The Twins have decided to part ways with pitching coach Neil Allen, as La Velle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune writes. While Paul Molitor will remain as the manager after inking a new deal, the organization is now on the market for a new hand to guide the pitching staff. Minnesota is sure to enter the offseason in search of ways to boost the productivity of its rotation after a season in which only two starters (Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios) turned in high-quality overall campaigns. While others showed signs at times — Kyle Gibson finished strong, for example — there’s clearly room to improve through both new acquisitions and internal development.
Here’s more from the American League:
- In other Twins news, the organization does not presently expect Miguel Sano to require surgery to address his shin injury, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press reports. Though there have been some prior indications to the contrary, a surgical option would be an “extreme” measure and isn’t on the table at this point, per the report. Berardino adds that young reliever J.T. Chargois is also not under consideration for a surgical approach despite missing virtually all of the season due to elbow problems. You’ll also find some player reactions to the coaching staff decisions at the link.
- What can the Orioles expect from shortstop Tim Beckham in 2018? Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun takes an interesting look at Beckham’s two months in Baltimore, explaining that Beckham no longer consistently made high-quality contact and reverted to his high-strikeout ways after his outstanding performance in August. All in all, Meoli sees signs of optimism despite Beckham’s inconsistencies. For a team with other significant needs, especially in the rotation, there’s probably little choice but to roll with Beckham — whose deadline acquisition still looks like an excellent move — and hope for the best.
- Another organization that figures to focus on pitching this winter, the Rangers, need to add volume to fill out their rotation, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reasons. The club likely won’t have the cash needed to add impact arms and needs to account for many spots on its rotation depth chart, beyond the five pitchers that’ll start the year in the rotation. Grant’s discussion drives home the challenge facing the Texas front office and the many moving parts involved.
- Meanwhile, the Rangers have authorized southpaw Alex Claudio to play in the Puerto Rican winter league despite his heavy usage this year, as Gerry Fraley of the Morning News writes. Claudio has now established himself as a quality late-inning piece after turning in 82 2/3 frames of 2.50 ERA ball, with just 6.1 K/9 against 1.6 BB/9 but a dominating 66.7% groundball rate on the year. While GM Jon Daniels says the club was inclined initially to protect Claudio, he notes that the reliever has succeeded based upon a routine that has long included winter ball stints. This year, moreover, the devastation of Hurricane Maria has pushed back and shortened the schedule.
The Rangers are in serious trouble. No money to speak of. There minor league system can’t develop starting pitching. An overall minor league system that has been gutted of top tier talent due to trades in previous years. Holes to fill SP, SP, SP, RP, RP, RP, CP, 1B ( maybe Gallo), LF, CF, back up C, and someone who can play 3B when Beltre’s hammy go A-wall again).
Tear it down, and rebuild JD.
1B, LF, and C are filled from within. They might go after Cain, but I doubt he leaves KC. Gallo plays 3B if Beltre gets hurt again. Choo and Guzman would be considered at 1B of Gallo moves to 3B
Choo at 1B. That would be crazy. He is a defensive liability anywhere but DH (for obvious reasons).
Cain will get 3-5 years at good money. Money that the Rangers do not have. A return of Gomez on another short deal is much more likely than Cain coming to Arlington..
The rebuild has begun already. Lots of young starters on the field.
Exactly…..where is Yu…?
dont totally disagree, but i think you went a little overboard in how many relievers they need. Same with 1B, C, and LF
Probably so. But you can never have enough of them. As we found out last year, just because they were good 1 year, that doesn’t necessary mean they will be the same the next.
Rangers need a tear it down and gets a couple of top 5 picks.
Yeah, they need more Dillon Tate’s
Oh man thats a brutal reminder. They passed on Tucker, Benintendi, Happ and Buehler for Tate.
tbf, Tate isnt a bad prospect. Injuries happen, and his stuff is really good. The issue was drafting a reliever and trying to turn him back into a starter
Considering that he’s doing very well as a starter in the Yankees system, the real issue was that the Rangers decided to completely change his mechanics the day after they signed him and he suddenly lost six miles off his fastball.
The Rangers needs a new General Manger. A new staff and new players. When Nolan Ryan was there the Rangers was winning. Now since he left they have tanked. I say get rid of all the big contracts and start over from the top. Meaning Good-Bye John Daniels
You should look at when Nolan arrived at each organization and when the players contributing during the winning periods were obtained. You will find you are giving him way too much credit for each teams success. Part of Nolan’s brilliance is showing up to be a figure head when the heavy lifting was mostly done to rebuild each organization..
Love reading all these amateur GMs saying fire him, get rid of contracts–which are untradeable and waiving the players achieves nothing. Comment Board GMs, hilarious.
You have a track record of doing the same – ameteur GM’ing. No need to comment if you are not going to bring something value added to the conversation. You are not any better than anyone else, so get over yourself.
Beckham should be the least of our worries. Hardys production w the bat has been so bad the last couple of years it’d be hard for TB to not improve that even if he’s not the HR hitting stud he was when he came over. Plays good enough defense too. I didn’t like when we acquired him (before I heard the return) because he’s just another low obp high K guy that we have so many of. But, he’s the best cost effective SS the orioles are going to be able to have on their roster next year.
Why does everyone say the Rangers will have no money. Gomez 11.5,Darvish 11,Cashner 10,Napoli 6,Ross 6,Lucroy 5.2,Dyson 3.5,Jeffress 2.1,Barnette 1.75,Profar 1.1,Scheppers 975,000 that is 63 Million dollars off the payroll and there is 2.5 Million Buyout on Napoli and 250,000 on Barnette so it looks like even after raises to players in Arbitration they will have around 40 to 45 Million to spend. They could get Ohtani,Lynn,Mikolas and Chatwood for around 25 to 28 Million so they could have around 15 -20 Million to get a RH bat and a few relievers like Brandon Morrow,Matt Albers and Anthony Swarzak to name a few
Or an estimated 83 million tied up on 6 players (Hamels, Choo, Beltre, Andrus, Odor and Chirinos). It appears that the options on Perez and probably Barnette will be picked up at a cost of roughly 10 million. 2.5 million to buy out Napoli. So the Rangers will have roughly 95 million already committed, but this only covers 8 players contracts. Then arbitration and Super 2’s…. So we are looking at a payroll that is already Sitting between 105 to 115 million (depending on the arbitration cases), multiple key spots still need to be filled, and a overall payroll that is said to be about the same as last year (if not reduced a bit). All being said, sounds like they will only have 25-40 million available to fill out the remaining holes on this current roster.
Most gms would be happy with 25+mm to spend on free agents. Yankees, Blue Jays, Indians, Rangers, Astros, Mets, Cardinals, Dodgers last offseason is who I can think of. All with holes to fill. Top third in spending capacity’s not so bad.
25 mil is the price for 2 #4 starter and a decent reliever. Rangers need a little more than that.
Ohtani want be much the first few years get real expensive after that. Chatwood might get 2 years for around 6-8 Million per year and I think Mikolas would be 2 or 3 years at around 4-6 Million per. Lynn I think will get 3 years around 14-15 Million per year. So if you add it all up all 4 pitchers could be had for around 28 Million and that would be a decent rotation with Hamels,Perez,Ohtani,Lynn,Chatwood and Mikolas. Which everyone of Chatwood,Mikolas and Nick Martinez wins the 5 spot the other goes to bullpen the other to AAA first called up in case of injury. Make it happen JD