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Daniels On Sheets, El Duque, Trade Deadline

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 16, 2009 at 4:23pm CST]

Rangers GM Jon Daniels answered questions in an online chat hosted by Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News. One thing becomes clear throughout the chat: Daniels will try to win this year:

Ben Sheets isn't far enough along to be talking contract, but the Rangers are in touch with his agent.
The Rangers could deal prospects away to improve their playoff chances this year, but Daniels doesn't suggest that's likely.
Tom Glavine is "probably not" a fit.
Orlando Hernandez could be ready for the majors by late July.
Daniels says signing Matt Purke and Tanner Scheppers before July 31st wouldn't make him more likely to part with other prospects in a deal.
The Rangers talked with Luis Vizcaino before he signed with Cleveland.
Could the Rangers pick up a big-time starter? Daniels says "we'll see."

Comments

If I were the Rangers, I wouldn't expect anything from Sheets. He is talented, yes, but he is not the kind of guy to recover from an injury on the short end of the projection, quite the contrary.

Sheets is on his own time with this.

Posted by: BeanoCook | June 16, 2009 at 04:28 PM

Oh God, could you imagine old man Glavine pitching in that park?

Posted by: www.homehalfway.net | June 16, 2009 at 04:45 PM

"If I were the Rangers, I wouldn't expect anything from Sheets. He is talented, yes, but he is not the kind of guy to recover from an injury on the short end of the projection, quite the contrary.

Sheets is on his own time with this.

Posted by: BeanoCook | June 16, 2009 at 04:28 PM"

Absolutely. Major arm trouble, recovery, AL, Arlington, Sheets in general do not make a good combination.

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | June 16, 2009 at 05:14 PM

That he said "we'll see" in regards to acquiring a big arm is more than enough indication to me that he'd be willing to part with prospects this year in a furthering effort to make the playoffs.

Posted by: JohnKruksWaistLine | June 16, 2009 at 05:24 PM

How about the reds reverse the trade where they sent big offense for big pitching. Maybe a trade centered around Salty or Teagarden for Arroyo

Posted by: coltholt | June 16, 2009 at 05:32 PM

How about the reds reverse the trade where they sent big offense for big pitching. Maybe a trade centered around Salty or Teagarden for Arroyo

Posted by: coltholt | June 16, 2009 at 05:32 PM

The Braves and the Rangers really match up well here. Braves have some Veterans that are top notch starters and are slightly expendable if we get something of extreme value in return like a bat.

I still think Lowe, Frenchy, maybe a throw in like Cody Johnson and paying 5 mil of Lowes contract a year would be a decent start to a deal for Nelson Cruz. Rangers get Lowe for the next 4 years to head their rotation Braves get a replacement for Frenchy.

Whats funny is i think Frenchy would turn into a better player being around that hitting coach and such because when he worked with him this offseason he came in solid and has faltered as of late because of messing with his stance and such.

Posted by: drumzalicious | June 16, 2009 at 05:32 PM

Daniels is such a clown. When they are losing (every year) he chimes in with "we will stick to the plan" of NOT trading prospects and building from within.

But now with a slim 2 game lead he would consider it ?

Posted by: kinsler5 | June 16, 2009 at 05:34 PM

Curious,

Would rangers trade ian kinsler for bobby parnell jon niese josh thole and brad holt?

Posted by: beastOftheEast | June 16, 2009 at 05:49 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't Frency work with Rudy over winter then ask him why he reverted to his own stance as soon as the season started? Seems like he didn't listen to Rudy and now he is into the same old habits as last year.

Posted by: Boomer | June 16, 2009 at 05:50 PM

Daniels is such a clown. When they are losing (every year) he chimes in with "we will stick to the plan" of NOT trading prospects and building from within.

But now with a slim 2 game lead he would consider it ?

Posted by: kinsler5 | June 16, 2009 at 05:34 PM

Yes, that is how rebuilding works.

Sheets would be a good sign, though. Probably not going to get someone who is a perfect fit with the ballpark, but at least you can add a guy with talent and desire to pitch for a chance at the playoffs.

Posted by: mateodh | June 16, 2009 at 05:54 PM

"Daniels is such a clown. When they are losing (every year) he chimes in with "we will stick to the plan" of NOT trading prospects and building from within."

"But now with a slim 2 game lead he would consider it ?"

Kinsler5, once again...you are a joke and should quit posting on Ranger related rumors. All you do is dog on JD and the organizatioin like you know everything there is to know about running an organization. JD is not an idiot, when we were last in the running for the playoffs he aquired some legit pieces without giving up any real prospects. When he decided to rebuild, he got us the best farm system in baseball within a few years. So I'm sure he will acquire some pieces to help us win this year while still keeping the farm system loaded and building for the future.

Posted by: JH32 | June 16, 2009 at 06:25 PM

Yes Francouer did work with Rudy during the off-season and he was hitting well at first. After he had a stretch in late april when he weant i believe 1-13 with 5k's he just stupidly gave up on it and when back to listening to the hitting genius that is Terry Pendleton. Francouer is alot like Andruw at points in his career, loads of talent but stubborn and won't listen. After the embarrasement that Andruw went through last year he got his head on straight, got in shape and made a great choice choosing Texas and hitting guru Rudy Jaramillo over T.P. Maybe the best thing the Braves could for this team is hang on to Francouer this season but bench him and try to bring in Jaramillo next year by paying him an ubsurd amount.

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 06:27 PM

I also I agree JD is a pretty good gm for the Rangers. He pulled off one of the greatest farm system slaugteriongs of all time in the Texeira deal, a solid switch hitting catcher, a gold glove 20yr old ss who is improving every day with the bat, a 21yr old pitcher who gets 100mph with ease and another pitcher whose name i forgot sorry. Also remember he got Kinsler for vitually nothing.

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 06:33 PM

Methinks you guys are misreading Daniels. When he says "we'll see," I think he means "no, unless someone wants to hand us something pretty special for a really really good price."

That's the way he operates, and I don't see how anyone can complain about his performance since the early bad trades he pulled. He's done a good job of stocking the system.

We'll see how he does on the other end - trying to turn those prospects into some pieces that help the team.

And yes, I too am tired of Kinsler5's tired routine. You can tell what he's going to say before he says it. Sorry bro, but that's the truth.

I wouldn't worry about Sheets this year. But I bet Texas signs him for next year. He lives in Dallas. His favorite coach is Mike Maddux. Is that enough for ya?

Posted by: J the Dizzolla | June 16, 2009 at 06:42 PM

ha i love that El Duque is coming back. I'm telling you Ranger fans this guy is a winner and with that offense he could be a nice find. Don't expect a Cy Young type performance but he can be maddening to opposing hitters. Think Wakefield except with a slew of pitches instead of just a knuckleball. Hopefully he can stay healthy though.

As for everyone bashing the Rangers organization right now...have you even looked at the talent and depth this club has right now both at the major league level and in the minors? How can criticize a GM that has his team in first place AND has the most loaded farm system in baseball.

Posted by: yanks09 | June 16, 2009 at 06:44 PM

bravoboy10: The Rangers drafted Kinsler.

Posted by: Scorpion559 | June 16, 2009 at 06:46 PM

I like that Daniels isn't drawing much attention to Sheets right now. The rap on sheets' career is that something always comes up. Hes not a player to put your hopes into and if he is you have been disappointed many times. IF he can get healthy and stay healthy he could provide a huge boost for the Rangers. That a big if though as he has never been able to do that in his career.

Posted by: yanks09 | June 16, 2009 at 06:48 PM

bravoboy10: The other pitcher you're thinking of is Matt Harrison. There was also a left hander named Beau Jones coming to the Rangers as well.

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 06:51 PM

I thin Daniels has done an amazing job with the system. He made some bad trades; namely Chris Young, Adrian Gonzalez, and Sledge for Aki, Eaton, and that left handed throwing catcher, Killian I think. The Gallaraga deal was a misevaluation of talent by his scouts, the Danks deal is starting to even out, and the Soriano/Wilkerson deal was a forced issue. The Tex deal was amazing, as was the Hamilton deal, bringing in guys like Pedro Strop and Madrigal through other oraganizations errors, the Angels, was awesome. His drafts have been exemplary and the international signing can't be beaten by anyone. Plus, he brought in the teams best reliever, not named Francisco, through the waiver wire.

To make a very long message short, I think he's done a bang up job with what was a laughable franchise and they are now set up to become what the Angels have been for the last decade in the AL West.

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 06:57 PM

*Organization errors, the Angels, Madrigal, and Rockies, Strop*

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 06:59 PM

Sorry I didn't mention the teams best reliever for those that don't follow the team that closely: Darren O'Day

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 07:01 PM

Sorry about Kinsler, I meant to say that he made a steal getting him the 17th round. Thanks rjcnattc. Yeah Texas got a 23 year old whose doin okay for learning on the job at that park and jones who looks like he to could one day make i to the bigs. If Texas wins the west and kinsler stays on the pace he's on he's got to be the MVP. .260/.340/.510 39hr 114rbi 25sb. The power proabaly will proabaly be closer to 30hr but still he's something special.

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 07:11 PM

No doubt, I don't think there is any way he hits below .280 either. He's been in a month long slump, otherwise his numbers would be a lot better.

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 07:16 PM

Yeah, he's a career .293 hitter coming into this year.

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 07:22 PM

I love Kinsler but I do wonder if he is just a product his home park. His road number are really bad at .182/.244/.372. Just something to think about.

Posted by: Boomer | June 16, 2009 at 07:29 PM

Imagaine the hype that would be around players like Kinsler, Hanley Ramirez, and Joey Votto if they were the infield for the Red Sox or Yankees.

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 07:32 PM

That's the truth. Nelson Cruz would also be getting a lot of hype.

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 07:35 PM

Good point Boomer, if he doesn't improve those then he could suffer the same kind of thing that happened to Todd Helton a few years ago when his overall numbers were off the charts but his park cost him in the long run

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 07:41 PM

I think Kinsler gets pretty good hype considering he is ahead of dustin and cano for the all-star voting, which is an obvious popularity contest with Jed Lowrie at #4 for the AL SS.

Posted by: Boomer | June 16, 2009 at 07:42 PM

The All-Star voting is ridiculous. As a fan, I don't think our vote should cancel out common sense. Manny's got almost a million votes and Hamilton is second in the AL outfield, he's hitting .240 with just a handful of homers. The All-Star voting, like the Gold Glove, is far too often just a mega popularity contest and they need to change the criteria for each.

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 07:45 PM

Yeah Lowrie on the list killed me. Hes played I believe 9 games and is 1-18 at the plate with a single. Nothing against the guy but seriously?

Posted by: Boomer | June 16, 2009 at 07:47 PM

Hey guys, I don't know if you're watching the Rangers game right now: Kinsler 2-2, 2hr in the bottom of the 2nd. Looks like he may be busting out of that slump :)

Posted by: rjcnattc | June 16, 2009 at 07:49 PM

I agree about the All-Star voting rjcnattc. To have the AS game mid-season is ridiculous. Have it after the season like the NFL does the Pro Bowl, and you'll get guys who truly deserve to be All-Stars because they've had a great SEASON, not just a great couple of months. That would eliminate voting in one-half wonders like Turnbow and Fukudome when they went. Objectively speaking, Kinsler doesn't deserve to go with his horrible BA, yet he's going to. When's the last time a .260 guy went to the AS game? Pathetic.

Posted by: rangerchick | June 16, 2009 at 08:25 PM

okay, a guy in the top 3 at his position in Hr, rbi, and OPS in sb and doubles doesn't desserve to go. Sorry i'm just not buying it, his BA is one stat that will be up 20 points or so by this time next month. Show me who deserves it more than him?

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 08:47 PM

several guys with .260 BA make all star games. Andruw Jones in '05 and '06. Dan Uggla and Varitek( okay fine that's a product of the nation) last year just to name a few

Posted by: bravoboy10 | June 16, 2009 at 08:50 PM

I think that the Rangers will win their division by at least 3 games and will make a pretty good acquisition at the trade deadline. But I feel that the biggest deal at the deadline will be a package of Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera heading to St. Louis. Don't know who the players will be heading to Oakland but the Cardinals will get Holliday and Cabrera, win their division, and after the season extend Matt Holliday to a 5 year/$60 million deal ($12 million per year). Holliday would absolutely love to hit behind the best player in baseball right now in Albert Pujols.

Posted by: Motley14 | June 16, 2009 at 11:19 PM

I can't understand why Ben Sheets would rush to sign and play this season?
Surely he'd be better off waiting until next off season and selling himself as fully healed?
When he is healthy(Which is a big IF) he is without doubt one of the better pitchers in baseball and with the upcoming weak FA market for pitchers next off season he could be the best option on the market ... if he can prove he is healthy.

ALSO if the Cardinals are going to be getting Holliday & Carbrera then St Louis fans should be worried because Beane doesn't mess around and ALWAYS comes out better in trades.
AND if you think Holliday is being signed for 5/60 you are kidding yourself ...even in a down market he is WORTH more than that I would have no problem paying Matt Holliday $16 mil per year he is in his prime, is actually playing good D this year and is steadily proving after a bad start that he isn't just a Coors product.
$12 mil a year...haha Jason Bay will get more than that and he is far less valuable than Holliday.
And surely if you had Pujols and Holliday in a line up Pujols would bat behind Holliday?

Posted by: OhPityMe | June 17, 2009 at 08:38 AM

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Daniels On Sheets, El Duque, Trade Deadline

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