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« Roy Halladay Rumors: Thursday | Main | Teams Interested In Johnson, Harris »
Orlando Hernandez Expected To Become A Free Agent
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says that the Rangers have told Orlando Hernandez that he will not be called up to the big leagues by Monday, which is when El Duque's out clause comes into play. Sullivan says Hernandez is expected to exercise the opt out and become a free agent.
In 11 innings with Triple-A Oklahoma City, all in relief, Hernandez allowed just four hits and four walks while striking out 12 . Sullivan says that he did not show enough velocity or command for the Rangers to think he's ready to pitch in the big leagues.
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If I never hear Bob Costas say "El Duque" again, it will be too soon. Something about it just annoys the crap out of me (even more than listening to Costas say anything else).
Posted by: Little Bear | July 16, 2009 at 07:27 PM
Silly move by the Rangers....it was never about velocity with El Duque. Bring him back to put when he is 60 years old and he will find a way to get you out.
Favorite El Duque moment was when he was on the White Sox in the playoffs and it was bases loaded nobody out and they brought him into the game and he struck out 3 straight hitters. This guy is the definition of clutch.
Posted by: yanks09 | July 16, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Alright, I'm completely biased when I say this, and I'll fully admit that I'm probably letting nostalgia get in the way here ... but I'd love for the Yankees to sign El Duque.
They could sign him to a contract with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and if someone goes down, provided his stuff improves while in AAA, they could call him up as backup, or even possibly send him up when the rosters expand.
Posted by: Counciltucky | July 16, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Alright, I'm completely biased when I say this, and I'll fully admit that I'm probably letting nostalgia get in the way here ... but I'd love for the Yankees to sign El Duque.
They could sign him to a contract with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and if someone goes down, provided his stuff improves while in AAA, they could call him up as backup, or even possibly send him up when the rosters expand.
Posted by: Counciltucky | July 16, 2009 at 07:29 PM
Rangers should send Eddie G down and bring him up to see if he has anything. They don't need Eddie and I'm sure they can find a moment to test out Orlando.
Posted by: Rett Davis | July 16, 2009 at 08:16 PM
Has it ever been about velocity? Hernandez is crafty. Not throwing 90MPH seems like a pretty lame reason for dumping him.
Posted by: bjsguess | July 16, 2009 at 08:20 PM
Now, we'll see what club is really desperate for pitching. The Twinkies fortunes magically took a turn for the good when they released this washed up BP thrower last year. He's like Robocop- he keeps getting killed, yet he keeps coming back!
Posted by: Tigerdog | July 16, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Tigerdog: Sorry, try again. That's LIVAN Hernandez. This is Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez.
I too want the Yankees to sign him, if only for sentimental reasons.
Posted by: Mr.S the Brutal | July 16, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Don't forget, they said he wasn't showing velocity *or* command.
Lose the first and you can be effective. Lose both, and you're hanging low-80s pitches over the plate.
Still, it can't hurt to take a look, if you're a contender. And we all know someone will.
Posted by: dan | July 16, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Gotta love selective reading. Dan hit it right on the head.
If you don't have velocity OR command, you've got nothing.
Posted by: Scorpion559 | July 17, 2009 at 06:38 AM
"Don't forget, they said he wasn't showing velocity *or* command.
Lose the first and you can be effective. Lose both, and you're hanging low-80s pitches over the plate."
Exactly. The Rangers are content to throw Guardado and his 80mph fastball on the hill every other night, but at least he puts it where he wants to more often than not. In fact, very few Rangers pitchers have high velocity with two or three exceptions (Wilson, Fransisco, maybe Padilla on a good day?).
Posted by: Drago | July 17, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Drago,
You missed Holland (94-97), Nippert (93-96), McCarthy (92-94,good day), and maybe Neftali with 98-101 here soon
Posted by: Rett Davis | July 17, 2009 at 12:58 PM