Monday Morning Manger...Josh Hamilton's contract

1. Nolan has done a very good job of giving Texas an aggressive approach to becoming a contender again. He has had a prominent role especially with the media, using that tough Texan exterior to assure the media that the Rangers aren't content with losing year after year, something that Tom Hicks doesn't really address with certainty.

2. I would like to see Nolan Ryan really work on improving the team's image with both the media and in the Rangers fan network both inside and outside the Metroplex. He has done a good job of letting the media know that he has high expectations, but there are still plenty of skeptics that are against the player development methods that the Rangers are going with the last few years.

3. I can't see the Rangers signing anyone else this offseason.

4. Frank Catalanotto. What happens if Little Cat has a huge spring - What is his future with this club?

5. I think it's very important to lock up Hamilton long term. Hamilton has assured the Rangers that his past is exactly that, and given his talent, I think the Rangers should give the same type of reply in a long term contract offer.

“The best thing about the future is that it comes only one day at a time.” – Abraham Lincoln

1. Hey, he put names on the minor leaguers spring training uniforms – that makes him a success in my book. Seriously: so far, so good.

2. Keep Mr. Hicks knee immobile (to keep him from “knee jerking” reactions to the roller coaster of the “building from within” plan) – and as far away from media microphones as possible.

3. Will Manny take a one-year contract at the major league minimum?

4. Thomas Diamond. I think Thomas is best suited to the bullpen, and I think that given that opporunity he could possibly be the Rangers closer – maybe as soon as next season.

5. Josh Hamilton should be the “exception” to Mr. Hicks self imposed frugality. Recovering from his past problems is a lifetime project –there are no guarantees – long term security might be a help with that process. Josh Hamilton – is one of the most talented baseball players ever to wear a Ranger uniform, and he ought be wearing that uniform for a long time.

http://emcmlb.blogspot.com/

1. I respect the way Nolan has come into the organization listening. Too often, the new boss comes in too heavy-handed and trying to put his stamp on things or implementing policies from a previous post (which oftentimes don't work in the new post). By far, his biggest accomplishment so far has been to isolate us fans from Tom Hicks. The less I hear from Hicks, the better. Keep it up Nolan, please.

2. Hire a manager.

3. The list looks pretty well picked over at this point.

4. Lots of guys getting attention that should, meaning not as much attention on a guy like Josh Rupe.

5. What's the rush? The team still controls his rights for 4 years, and given his age and risks I'm not sure the cost certainty of a long-term agreement is worth the risk the team takes on. Right now doesn't seem the time to me at all.

If the team doesn't sign him to a long-term deal and he performs well, he'll get rewarded in arbitration - if he performs poorly/gets hurt/other, the team is not locked into what would then be a bad deal.

If the team insists on doing something now, it seems like any deal would have to be pretty team-friendly to make much sense.

-briant

1. I'm remaining positive, but skeptical about his approach to having our young pitchers throw more. It seems like a double edged sword.

2. Advil........and please don't give orders to overwork promising youngsters like Kiker and Main. I'd also echo Eleanor's sentiment.

3. If Juan Cruz weren't a Type A, he'd have a multi-year deal already. He's worth the draft pick compensation if we could get him cheaply for 2-3 years. He's a real difference maker at the back end of a bulllpen.

4. I don't have a true sleeper, but I want Warner Madrigal to make this club. He wouldn't be harmed by more minor league time necessarily, but I'd like to see him getting big league innings this season. I like his stuff.

5. Hamilton's extension needs to happen before the end of Spring 2010, but I'd rather it get done now. Pay the man. Keep him in Texas for the next 5-6 years.

I like the new picture of Johnny. It's very...........sunny. It reminds me of that Vera Lynn song.

1) I like his approach, i just wished he would have cleaned house by firing Hart, Daniels and Washington last year. (I like Washington, but he is being set up by Daniels to take the fall if they start off slow). To me Washington and Daniels are a package deal, if one goes then the other has to go also.
2) Don't trade our pitching prospects.
3) Kenny Rogers
4) Taylor is better than Salty but all you hear is salty this, salty that, i hope it is just trade hype for salty.
5) The Rangers are only contemplating re-upping Ham because they believe they can save huge amounts of money once the market goes back up. At this point, Arbitration is where a player wants to go.

The Rangers are going to have to pay 1/2 of Cats salary to get rid of him. We have way too much left handed hitters and he doesn't hit with a lot of power. Cat was sold as making up for losing De Rosa. Would De Rosa look that bad at third right now? Darn a guy who wants to play everyday. The Rangers missed on that one badly. If i were king, i trade Young and move Kinsler to third and play Duran at second. Think of the financial flexibility we could have if we dumped the face and Cat, how much could we save $20 million?

1. Nolan has done nothing to hurt the franchise, I'd argue more the opposite. He gets buy-in from young pitchers to "the program" right out of the chute. He brings credibility to the front office as it relates to the players, on the roster, in the minors, or potential free-agent signings. He has been in the business side of baseball as well, his franchises are successful. Still looks like a bit of inspiration from Mr Hicks by getting him here.

2. Stay the course.

To those that porpose Nolan advocates overworking the young pitchers. When Leo Mazzone was the pitching guru when Atlanta was so consistent year after year, one of his principles was that the starters throw on the side, alot. Folks used to refer to that all the time in amazement but it worked. The thing to remember is, pitchers need work to build arm strength. The pitching coach's job is to get them that work but help them get rid of mechanical issues that cause injuries. To that end Nolan has just set an organizational philosophy which to me emphasizes mental toughness more than anything else. No more "5 and dives."
He wants competitors and guys who want the ball to help the team win, not just get through a few innings and hope the offense puts up more runs...

3. Not at this point. We don't need any high-priced, one year sideshows.

4. Camp Sleeper... David Murphy. I hope he comes in and plays like he has a chip on his shoulder. Guy goes from seems like he has established himself talk to all of the sudden he is just really a 4A guy. TAKE the job Murph! Honorable mention to Taylor Teagarden, I think he may open some eyes offensively. I just like watching him play and he has a flair for the dramatic plus it is kind of hard to argue with solid D up the middle (see the whole MY fiasco).

5. I view this as the same way everyone was looking at Kinsler coming into last year. Get it done, whatever it takes. Josh did more in one year to put this franchise back on the map than anything or anyone else in the last 10 years. He earned it and deserves it, his family deserves it, becasue I'm sure last year was no picnic at times for Mrs. Hamilton. We signed draft picks to more than he made last year.

The money doesn't matter to Josh, in fact Johnny Narron is the guy who carries all the money. Johnny Narron is already being taken care of as a "special" Coach. So i am sure that jealousy and envy aren't in Josh's vocabulary. Because this would not be biblical. I am sure Josh would be the first one to tell them to use that money on pitching. Besides he is an award winning author and doesn't need the cash. I would charge for those autograph seekers though. I am sure that it is very difficult to get by on $375, 000 plus per year. That and having your room and board being taken care of on the road along with the team furnishing you meal money. It is very tough i am sure...... My wife and i get by on $210,000 with two kids so i am sure Josh ain't starvin. "The love of money is the root of all evil."

Sheez, D'God, not just barely disguised bitterness or what? If you are looking for a cause to trumpet about inequal pay or whatever, may I suggest you go find the sposue with two kids of the nearest young Soldier, Sailor, Marine or Airman and ask her/him about making ends meet while the spouse is deployed or otherwise. May I also suggest making a charitable donation to the AER, Red Cross or any of the other mumber of charities that help these young families when they need to put food on the table. Judging by the numbers you threw out there, you need the deduction.

Emulate the Hamiltons, you will feel better in the end.