Monday Morning Manager...St. Patrick's Day

1. Not Eric Hurley. Not yet anyway. Between the other two, I'm not sure. I think I'd like to see what Luis Mendoza can do though.

2. I like Mench, but I fully believe Jason Botts needs a full season (or at least a consistent stretch) in the majors before the Rangers can truly evaluate him. But it's starting to look like they'll be evaluating him from the opposing team's dugout.

3. Hamilton would be perfect as clean-up. Maybe Bradley behind him and then Blalock.

4. I think it should be his spot to lose, but I don't know if it should be guaranteed.

5. Absolutely. He has the right mindset and personality for the closers job.

http://diamondgirl.mlblogs.com

1. Haven't decided between Ponson and Mendoza. Don't think Hurley is quite ready.
2. Mench. I'm tired of all this "give Botts more time". Why? he's benched senior players without producing. why punish them? Let the vets play!

3. Haven't seen enough of Bradley play to decide that. I like both Hamilton or Blalock in that role.

4. No, if he doesn't produce, send him back to AAA

5. Yes. I think CJ's personality is a good fit for closer, and he will do a good job at it.

"St. Patrick was a gentleman
Who through strategy and stealth

Drove all the snakes from Ireland,

Here’s a toasting to his health;

But not too many toastings

Lest you lose yourself and then

Forget the good St. Patrick

And see all those snakes again."

1. Eric Hurley doesn’t need to be considered for the starting rotation until at least June or July – period.

Since the Rangers don’t need a 5th starter right away, I’d send both Ponson and Mendoza to OKC – then when the needs arises whoever has pitched most effectively gets the call to the big league team.

2. The other day in the Startlegram there was a quote by JD that said something to the effect of “we know what we are getting from Kevin Mench, we’ve been down that road before” – which I think is perfect example of the mindset of the Rangers organization for at least the past 9 years, and maybe their entire existence. Instead of being bold, or trying a different route for example being patient with young players that come up through their own minor league when they struggle a bit (see Travis Hafner) – they'd rather cower behind mediocre veteran - then truly giving a young player the opportunity to succeed or fail.

If Jon Daniels doesn’t trust the players that come through his farm system (as evidenced by the fact he won’t give Botts a real opportunity and the pitching he’s traded away the last three offseasons) then I have a suggestion for him: Maybe it’s time to start over, and re-tool your scouting department and player development to put people in place you trust to find and develop talent that you will want to give the opportunity to succeed with the Rangers rather than constantly looking for something better from elsewhere.

3. No, I don’t agree – Josh Hamilton should be the cleanup hitter – but Ron’s the manager, the leader (who led this team to last place in 2007) it’s his team, his lineup – we’ll see what happens. Ron Washington continues to make very curious choices and statements – I was never onboard with his hiring and become less so every day

4. No

5. Yes – provided he’s healthy.

http://emc.mlblogs.com

1. Mendoza deserves a shot.
2. Mench. All I keep hearing about Botts is that he has a slow bat and is a liability on defense. Having a decent spring though.

3. If they think they need to ease him into the cleanup role then, I'm fine with that. I would rather see him in the 3 hole behind Young. This guy has the potential to be an RBI machine. A mistake to bat him 2nd.

4. Absolutely not. I like Gabbard, but he needs to earn his spot too. He hasn't done squat this spring, and a control pitcher who can't locate his pitches might as well be throwing BP.

5. Yes and No. Too many walks and way too many piches thrown. I like his attitude toward the closer's role, but if he is to be successful he needs to come in and get outs not try to strike everyone out.

1. Hurley...let's get this party(rebuild) started. Felix Hernandez of Seattle is younger than Hurley and has made 63 major-league starts. If Hurley is the real deal he will figure it out as he goes.
The Rangers must compete against Hernandez for years to come and must find pitchers who can compete at his level. Not to mention Bedard and all the twenty-somethings Anaheim and Oakland have groomed or are grooming.

2.Botts, we know Mench is a spare part already. Botts may be a spare too but he needs a full season to show otherwise.

3.Hamilton, if healthy,could be as good as anyone in the league. Bat him anywhere he wants to bat.

4.gabbard needs to earn his way like anyone else.

5.Yes, find out if he is the anchor this staff needs and if he isn't let's go find someone who will be.

1. Luis Mendoza

2. Both Botts and Mench, time to trade Cat.

3. Not a Wash fan (yet) so whatever he does will probably be wrong (imo), although hitting 600, with power, out of the 4 hole should give Wash a clue.

4. Who is better than Gabbard, at this point?

5. We (Texas Ranger Fans) are lucky to have CJ, as far as I am concerned, he can do whatever he wants.

1. I agree with EMC on this. Let the audition continue in AAA. (Mendoza will probaly come out on top IMO)
2. Botts; we know what we have in Mench and I would like to see what Hafner (oops, Botts) can do over a period of time

3. Why is this even a debate? Bradley (don't get me wrong,I like MB) hasn't even hit in an "A" game and JH is batting .600 w/an ops of 1.700

4. In the same spirit as the Botts question let Gabbard pitch. If he can't handle it, move BMac into his spot when he returns and keep Mendoza/Ponson

5. Wilson should be our closer unless he falters on his own

P.S. : Wash, quit over thinking it and put the guys where they need to be until their numbers dictate a change

1. Don't care as long as it's not Hurley. I'd like to see him get 10-12 more starts at OK, keep his fastball down and refine his changeup. I guess I'll give a slight nod to Mendoza, but some AAA time wouldn't hurt him either.

2. Botts. He's having a great spring and he's out of options.

3. Hamilton clearly has the most power on the team. I wouldn't mind seeing him hit third and Bradley at cleanup. I think Young is a prototypical #2 hitter, but Wash seems dead set on batting him 3rd.

4. Guarantee is a strong word, but if Conners and Washington think he deserves the job it's his. The spring should be about refinging control and getting ready for the season, not necessarily putting up good-looking numbers.

5. Yes. He made marked improvement against right handed hitters between '06 and '07. I expect more improvement this year and his continued dominance of lefties.

No love for Brave New World? Shame.

Today everyone is Irish. "God Bless all here." (We'll see who knows the response to that) Or as us Stevens Point Irish say "Dzien dobry"

1. The starting pitching is so pathetic...it's really a hard question. Let's say Mendoza so that we can say we're in a rebuilding year.

2. I keep both and get rid of Byrd, Cruz and Saltamachia. While I'm going strong I also get rid of Loe, Tejada and Francisco. I also don't bear a lot of love for Cat.

3. Milton who? has he played for us this year?? What the heck does Hamilton have to do?

4. Well since you ask...see question 1 above. However neither do I think that the others should be guaranteed a place. Gabbard is a sore armed, mid eighties flame thrower (cough, cough).. Who evidently can't even find his control this spring. nuf said.

5. The bullpen (those of them who will be with us) is a bright spot. CJ can do it if he's healthy. If he's not let Fukamori close. I'm not so sure if "Everyday Eddie will be with the team out of spring training. He hasn't actually impressed me.

With a starting pitching staff like ours I'm sure the original Monday morning manager (the old perfesser himself) would have repeated "Don't cut my throat, I might want to do that myself later."

I am comfortable with CJ as long as he is healthy. If not I think I would go with Fukumori.

If its a choice between Mench and Botts, give it to botts to see hat he can do. He deserves a shot.

I don't believe gabbard is a given but he should get at least a few starts before someone else gets their shot. we do need at least one lefty in the rotation so give gabbard the ball and if it needs a change give murray his shot later.

re mendoza and ponson. whoever pitches the best between now and the start of the season gets it. Mendoza can always get a shot quickly if he is needed

Everybody forgets how depressing it was to watch Mench go into one of his 2 for 45 streaks (which he did three times a year). He'll never be any different. As for the novels, anybody who hates Silas Marner has never had a daughter.

OK, please tell me why all you guys say Hurley shouldn't be considered. Why can't the Rangers have their best pitching prospect learn at the major-league level like their division rivals do. Is it that the Rangers prospects aren't as talented or can the Rangers organization just not develop pitchers as well as their competition.
The Angels entire starting rotation is under 30 years old. Lackey and Saunders were 23 when they began their big league careers. Weaver and Santana 22. Garland was 20 when he began in Chicago. Felix Hernandez is YOUNGER than Hurley and this will be his 4th big league campaign.

Francisco Rodriguez is 2 years younger than the Rangers "young unproven closer" C.J. Wilson.

Come on guys, this organization needs a "can do attitiude" with their prospects, not the current "can't do" attitude.

Botts,Cruz and Murphy are all older than Angels infield starters Kotchman,Kendrick,Aybar(these 3 are younger than Kinsler too) and catcher Napoli and the Rangers just can't seem to let Botts, Cruz and Murphy have a real big-league opportunity. The Angels on the other hand give their prospects the chance for big league success.

We need an attitude adjustment in Arlington or this organization will never compete with Anaheim.

1. Fifth starter should be Robinson Tejeda.

2. I'd rather have Nelson Cruz than Botts or Mench.

3. Hamilton should bat third.

4. No, Gabbard should have to earn it.

5. Yeah, Wilson should be the closer.

For the record:

John Lackey pitched 159 1/3 at AAA (ERA 4.06) at ages 22 and 23

Joe Saunders has spent parts of 3 seasons at AAA 276 IP 3.81 ERA age 24-25-26

Jon Garland did pitch parts of 2 seasons at AAA 136 2/3 IP 2.51 ERA

Eric Hurley has 73 1/3 IP at AAA with an ERA closer to 5 than to 4 (4.91) and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same sentence as Felix Hernandez who is a phenomenal talent. Ranger fans can only pray that Texas scouting department will someday find a young pitcher who is that talented (and then not mess up his development or trade him away).

One other thing - it may seem inconsistent that I complain about the Rangers lack of patience with young players and then say that Kason Gabbard shouldn't be assured of a rotation spot. That has to do more with my perception of Gabbard - I'm not sold on him - I'd rather see A.J. Murrary or Matt Harrison get a longer look than Gabbard.

Come on EMC, King Felix has all the talent anyone could ask for but, does he have the mentallity to be dominant more than once through the line-up? Talent will only take you so far (see Juan Domingez, Robinson Tejeda) you also have to have mental toughness (see Moyer, K. Rogers) to pitch in the bigs. I'm not saying that Hurley will be the next Moyer but, I think he can be just as effective as Hernandez. Power is great but, it means nothing if you don't know how to "pitch". Being extremely effective through the line-up one trip around means trouble in the 3rd and a darn tired bullpen at the end of the year. I think Hurley has more control

Let's compare minor league stats:

Felix Hernandez:

306 IP

363 K

122 BB

16 HR

2.59 ERA

Eric Hurley

498 IP

460 K

167 BB

60 HR

3.83 ERA

Can King Felix "figure out" how to get hitters out the second time around? Apparently he has - in 2006 he pitched 190 inning for the major league team - with an ERA of 4.52 - last season he pitched the exact same number of innig 190 and lowered his ERA to 3.92 - so, yes, I'd say he's figuriing it out. Especially against the Rangers last year: 14 IP, 15 K's 1.84 ERA.

Hurley is going to be a nice solid pitcher - maybe even above average (which is great considering it's the Rangers) Hernandez (as long as he stays healthy) is going to be a star.

1) If I was crafting the situation, I'd want Sidney Ponson, ONLY because he has been a winner on the MAJOR LEAGUE level before, not long ago. If his showing yesterday was only an aberration, and he pitches like he did the first outing, then I think Ponson is the choice. (I had just responded on the other blog question of Eric Hurley starting again BEFORE I read this blog question, and wanted Eric Hurley.) IF Ponson is back, then I'd say Ponson. But, I'm all for Hurley making the rotation.

2) My choice, Nelson Cruz, undoubtedly is out of the mix, based on your question TR. Therefore, I'd say Mench because he has proven himself on the Major League level, not just been a flash in the pan in the Minors, Mexican Leagues, or facing minor league pitchers in Spring Training. HOWEVER, and I know this next thought would be a shocker for some, but IF Jason Botts is outproducing, and showing he can actually play a position (Mench can play defensive circles around him though), then I'd say Jason Botts should merit the spot, as Mench has minor league options. I'd much, much prefer Kevin Mench to make it on the team though, as he is or has proven to be productive on the Major League level.

3) Josh Hamilton is ready for ANYTHING, in my opinion. I'm spiritually against and my Church is against human cloning, but, hey, with a phenom like Josh Hamilton, I'd likely make an exception. Sorry Milton, Josh is THE MAN. But, is our "illustrious" Manager listening?

4) Should Kason Gabbard be guaranteed a spot in the rotation? ONLY, and I mean ONLY if he pitches like he did last year, WHEN HE WAS HEALTHY. He looked like a poor man's Jamie Moyer or Kenny Rogers, which ain't bad. Only let the people actually producing to make the team. Competition, I believe they call it. If he doesn't make it and is sent down, you'd think a fire might be lit under his seat to improve and reclaim his success last year. But a guaranteed spot? No.

5) I'm not comfortable with CJ as the closer. I love the guy, but I'd rather have a healthy Aki or Joaquin Benoit closing. I would like CJ to pitch to specific lefties (Ichiro, Garrett Anderson, etc....or some righties). I think CJ is much, much better in spots. CJ, if you are reading this, this is NOT a knock at all. I have utmost confidence in you.

Also, if Hurley has more control it's not translating into fewer walks. He walked a couple of more batters in 162 minor league innings than Felix did in 190+ big league innings.

You rock Eleanor! I couldn't have said it better myself...especially your paragraph on developing properly
and not trading away. Ranger fans have had so little to cheer about they tend to pounce on anyone with promise and say bring them up. Remember how hot everyone was on DVD. Danks and Volquez are gone, both rushed in my opinion because we have paid so little attention to front line starters. Someone coming up with less than 100 AAA innings and an almost five ERA and together with the showing made so far in Spring Training is at most a mid season or September call up

1. Ponson should be the fourth starter. Let him start a half-dozen games while Kason Gabbard works on his delivery at OKC. Mendoza should be the fifth starter. Let's not rush Hurley.
2. Mench has proven that he can hit major league pitching April through October. Botts only hits during the other months.

3. How can you not bat Hamilton cleanup? I know that he will cool off sooner or later but look what he has done so far this spring.

4. See answer 1

5. If CJ can master the zen of low pitch counts, he should be our closer at least until Diamond is ready.

1. I think Ponson should be number 4 and find out if gabbard gets his head right. also heard Ponson might be headed to the bullpen if he doesnt make the rotation.

2. Its tough cause both are swinging the bat well. but Mench has a track record and always hits well at the ballpark.

3. my line-up would be

1. Kinsler

2. Blalock

3. Young

4. Hamilton

5. Bradley

6. Byrd

7. Murphy

8. Broussard

9. Laird/Salty

4. NO he has been awful Ponson Mendoza and Hurley have all thrown better then he has. he should not be given a rotation spot when people are pitching better then he is.

5. I think he has a couple of screws loose so yeah i like him as the closer. But fukumori has also looked good

1) There is a large part of me that wants to say Hurley. Everything I have read about him suggests that it would be stupid to compare him mentally to Volquez, Dominquez,or R. Rodriguez. I think he can take his lumps and continue to improve.
2) I would start the season with Botts. He and Mench have similar looking springs, and Mench can be sent to AAA without clearing waivers. If Botts can win the spot in 2 months of consistent at-bats, keep him, if not maybe Mench can be the spark that Byrd was last year.

3) I think Bradley is fine in the cleanup spot. Where I disagree is I think Hamilton should be hitting in the 3 hole and Young in the 2 spot. I think Blalock is good in the 5 hole.

4) I think Gabbard should get the chance to start the season in the rotation. If he continues to struggle like he has in ST, then I would make some changes.

5) I would keep CJ in the closer role. He wants the job and has the stuff to be successful. Better than any other choice we have. I just hope he has plenty of chances to actually SAVE games.

1. None of the above. Ponson is useless. Hurley needs more time at AAA, and Mendoza hasn't been able to get consistent outs this spring - I'm really not sure he'll ever make it as a starter. No, Robinson Tejeda should be the 5th starter - he's done it before, he's got good stuff, and he's out of options. He should get the call.

2. Again, it's all about the options - Botts doesn't have any. Mench can stay in AAA for awhile until we have to call him up. Botts needs to get the chance.

3. Josh Hamilton can hit in any spot in the lineup, he is that good. I don't know why Wash insists he's not good enough to bat #3 or #4. Those are probably the most ideal spots in the lineup to maximize his run production.

4. Gabbard has been horrid this spring. He's definitely not the reliable front-line starter we thought he was last year. But it's not like we've got anyone better right now, so I guess you have to give him a spot anyway. But once Hurley is ready, and once Brandon McCarthy gets back, Gabbard's gonna get the hatchet.

5. More comfortable than anyone else on this team. I guess Benoit could do it too, but in my mind, Guardado and Fukumori aren't real options for the 9th inning role. CJ has the stuff, the fire, and the mentality for it - in my mind, there's no doubt he should be our closer.

http://lonestarincalfornia.mlblogs.com/

1. I'd go with Ponson if he were the 2003 model. I'd rather he or Mendoza get the nod unless Hurley blows people away in the next couple of weeks.

2. Botts, Mench doesn't exactly have teams clamoring for his services at the moment, we can send him to AAA for a while, and if he takes his free agency, maybe he'll find a team that needs him, but it's unlikely to be one that will need him 2-3 year from now, just as the Rangers are not that team.

3. I'd always prefer my cleanup hitter to be someone who puts on BP sessions that are the stuff of legend (Hamilton), rather than someone who has a career AB/HR ratio of over 30/1 (Bradley). There's something to be said for a patient hitter in that spot who knows how to knock in runs, but I think before long we may have Bradley and Hamilton switching spots.

4. We need at least one lefty starter, and if he can re-establish his command he should get this spot. Who else is going to fill it anyway?

5. I'm comfortable with CJ for now, as long as he doesn't turn into Coco Cordero circa 2005 and make every game dramatic by walking men into scoring position and turning 3 run leads into 1 run leads before making the save.

1. Eric Hurley should be the fifth starter?

2. Bottsy

3. Helluva I know... Josh Hamilton is ready for that spot?

4. Yes... Kason Gabbard should be guaranteed a spot in the rotation

5. Yep... loves me some CJ

1. Mendoza, with Hurley at the ready.
2.Botts

3.If Bradley plays, bat him 4th, giving Hamilton a chance to get some good pitches to hit.

4. Yes

5. Yes