Monday Morning Manager...Farewell 2007

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne?” – loosely translated goodbye and good riddance to 2007.

1.Robinson Tejeda ought to get one more chance, if (or when) he can’t hold onto the job – then try A.J. Murray, Luis Mendoza or Andres Galarraga. I hope we don’t see Eric Hurley on the mound in Arlington before August.

2.Jason Jennings or Livan Hernandez – but on “make good” contracts only.

3.I think both Nelson and Jason will be wearing different uniforms by the time Spring Training starts. And when Bradley and Hamliton are on the bench with injuries and they have no DH (while Murphy and Byrd are hitting in the .240’s) the Rangers will regret giving up on Botts.

4.C.J. needs to be the closer. Have to wait and see how the rest of the bullpen shakes out - they are always a year to year proposition - although I'm onboard with moving Kameron Loe to the 'pen.

5. No. I’m not against trading Hank, but right now it would be selling “low” on Hank after his injuries (and performance) the past couple of seasons. Would be a better idea to wait and see how he performs this season – if he’s healthy and puts up good numbers he has a contract that many teams would like and could fetch a lot more in a trade.

Have peaceful and prosperous New Year T.R.

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1. Luis Mendoza would be my selection today, but realistically, performance in ST will determine who fills the slot.

2. I still like JJ on a one year + team option. He's a Texas guy who pitched at Baylor, and likely would want to be in Texas.

3. I don't look for either of them to make the opening day roster.

If I had to pick one to keep, I'd keep Cruz and try to deal Botts if there were any takers. Ideally we'd have room for both. But there's just not going to be room. Unfortunate, but part of the business, I guess...

4. Benoit should close. Sure CJ has done some work there, but we just signed Benoit to be the experienced closer of the team. Let him close until the ASB, then see what his value is on the trade market. Surely some team will think they are just a proven closer away from the playoffs, and offer us a package better than what we received for Gagne. CJ can step in after that, having been the set-up man to this point. If the offers don't knock our socks off, we keep him.

5. Not a chance. His ERA will jump in the move to the AL, and it is not very impressive as it stands today. He also seems to be a pitcher who finds ways to lose, so I couldn't support acquiring him even for a lesser offer. I can only support trading Hank if we get full value in (near) ML-ready players. This trade would not represent that, IMO.

Best wishes for a blessed new year to each of you.

1. One of our own for the rotation? Don't be ridiculous. Such radical thinking...

2. Jason Jennings seems to be worthwhile

3. Can't have Botts since we remain reluctant to trust our own players. This is a franchise that always deems the neighbor's lawn far more plush.

4. Same story. Guardado isn't here to mop up

5. Sure. Why not

1. Mendoza unless someone really seperates themselves from the pack this spring. I'd like to see Eric Hurley geat another 12+ starts at AAA.

2. Zero interest in Lohse or Hernandez who are likely to be overpaid. Wouldn't mind Colon or Jenkins on a low risk contract, but the 40 man roster is crowded enough as.

3. I wouldn't be surprised if one of them were in spring traning with another club. Even if that's not the case I don't see how they both make the 25 man roster at the end of the spring if Bradley is ready to go. I'd give Cruz the edge because of his superior defense, but I'd love to see Botts have another spring like last year and actually make the club this time.

4. I like C.J. to close. My bullpen would be Wilson, Benoit, Fukimori, Guardado, Francisco, and whoever has the 2 best springs among Littleton, Feldman, Rheinecker, Rupe, Loe and Tejeda.

5. If we were to deal Hank for pitching I'd rather see someone who'd be here longer than 2 seasons. Capuano is a nice middle of the rotation guy, but he's bad against right handed hitters. I think that's a pretty fair trade scenario though.

1) CJ Wilson has the best stuff on the staff, and I think Benoit is more suited as the closer.

2) I would look closley at Colon simply because it takes longer than one season to fully recover from shoulder surgery.

3) The Rangers should find a way to hang on to Cruz because he is potentially a superior defensive outfielder with a great arm.

5) Capuano was 5-12 last season with an ERA over 5 on a pretty good team. Enough said.

1) I think Luis Mendoza should be the fifth starter. Hurley's numbers were not great in AAA and he could use a little seasoning. But I think you have to let him have a shot to win it. But if I'm Ron Washington, I say right now, the fifth starter will be Luis Mendoza.
2) Bartolo Colon is the only name that intrests me. If we can get him for a year and an option with a bunch of incintives, I'm game.

3) I never thought Jason Botts would be anything. It remains that way. NOw Nelson Cruz is a 4-tool player. Power, speed, glove, and a hughe arm. But e misses the most important one: average. He should be able to compeate for the right field or 44th outfielder spot. Time's running out on him. Insn't he 28?

4)C.J. Wilson as closer, Joaquin Beniot as set-up. A really nice one-two punch like for the Angles. If we can give the other team only 7 innings, we will win more games.

5)He was an All-Star a few years ago, right? I might take a chance. But only if I know that he's healthy. Because he had a terrible year last year. I would like to see what Hank is doing before I pull the trigger. I still think Hank can return to his 2004 form.

1. That's what ST if for, but for now the leading candidate seems to be Luis Mendoza.
2. Jason Jennings. Young, battle-tested at Coors Field and still some upside.

3. Cruz has interested so many clubs over the years. Someone else will take another chance on him. Botts looks like the 4-A prototype.

4. C.J. as closer with Benoit as set-up. Fukumori for the 7th and Loe for long relief.

5. I'm not that sold on Blalock, but this seems a low bid dump-off.

6. 6 weeks! We have to wait 6 more weeks. Thankfully, you're here during that time.

Thanks TR!!!

1. Any chance we give CJ another shot at a starting spot. Worked out pretty well for some guy named Kenny Rogers.
2. Bartolo has killed us over the years. I would hate to see another team pick him up.

3. Cruz has had his chances. Don't think he's as great defensively as many seem to think, though better than Botts. Give Botts the DH job and put Cat in left.

4. If we can't get CJ into the starting rotation, then he is the closer. Benoit is a close second.

5. We have an entire organization of middle to late end of rotation guys. Would only trade Hank in a package that would give us a potential 1 or 2.

1. I think that regardless of how Eric Hurley performs in ST, he should not be on the big league club until September. I'd rather have Galarraga or Mendoza in the rotation with Kam Loe pitching in relief.

2. Is Freddy Garcia really that hurt? He must be because he wasn't even mentioned. I like Josh Towers. I think he could be the another version of John Thomson for us.

3. Nelson Cruz and Robinson Tejeda have wasted more opportunities than Botts yet both have a better chance of staying. Stinks.

4. I'd like to see what Benoit can do as closer. He's got great stuff and he's regained a lot of confidence ever since Ron Washington arrived.

5. This has got to be my favorite question of the year. Why? Because I suggested this trade during spring training earlier this year. A lot of people said they would do it (even though he gave up 29 HRs in 2006) but after watching Capuano's 2007 season, there aren't many believers today.

How bad was Capuano's 2007? The guy hasn't won a game since May 7th. He's a strikeout pitcher (132 Ks in 150 IP in 2007) and he doesn't walk too many batters (54 BB in 07 and 47 in 06) but his flyball tendencies finally caught up to him this year. And it doesn't help your cause when you have Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder fielding behind you.

1. I agree with most of the sentiment of everyone else, Tejada should get one last shot and leave the other guys at AAA for just a little more seasoning.

2. I would take a chance on Jennings or Colon but only on a minor league deal....a definite no on those other guys

3. I would much rather see Jason Botts over Ben Brussard. Being a switch hitter eliminates the need for a platoon partner which Brussard needs, I hate tying up a roster spot just for a right handed 1st basemen. Botts has shown prodigious power, on base skills, and run producing ability. He has been give the Adrian Gonzalez treatment and only given brief opportunities at the major league level. I think if we let Botts go he will perform much to the level of Adrian Gonzalez, high average, 25 HR power, and 100 RBI's. We will regret it if Botts is moved. Botts has never been given more than 150 bats in one major league season. He has proven that given a little time to settle in he will produce. He has done so at every minor league level and is currently killing it in the Mexican league. Have I said enough?

4. Wilson should close. Jack in the 8th. Then for sure Fukumori, Littleton, Francisco, Rhienicker, and Loe.

5. Yes! Do this trade in a heartbeat. Capuano is a former 18 game winner. Blalock has done nothing in years. Yes he had a 5.00 ERA last year but the skills are there and he is a lefty, something we sorely need in our rotation. Maybe we could give up a bullpen arm like A.J. Murray and also get back Bill Hall who we could then plug in at 3rd. We can find a third basemen, a good lefty young pitcher is what we need.

1. Of the internal candidates, I guess I'd give Tejeda the first shot. He doesn't have options so that factors into the equation and I think Gallaraga is better suited as a big league reliever, and Mendoza doesn't have much of a track record.

2. Jennings is the only one out of that group that I would gamble on. Hendrickson would be the second choice I guess.

3. I think Botts is good as gone, it is just too difficult to carry a guy that can't play defense and hasn't looked that great with the bat in the big leagues. I think Cruz will get another shot at the beginning of the year because I think Bradley will probably open the year on the DL.

4. Benoit or Wilson could close. The rest of the pen will probably be Francisco, Loe, Fukumori, Guardado, and Littleton. Rheinecker would be a good LOOGY option if Guardado doesn't have anything in ST.

Oh and #5:

Absolutely, positively not. First Blalock will be a lot more valuable to this team than a guy like Capuano. Next, there isn't a replacement for Blalock. Mendoza as 5th starter plus Blalock is MUCH preferable to Capuano plus Metcalf.

Sure is a lot of bellyaching about Jason Botts. What separates this guy from Jason Hart, Adam Piatt (much better minor lg #s than Botts at a younger age), Phil Hiatt, etc etc etc?? Big guys with power but big holes. I realize Botts has more patience than Hart or Hiatt, but not more than Piatt... Lots of guys with his profile never amount to anything.

Agree with giving the kids a chance but a) Botts isn't a kid, and b) they can't give the same shot to everyone - have to make some scouting evaluations.

Why isn't everyone moaning about Nate Gold?

Happy New Year. Good luck in Nashville, Indianapolis, OKC, or Vegas, Mr. Botts. Nothing personal, just don't think he'll hit.

1. In ST, I'd look real hard at Tejada, Loe, and Mendoza. Whoever wins, give them 5th spot.
2. Jennings, Hendrickson, and Towers b/c they could all move to the pen, but Colon could be a steal if he is healthy and has anything left.

3. I think if Botts has a good ST, he'll be here, but Cruz is gone unless Bradley or another OF candidate gets hurt.

4. Wilson closes. Benoit set up. Loe and Rhineker. Littleton though if he can out perform any of those two.

5. No. If you're going to trade Hank, see if his value will rise anymore first and make sure you're comfortable with who would replace his spot on the field and in the lineup. A top tier starter or else it's not worth it.

1. Let Tejada or Loe have another shot, then fall back to plan B.. Mendoza or another kid
2. Make good contract for Colon would be good.

3. I would love to see Botts have a monster spring, win a job and become the next Ortiz, but I just don't see it happening once the season starts. Cruz must still have some trade value, cause he won't play here.

4. CJ

5.I would be open to trading Hank, but I would want a better pitcher than Capuano

1. Kameron Loe will be the guy again if we stick with our current options. Speaking of options, Robinson Tejeda is out of those, so if the Rangers want to keep him, he's gonna have to either be converted to the bullpen, or win the 5th starter spot. None of our other young arms (Hurley, Mendoza, ext.) are ready yet, so I think it will be one of those two. And of those two, I think it'll be Loe, simply because of his experience, and how bad Tejeda melted down last year.

2. Jennings and Towers are worth a look, but Hendrickson just stinks, and the rest of the field (Bartolo Colon, Livan Hernandez) are too old. Kyle Lohse would be nice, but he'd want a multi-year deal, and he can't be moved to the bullpen if needed.

3. Now that we have Josh Hamilton, you can say goodbye to Nelson Cruz. And good riddance - I'll bet a years salary he never wins a full-time starting job in the majors. Botts... eh, only time will tell. And I guess we've got to give him that time, don't we?

4. C.J. is the closer, Benoit is the setup man. Fukumori and Guardado suplemment those two in the 7th/8th innings when needed. In turn, Fransisco can supplement Fuku and Guardado. Wes Littleton should also be in there, and if he's not the 5th starter, Kameron Loe. Depending upon how many releivers we go with, so should John Rheinecker.

5. That would be an interesting deal. As courtney pointed out, Capuano is a former 18 game winner (in 2005) and his career ERA, despite his disasterous 2007, is still a 4.39. While he might not be a top-tier sarter (like Ben Sheets) he'd make a good #2 for us if he returns to his 2005-6 form. Lets face it, even though he had a bad year (albeit a really bad one) this guy might be the highest caliber pitcher we can get our hands on this offseason. For that reason, I might be inclined to pull the trigger on that deal, and see if he can rebound. Heck, because of how low his stock is right now, we might even have a shot at re-signing him if we wanted to.

T.R.-
Happy New Year from San Antonio! You pose some very good and tough questions this week.

1. Leave Hurley, Mendoza and Galarraga at AAA for final seasoning. Let Loe and Tejeda battle it out. My preference would be Loe, since he can double early in the season in long relief.

2. There is a reason Colon is still on the market. A rotator cuff is NOT GOOD. Stay away! Towers, Maroth and Hendrickson are no better than Loe or Tejeda. If healthy, go with the local kid Jennings. At least he's had some success in the ML.

3. Both are out of options. It would be difficult to let both get away without getting something in return, even a Grade B prospect. I don't feel the Rangers can afford a platoon at 1B. Shelton is AAA insurance. If Cruz and Bottsy can't win a job in ST, then protect one and deal the other. Sounds like a ST trade coming?

4. C.J. appears to be "seeded" #1. However, a little competition is good for a young closer. I see Everyday Eddie as insurance and as a situational lefty, competing with Rhino. Kaz gives us a another veteran to push Frankie. Benoit is a stud set-up man. Let him push C.J. Add Loe and Littleton and we can break camp today.

5. Hypothetical Trade: Chris Capuano is a back of rotation starter, a #3 at best. I would never trade a core member of the team unless you get a #1-2 back. Hank's been down the last two years so we would be selling low. Not a good idea. And then who do we replace Hank with? Metcalf is a nice player but not a middle of the order bat. Davis is at least a year away. Do not do that trade THIS year.

1. I think given his success in the pen that Loe should be ear marked for the pen. If the reports about Mendoza adding a new pitch in Frisco were true then it should be Mendoza. There is no reason to rush Hurley. Just let him stay. If Mendoza or Gabbard **** then Hurley can come up in June.
2. I think this all depends on the cost. Bartolo Colon has by far the most skins on the wall. Ideally he would be the guy. If he isn't a fit then I'd take a flier on Towers or Jennings, but I think Id go with Mendoza before either Towers or Jennings.

3. I think Botts will be around. Nelson Cruz is as good as gone though unless Bradley isnt ready to begin the year.

4. With 3 lefties its set up for CJ Wilson to close. I'd add Rheinecker and Loe to round out the pen.

5. I don't think thats enough of a return for Blalock based on how poor Capuano's season was. Blalock was injured, Capuano ******. Id hold off on that.

1) Mendoza and Murray
2) No, None, forget them

3) Cruz and Botts are done here. What a chance they got here. Goodbye. Just 18 months ago Cruz was highly touted now he is done. Way to devalue a guy. What happens if the guy can play? Looks like it will be somewhere else. I can't wait til he goes somewhere else, plays every freaking day and then becomes a 25/80 to 90 guy. Wait and see. Sorry Bingo, i don't think Botts has a spot here unless Cat is dealt.

5) Let Blalock rebound and then deal him at All-Star break if you wish, his trade value will be higher if he gets off to a fast start and shows he is healthy.

oops # 4 Wilson as closer and Littleton and White or Murray. I want to see Teagarden and Duran next year.

Is it possible that Roger Clemens with his hurt ego and allegations is headed to Arlington to finally fullfill, Hicks dream of seeing Roger in Ranger blue? Could it be true, if he wants to play, his opportunities will be limited, so look out. It could happen. Roger Clemens is coming to town.

1. Kameron Loe, Mendoza and Murray backup plans. Hurley at mid-season. I'd ultimately prefer to pick up a FA(JJ).

2. Jason Jennings

3. Cruz will be a platoon DH with Cat. Murphy will be in AAA since he has options left. Botts is gone.

4. CJ Wilson

5. No. I'd do Cat and Laird for Capuano.

eightgleasons,

If you want to belittle me for what I said at least don't misquote me. I stated that for the 2001-2007 seasons (when Young played in the ML) that there was no significant statistical difference in their slugging pct and that the difference in OPS (and On Base Pct) was do to Jeter being walked and HBP significantly more times than Young. BB and HBP are the equivalent of singles not extra bases. Your rap on Young was that too many of his hits were singles. The difference between Jeter and Young over the 2001-2007 time frame for OPS, OBP and slugging pct are Jeter gets more "singles".

It is true Young has went down in slugging pct for three consecutive years. It is also true as I stated and you ignored that after his peak year in 1999 that Jeter went down in slugging pct and has never achieved that level again. However he has been very effective for the Yankees for the eight years since 1999. Playing all rookies in hopes of rebounding is dumb. the Rangers need Young at SS.

One other point about how modern shortstops are suppose to have high slugging pct. I agree the HR numbers I quoted by position did not prove modern SS are NOT super sluggers. However the statistics were for 1876-2007, they didn't end with 1976.

More on the modern SS "sluggers" later.

1) Kameron Loe---NO WAY!!! He is too valuable as a long man/middle man or emergency spot starter. After once or maybe twice tops through the lineup, he isn't effective. Please let's keep him as long man in the pen. My vote is for Robinson Tejeda. I believe in this guy, the same one who 2-hit Boston, the World Champs in 30+ degree weather here last year. Even though he floundered midway, it seems with his head--his stuff is too valuable not to include him in the rotation. I think it would be a grave mistake to let this guy be exposed to waivers or whatnot--he needs to be given a chance. He DID prove himself early on, why not give him a chance to figure it out. We'll have 12-15 guys seeing if they can figure it out too.

2) NONE of those guys I'd waste money on. Start talking trades with some larger names, then I'd be interested. Go with youth--see what they can do.

3) I'd like to see Cruz, sink or swim this year in rightfield every day. If he can't cut it, bye-bye. Botts to me, is a physical specimen, looks the part of a Big League ballplayer, but overswings like Wilkerson, Blalock, etc...and we don't need anymore holes that big in our lineup. So, I'd play Cruz everyday in rightfield, and bid Botts a fair adieu.

4) Francisco--7th, Benoit--8th, and CJ closing. Loe SHOULD be a lock in the bullpen--not a starter. He's much too valuable and proven there. We have enough guys as starters. I liked Jamey Wright and Mike Wood also. Haven't heard a hoot about either. Wright was serviceable as a long man. And I haven't heard anything about Guardado officially as being a Ranger, so I'm not counting on him until I hear the trumpets sound.

5) I'm going to plead ignorance--I don't follow the Brewers so am not familiar with Capuano. Therefore, let's hold onto Hank until he can be part of a larger, better deal for a top pitcher.

1. Mendoza, but Tejeda if he has an exceptional spring. Loe must be in the bullpen. He is good for one time through a line up, maybe a little more.

2. None. Work with what we have. It is time for our pitchers to carry us, not someone else's throwaways.

3. I personally like Cruz and Botts, but there is no room on the roster for either one. One of them might make the roster if Bradley is not ready on Opening Day. And I do not want Bradley on the Opening Day roster unless he is ready to play the outfield.

4. CJ Closer. Fukumori as the 8th inning guy, and he may win the closer job in the spring. Benoit and Francisco. Loe will be there too. That is 5 in the pen. Tejeda may be the extra.

5. Any deal for Blalock has to be legit. If you are even thinking of trading him, let him show out in Spring Training first.

More I think about it, the more I am convinced that Tejada should get first crack at the 5th spot. When I was a kid the Dodgers had this kid with great stuff. It took him a few trys before he cracked the lineup, but he figured it out and had a few good years. Now, I am not saying Tejada is Sandy Koufax, but he desreves a chance to try. Last year all we heard wad Tejada this, Tejada that and he flopped. He still has the same stuff, maybe he learned a bit from the experience.

Ha Ha, mentioning any Rangers pitcher in the same breath with Sandy Koufax, ridiculous. Give Mendoza a chance, there is a reason the Red Sox wanted him back. Tejada can pitch too. Give him a chance. Just for the heck of it: Jim Leyritz. What do you think about that courtney? Give him a second chance? Hardly. He is looking at 15 year minimum sentence. Too bad he still isn't playing he probably would get what Leonard Little got for killing that lady in Missouri. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

A DUI manslaughter conviction in Florida carries a 10 year minimum and a 15 year maximum sentence. I hope the police work you get paid to do is more thorough than the vitriol you spew here.

well stated hefe...and the Leonard Little situation is terrible...but with Budweiser headquarted in St. Louis Missouri's drinking laws aren't as strict as other states....

The Leyritz situation like any other DUI is a tragedy. I hate that people make such poor dangerous choices. I think Leyritz should receive whatever punishment is his crime warrants. Once he serves his time he would definintely get a second chance. I guess you think everyone with a DUI should permenantly stay in jail. Tony LaRussa, Ty Pennington (Extreme Home Makeover guy), any of the mid 90's Dallas Cowboys. Lock them all up no second chances ever.

I believe that our thinking may be wrong when we talk about Kam Loe being a valuable part of the bullpen as a long reliever.

Not that I have any problem with K Loe (other than he works waaaay too slow). It's just that if he's our long reliever, have we put him there because we decided that he isn't going to make it as a starter, and a long reliever is all he's going to be?

The 'long reliever' position (and in our age of specialization, it is a position) should be used as a developmental position on a team that is rebuilding. The long reliever is in fewer pressure situations, because the team is usually behind. This position on the Rangers should be used to groom someone for moving into the rotation, similar to what the White Sox were doing with McCarthy before we got him. It is the perfect place for a guy like Tejada, who needs to be given a chance to earn a spot on the roster. Gaining confidence and learning the ropes at the big league level can give him a much greater chance of success to move into the rotation fulltime.

Let's start grooming guys to take their place in the rotation long term. We need to STOP calling them up for emergency starts when they haven't been properly prepared for big games, and they have all the jitters. Some will say that they should be ready at any time, but I would contend that this is not necessarily true. How many of us would be successful in our jobs if we are promoted two levels in the organization without being prepared for it? I know I wouldn't be. The team has a legendary history (not the good kind, either) of developing its own starting pitchers - I say let's try what some other teams are doing - some of them successfully, too.

If these guys are not going to be starters (I still would not oppose KLoe starting - he gave us the second-most innings on the staff last year), they should be cleared out for guys who do have the potential to start. I don't see where keeping a topped-out long relief man really helps us for the long term. It's a short-term compete-now approach that keeps another prospect from getting a chance.

If they are starters, groom them to start (including Loe), if they aren't, let's make room for guys who can be. Roster spots are too valuable to use on a guy that is only capable of being a 'long man'.

A strong 'long man' on a contender makes sense. Does it on a team which won't?

Any thoughts?

Excellent point about the long releiver role and developemental uses, Briant. But I'm not sure the Rangers aren't already doing what you're saying. Kameron Loe is a guy the Rangers would still like to groom as a starter if possible - the only reason he was considered locked into the bullpen was Edinson Volquez was going to get a shot as the 5th starter until he was traded for Josh Hamilton. Loe was going to be kept on as the long releiver to get innings, and continue being groomed for a starters slot if one came open. Kam isn't done developing (at least from the Rangers veiw), and while his stock as a starter may not be as high as it was this time last year, I don't think it's so low that we can just "clear him out" if he doesn't make the rotation this spring. The same goes for Robinson Tejeda.

I do agree, we shouldn't go signing any more Jamey Wrights to clog up the roster, but I don't see any reason to "clean out" guys like Loe and Tejeda just yet. All that will accomplish is putting even younger guys, who still need regular starts at the AAA level, in the bullpen.

briant, when I suggested Kameron Loe as a "long/middle-man", I didn't mean to "mop up" in games which we were losing 10-2! I mean for a long/middle-man to come in to give us a good 3 innings (like Jamey Wright did admirably last year most times), or like Kameron Loe began doing with the Rangers, and Loe performed exceedingly well at that role. Exposing him to starting, and going through the lineup more than about twice, is all his sinker is good for, and that has been borne out in the results. His starting has not been nearly the same effective-wise, as his "long/middle-man" relief, and he is MUCH, MUCH more valuable to the Texas Rangers, our heroes, in the pen. Let's let guys who can go through the lineups more than twice to start games.

I like Kameron Loe's sinker alot, but a specialty pitch like that doesn't do as well over a long period--it does well in spot/situations, where an out or outs are needed.

I agree with you that the age of specialization often relegates a pitcher to "mop up" in hopeless situations. With Kameron and his specialty pitch (sinker), he can be most valuable. Therefore, I agree he isn't one of those "mop-up" guys, but a mainstay and an important guy in the pen.

So I agree, mainly, with your assertion that Loe is NOT just a "mop-up" guy.

Jail time for a DWI? Ha Ha, what are you thinking? It is only when you kill someone that you get jail time. Did anyone else see the You Tube video of La Russa passed out behind the wheel of his vehicle. What a leader and this after one of his players killed himself as an intoxicated driver. Doesn't matter, La Russa is an Attorney himself and he is rich so it doesn't matter. Leyritz is going to prison, son. I believe Little was arrested for DWI after his manslaughter conviction. Looks like he may need a Little counseling, Mr. Courtney about his substance abuse issue. Ooh Hefe, i was off by 5 years, so crucify me. Since Baseball is a game of stats heres one for you. A person with a blood alcohol level of .15 or more is 25X more likely to be involved in a fatality accident. The average DWI violator commits the offense 80 times per year. Texas continues to lead the nation in DWI fatal accidents. So be careful out there especially on the weekends. You never know when someone famous may run into you. If they do, your death may have been in vain as they walk out the door and receive their second chance. The bottom line is if you are going to drink and i do so myself, just don't drive. It just makes sense, ask Leyritz i am sure he will tell you.

Dgod, I'm not arguing the merits of drunk driving (of which there are none.) I simply like busting you on inaccuracies. It's fun and it's easy due to the volume of factual errors in your posts.
I’m firmly convinced that beer is one of the greatest inventions of the ancient world, but equally as convinced that the designated driver is one of the greatest inventions of the modern world.

I live in a rural area with limited public transportation. So a sober, safe ride is something that has to be planned for. I will never understand or have sympathy for a man in Leyritz’ position, for whom a cab fare means absolutely nothing and makes all the sense in the world.

I’m not about to argue your stats on drinking related traffic offenses and how they correlate to fatal accidents in the state of Texas. I will however bring to light the difference between a 10 year and a 15 year prison sentence. It’s a pretty big deal. Ask Mr. Leyritz.

I’d be willing to buy you a beer at a Rangers game some time if we can correlate attendance and, while I may drive to the game, I won’t be driving back to the hotel.