and besides he is too injury prone and cannot play everyday, due to the fact he doth not hit lefties very well. If you ain't gonna play Botts at first base, then play Chris Davis, you already have Blalock and Metcalf at third. I personally would like to see Blalock dealt and Metcalf given a chance at third. You can move players to different positions, you know. I think Petey Rose, a.k.a. the gambler was an all-star at 2B, 3B, 1B and the outfield. P. S. what is the plan?????

A-Rod opts out and goes to Boston as the SS for the Red Sox. Lugo disappears, much like he has during the playoffs. Coco Crisp changes his name to Burnt to a Crisp after he leaves Boston for the Rangers, summer heat. Who is running the Boston Red Sox Minor League program? Give that guy some$$$$$$$ to come to Tejas. Now Boston has had some good major league competitive teams, and they usually are drafting at the end of all these rounds. How are they finding players after us??????

1. Boston in 5

2. Beckett or Pedroia

3. I hope so. I think he will because of the disarray in the organization, and the apparent desire to be tied to TV revenue.

4. No.

5. I was waiting to see how bad Colorado got torched in game 1. Now I'll just watch the deciding games.

8gleasons:

About Catalanotto and his feilding % at 1st base, you have the key thing right in your comment: only 700 chances. He could make a good platoon player there, but who are we going to platoon him with? But you do have a good point, Hatteberg is no better vs. lefties. Dwidregod did nail it though, Chris Davis is our future 1st baseman. He is actually a natural 1B, and with Metcalf in line at 3rd, there's absolutely no reason he shouldn't be considered as a 1st baseman. Maybe not next year, but perhaps in '09.

Lonestar,

We've got a few options, but no one seems to like them, despite the fact that the alternatives cited so far are either expensive (in trade material) and no better, or "free," but no more guaranteed than Botts at DH or Cruz in RF.

Briant's point of not trying to develop too many in any one year is a good one.

Anyway, I've already suggested putting Salty (our starting C) at 1st Base vs. lefties to give him predictable rest for 58 games per year without taking his bat out of the line-up -- while playing Laird at C vs. those same lefties.

Until last year Laird crushed lefties (w/ an OPS over 1.000). He was pitiful only vs. righties. Even this one-sided recovery of Laird would help us immensely. And if he made the recovery but we were out by the All-Star break, then he'd reap valuable returns in a trade.

But if Salty's 58 games of rest per year from catching would be too many for his proper development, or if some think Laird would whine and waste away as a 2nd stringer(again), then there's Plan B.

That however requires a quick quiz.

Match the following names with their corresponding OPS of last year:

Michael Young,

Ian Kinsler,

Frank Catalanotto and

Brad Wilkerson

.781 .784 .786 .796

It doesn't really matter that Michael Young was only .003 above Cat, in last place.

The point is,

a) The On-Base % + Slugging % of ALL 4 of them was strikingly similar, no?); and

b) For anyone who does care to pick nits, Wilkerson's was above Michael Young's!

And against lefties Wilkerson's OPS was .859!

In a lower-than-Career-Average year for "Whiffy" as Bingo(?) calls him, Wilkerson was still not as high as Laird in his prior platooning years, but he was certainly one of the highest on the Rangers, and certainly worth considering at 1B vs. lefties... before we put on our rose-colored trading glasses.

... And certainly worthy of our Arbitration offer, so that, if he rejects it, we at least get draft picks for him, instead of nothing in return... (for 7 months of Soriano).

Cheers,

Eight(9)

p.s. In 1822 total chances over 5 seasons, Wilkersons fielding % is .997

At 1st Base, that is.

8gleasons:

Good points all around, especially about Brad Wilkerson. I beleive I have said in the past that if we could resign him to a 1 year deal, he'd be our best option at 1st base until we can get Chris Davis ready. But I'm not sure if Brad would agree to a one year deal. It's certainly an option the Rangers should explore, though.

As for platooning Salty with Cat at 1st base, I'm not so sure that's such a great idea. First of all, Salty made 9 errors in just 24 games there this season. I'm not so sure he wouldn't be as big a liability there as people think he is behind the plate. Second, his numbers against lefties this year are troubling. With Atlanta, he his .290, with 4 HR, and a .324 OBP vs. lefties, actually better than he fared vs. righties. But since joining the Rangers, he's hit an astronomically low .130 vs. lefties, with no homers, and a mere .184 OBP. What could have caused this massive dropoff? I would think it's probably because in most of his AB's vs. lefties, he was playing 1st base so Laird could get his AB's vs. lefties. It's obvious playing the foreign position of 1st hurts Salty's play, so I'm not sure any platoon there is going to be good, even if it is only for 58 games.

But regarding Laird and Salty, I think the organization needs to make a choice. If we keep Laird, we need to make Saltalamcchia a full-time 1st baseman, and play Laird full time at catcher. Wherever he plays, Salty obviously needs defensive development, so we need to pick a postion, 1st base or catcher, and stick with it. Actually, making him a 1st baseman might not be that bad an idea - we still have Taylor Teagarden presumably on his way to Arlington, so making Salty a 1B now will leave the catchers position free for Teagarden when he's ready in a year or two. The downside is, we just have to watch Laird strike out or try and chop bunt his way on for another season or so.

Wow.

That was beautiful.

I knew Salty's average was much lower when he played 1st, but I hadn't made any connection, other than nerves from the new position.

If he was (for now) that bad at fielding 1B, then it well could have gotten to his head while batting.

Great point in the connection between batting vs. lefties for us instead of Atlanta: so that's the trouble w/platooning w/Laird.

I now concede on that point, Lonestar.

If we don't hurry and develop Salt at one position or the other, we'll have another DH on our hands.

We already have 2 halves of a legitimate DH (Cat vs. Righties and Botts vs Lefties).

We don't want to rely on 2 halves of a Catcher!

Is it easier to turn a fielder into a hitter, or a hitter into a fielder?

... or to trade the two for one who can do both?

Decisions, decisions...

I would lean toward making the hitter a fielder, but different guys develop differently. I know I've been adamant in the past that Salty's future is behind the dish, but lately, I'm starting to think moving Salty to 1st base full time may be the best option for this team. Despite his struggles there, I would think that if he played 1st full time, he'd become accustomed to the position - guys like the Indians Ryan Garko have proved that you can successfully transition from catcher to 1st, so while it might be tougher for Salty, I'm sure he could do it and still become successful.

But the main advantage of making Salty the full time 1st baseman would be that it clears the way for Taylor Teagarden, and it free's up our trading chips to go after guys to fill the CF/RF positions. After all, if we make Salty the catcher, in all likelyhood, we're just going to have this catching quandry again in a year or so when Teagarden is ready.

Thoughts?

I'm with you. It's not like he'd be giving up anything he had mastered.

Remember when Teixeira was willing to play wherever it would be most beneficial to the team? Then after a Gold Glove caliber year at first, when we wanted to consider moving him to get-- Delgado was it?-- he publically stated his unwillingness.

If he's playing this winter, that would be the position to develop.

He'd still serve as a 3rd string catcher in case of an injury to the 2nd stringer in an interleague game (i.e. after a substitution).

I'd still offer arbitration to Wilkerson though. He's our OF / 1B safety net, to net us at least draft picks, and also serve as a decent trade chip.