2011 MLB Offseason Discussion - Rangers choking edition

[Moss]

so many moles. what were scouts thinking?

[Bregor]

Just saw the Rockies inked Jamie Moyer to a minor league deal, lol. I guess they need someone to keep Todd Helton company when he tells 'Nam stories.

[Moss]

Moyer is still a project at this point

[Melena]

Add Lackey to that list. I hope Rangers fans get more for their posting fee than Sox fans did for Dice-k's posting fee.

I thought Dice-K had 1 or 2 decent years before his elbow and shoulder decided to implode on him during the WBC?

[Valisk]

I don't like this one bit. I would rather have had Fielder over Darvish. Ideally neither, but Fielder if one absolutely had to be on our roster. As if the "lol's" from the past 2 world series wasn't enough, I'm preparing myself if Yu turns out to be a bust. Could've been worse. I could've been a Cowboys fan. Oh wait...

[Bregor]

Could've been worse. I could've been a Cowboys fan. Oh wait...

I figured you forgot the NFL existed, you never post anymore.

[Jb1210a]

I thought Dice-K had 1 or 2 decent years before his elbow and shoulder decided to implode on him during the WBC?

I just remember all the hype and the "Gyroball." I believe it's hard to project how well a player will perform in the majors, he's going to cost them 111 million over 6 years, I don't care so much, but I don't think that money was well spent.

I also forgot about Dice-k's performance those first couple years, he was definitely decent.

[Valisk]

I don't know about you, but $18M/year for decent isn't smart business.

[Jb1210a]

I agree, which is why I added him in the first place, I was saying his first couple years were decent. Overall however, he hasn't been worth it, hopefully Darvish doesn't follow suit.

[Man0warr]

The Rangers front office has been scouting this guy for 5 years - the same front office that built a World Series contender during bankruptcy with smart trades, stellar farm system, and international scouting. I trust their decision making.

His worst year in Japan was better than Daisuke's best. He's younger, better build, and has work ethic. His pitching motion is also Americanized. He's not even full Japanese.

Dice-K was lazy and out of shape, that generally doesn't work for any pitcher except CC.

[Rhinox]

So yu telling me that yu is going to be the favorite to win the cyvp next year? Cause that's what they paid for. Anything short of 32 starts and 20 wins would be disastrous.

[Valisk]

I worry about the talent (or lack thereof) of the Japanese leauge the he put up those stellar numbers against vs the talent here. Let's face it, at $18M, he better be the #1 ace and on the level of a Verlander, Lincecum, Cliff Lee, Halladay, or Greinke and I just don't see that happening. I hope there's some language in his contract about a buy-out after year 3 if he gets injured or doesn't start more than 25 games per season, or pitch more than an average of 190 innings per season, or some shit.

[Man0warr]

You are looking at it wrong - that $50mil posting fee will be repaid in full before the years over in Texas Ranger #11 Darvish jerseys. This guy is on the level of LeBron, Rodgers, etc in Japan - his celebrity will bring tons of revenue for the Rangers. Not to mention any game he plays in here will sell out. The posting fee was just a business decision the Rangers owner's made. It basically assured that the Rangers would get the chance at locking up a pitcher in their prime from ages 25-31, which is pretty rare.

There's no salary cap in baseball so not sure why you as a fan are worried what the Rangers paid to get Darvish here, it's not your money.

For baseball purposes (trades, possible luxury tax, etc) Darvish is only making $10/year. Scouts have been watching this guy for years - they have graded him to have 4 Major League caliber pitches and 6-8 overall, though he'll probably cut some of them out of his repertoire. That projects him as a #1 starter, regardless of who he was facing - just based on the pitches alone, not the results.

So yu telling me that yu is going to be the favorite to win the cyvp next year? Cause that's what they paid for. Anything short of 32 starts and 20 wins would be disastrous.

Nah. For $10m /year the Rangers will be happy if he can get 13-15 wins and sub 4.00 ERA the first year. Obviously their scouts think he can be much more than that once he acclimates or they wouldn't have locked him up for 5 years - he also can't get that 6th year loaded payday unless he meets certain lofty goals.

[Valisk]

Not going to get into the posting fee argument with you.

There's no salary cap in baseball so not sure why you as a fan are worried what the Rangers paid to get Darvish here, it's not your money.

Really? That's about as terrible a defense as a professional sports player telling a critical fan that he [the fan] can't do the job any better.

[archibaldcrane]

Nah. For $10m /year the Rangers will be happy if he can get 13-15 wins and sub 4.00 ERA the first year.

Too bad they're paying an average of $18M a year to have him play baseball for them.

[Jb1210a]

The Rangers front office has been scouting this guy for 5 years - the same front office that built a World Series contender during bankruptcy with smart trades, stellar farm system, and international scouting. I trust their decision making.

His worst year in Japan was better than Daisuke's best. He's younger, better build, and has work ethic. His pitching motion is also Americanized. He's not even full Japanese.

Dice-K was lazy and out of shape, that generally doesn't work for any pitcher except CC.

Daisuke was 27 when he signed. He had the same fanfare surrounding his career in Japan as Ichiro and other talented Japanese players. His work ethic was also top notch and second to none. I'm not knocking the signing, I'm just saying, the amount of money spent to get him better return results relative to his salary, especially since he's been facing inferior competition in the Japan major leagues.

[Rhinox]

You are looking at it wrong - that $50mil posting fee will be repaid in full before the years over in Texas Ranger #11 Darvish jerseys. This guy is on the level of LeBron, Rodgers, etc in Japan - his celebrity will bring tons of revenue for the Rangers. Not to mention any game he plays in here will sell out. The posting fee was just a business decision the Rangers owner's made. It basically assured that the Rangers would get the chance at locking up a pitcher in their prime from ages 25-31, which is pretty rare.

There's no salary cap in baseball so not sure why you as a fan are worried what the Rangers paid to get Darvish here, it's not your money.

For baseball purposes (trades, possible luxury tax, etc) Darvish is only making $10/year. Scouts have been watching this guy for years - they have graded him to have 4 Major League caliber pitches and 6-8 overall, though he'll probably cut some of them out of his repertoire. That projects him as a #1 starter, regardless of who he was facing - just based on the pitches alone, not the results.



Nah. For $10m /year the Rangers will be happy if he can get 13-15 wins and sub 4.00 ERA the first year. Obviously their scouts think he can be much more than that once he acclimates or they wouldn't have locked him up for 5 years - he also can't get that 6th year loaded payday unless he meets certain lofty goals.

Psst.


Protip: the MLB has revenue sharing. They don't see a dime of jersey sales.

[Man0warr]

Psst.


Protip: the MLB has revenue sharing. They don't see a dime of jersey sales.

If they share revenue, they obviously see a dime.

It's mainly about filling up the new ballpark, especially in the summer. They get all that money.

[Rhinox]

My god....lol..

[archibaldcrane]

My god....lol..

You don't understand, the Japanese population in Dallas is going to come out in droves to support him, they'll fill up probably 4 rows of the stadium every 5th day he pitches! FULL!