This weekend, the Rangers selected the contract of infielder Guilder Rodriguez, perhaps an unusual step for a 31-year-old who posted a .269/.347/.298 line in 349 plate appearances at Double-A Frisco this season. “This is a dream of every player,” says Rodriguez, via Dallas News’ Gerry Fraley. “Every single day when you wake up, you want this. I waited too many years, but I’m here now.” Rodriguez has unofficially mentored infield prospects like Rougned Odor and Luis Sardinas, and the Rangers hope he’ll keep helping youngsters after his playing career is over. Here’s more from around the American League.
- The Astros released J.D. Martinez in March, even though he wasn’t even on their 40-man roster at the time, but now he’s revived his career with the Tigers, Tyler Kepner of the New York Times writes. Martinez credits changes he made to his swing (lowering his hands and closing his stance) with helping him revive his career. He worked on incorporating those changes in Venezuela over the winter. The Astros noticed them, but weren’t sure Martinez would keep using them. Now, he’s hitting .304/.347/.542 in 401 plate appearances for the Tigers.
- The Rays’ lack of offense is the biggest reason they’ve struggled this year, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. In particular, they haven’t cashed in enough runners on base or hit enough home runs. They’ve also hit into too many double plays.
- The Rays have loved what they’ve gotten from Drew Smyly since they acquired him in the David Price deal in July, writes Topkin. “Outstanding,” manager Joe Maddon says. “His ability right now to get out righties, which had been a problem for him, really speaks to future success. I’ve just been totally impressed with everything about him. We all have.”
Zach Links contributed to this post.
In 4095 minor league plate appearances, Guilder Rodriguez has a .284 slugging percentage. I’m not sure why he thinks he “waited too long” to be called up.
I took it to mean that he thinks he should have retired long ago, instead of spending the last 5 years back and forth between the Rangers Double-A and Triple-A teams.
I suspect that he is just saying that he should have began a career as a minor league coach years ago, instead of plugging away hoping to finally get the call. It sounds like the Rangers are just rewarding a good organizational soldier by letting him spend a month in the major leagues. Next year, he’ll probably be a coach or scout in their system.
The Rays absolutely have to fire Shelton.
100000000% agreed! He’s the primary reason NOT ONE of the numerous young, talented players they’ve gotten over the years has developed as so many other teams do with their hitting stars! The Rays can develop pitching, probably better than any team in baseball, but they will continue to fall flat EVERY year since their offense can’t score more than 4 runs/game to support a pitching staff that has an ERA of about 3.50 (which is actually high for them)!
They will continue to battle with mediocrity & futility, and I’m a Rays fan saying this – time for upper management to step in & tell Joe that his buddy Shelton needs to go (and that he needs to display conventional wisdom in some of his management decision as well) – maybe take a shot at getting Wade Boggs back in the game (Tampa HS graduate & finished his career with the Rays, so why not give it a try; we know that man could hit!)…
I’m really happy to see JD Martinez doing well. He had some great moments with the Astros, but also a lot of mediocre and poor moments. That being said, I’m pretty tired of hearing everyone mention that the Astros cut him and now he’s great, yet no one mentions that Collin Mchugh has been as good, if not better, than JD this year and the Rockies cut him.
Also of note, JD was designated and went unclaimed, eligible for the Rule V draft and went undrafted, and when he couldn’t cut in ST, he was cut. It was only then that the Tigers took a shot at him. An kudos to them for that. JD has definitely made it worth their while, and I hope he continues to do so.