Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - 278 | Texas Rangers | Profile & Projection

Episode Date: February 19, 2021

You guys ranked the Texas Rangers the #29 team in baseball. Jomboy, Jake, & Plouffe are previewing their 2021 season! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's team profile and projection time. It's the Texas Rangers. They were voted as the 29th or 28th. 29th. 29th place team by our audience. So they are the second team we do. I'm going to peel the curtain back right away. We recorded this episode and then they made like three more moves.

So now we're doing a second Texas Rangers team profile and projection. If you asked me if there was any team that I thought myself or Trev wanted to talk about twice, I would tell you it's probably not the Texas Rangers. So here we are doing it again. And I'm just full of energy. The Rangers finished last year with a 22 and 38 record. That's on pace. No collapse for that.

That's on pace for a 102 loss season, which would give them 60 wins. I don't know if they're going to do better or worse than that this year. But my name's Jimmy. I got Jake. I got Trev. I got BBD here. And Jake's going to tell you who changed. Who's gone?

And Jim, who's here? I got to tell you, man. I think we're going to see this a lot with some of the lower teams on the totem pole. And it makes sense. But man, they lost some show names. Lance Lynn,

Corey Klober, Elvis, Andrews, Shinsu, Choo, Dietrich, Danny Santana, even Jeff Mathis, some baseball fans' favorite. Who they added, Chris Davis came over in that Andrews trade.

Hopefully he can help out a little bit. Kohi Ara Harah, Dane Dunning and Fulte. So, hey, some chances there. David Dahl, Nate Lowe, Jonaheim, Drew Buterra, some catching options and friends. And Brock Holt actually just signed to hopefully be some utility. So, and part of the reason we're redoing this is some of these do. taste a little better than where we were with Texas the other day. But Trevor Plough, could you tell

me about this lineup, this built different Texas Rangers lineup? I mean, look, I'm going to try to give you the lineup. I don't think they know what their lineup is just yet. But we'll go down. Catcher Jose Trevino, great guy, great follow on Twitter, friend of mine. So I like him. But we also brought in some catchers talking about Drew Boutera, Jonah Heim coming in. Probably not settled the catcher position just yet. First base, like you mentioned, we brought in Nate Lowe. Second base is another kind of mystery. They have Nate Solick there.

They have Rugi, who we don't know what they're going to do with. And then also, as you mentioned, Brock Holt, he's looking to bounce around second base, third base. Shortstop, they're moving their gold glove, third base short, third baseman over to shortstop. That's Connor for Leffa. He's a good dude. I like him a lot. He was also a catcher. Do you guys know that?

I did. I did. I did. Okay. Third base, we're not sure what's going on. They got a prospect coming up. Josh Jung. They got Rugi.

They got Brock. It can be a lot of different guys at their base for them. And then we moved to the outfield. Left field, David Dahl, our boy from the Rockies coming over. Tough year in 2020. Looking for a bounce back here because he wasn't an all-star in 2019. Center field.

We got Lioti Tavaris. Right field, our guy, Joey Gallo. And then D.H., maybe some outfield as well. Former Dodgers top prospect, Willie Calh. who ex-te teammate of mine in AAA with the Rangers. So that's what they got going on. Like I said, it's not a set lineup,

set defensive plan, but we'll try to make sense of it for you. Rotations just as unset, Trev. We got Ghibi, our dude, our friend, we like him. Jordan Liles, they brought him over. We were very excited and interested in what their rotation was going to be last year with Kluber and Lance Lynn and Gibby and Lyle's. they might have four, like, established good guys.

Didn't incredibly pan out. I don't think it was on the pitcher's fault entirely. Whatever, they got Co-Coh-Hae. How you says? Co-Hara. I believe it's Arihara. Dane Dunning, they traded for. He's going to get shot in the rotation.

They bring over Fulte-Fulte-Newitch from Braves last year. He's over there. Colby Allard, West Benjamin made their debuts. They picked those guys up. So that's kind of what's going on in the rotation. There's a lot of arms there. And then in the bullpen, they got the clerk. They got our guy, Hearn.

Love him, the Hearn Hunge, and some other guys. It's not incredibly exciting. But that's who they got, Jake. Where do you want to go? Man, the Texas Rangers get a lot of emotions out of this podcast. I lived in the Big D for a couple years and enjoy the atmosphere down there. Trev feels,

didn't feel the love from the Texas Rangers still feels some sting there. I've been mad at this team for the past couple seasons. It just feels like with where baseball is at with free agency, this team could do so much more with its lineup.

It always felt like even in down Texas Rangers years that you were still going to run into a lineup, like you might have to win in a shootout and, you know, they might not pitch against you, but there was always going to be bats. I mean, going, you know,

Beltray Kinsler, however far you want to go back to him. Even the bad Texas Rangers teams could hit. This team has been awful, and the lineup still does nothing for me. I mean, I think the one thing that everyone here likes is the David Doll move. Like, you're taking a chance on a 26-year-old. It'll be a 27 soon, who was already an All-Star in this league. He's had a bunch of weird injuries. I mean, this seems like the guy that we should be...

And don't get me wrong, there's not a lot of David Dolls available, former All-Star Free Agents who are 26 years old. But these are the guys that Texas should be trying out. So, you know, it's fun that they're moving Isaiah Kiner-Falafo to shortstop. Let's see if he could pick it. They get low to play first base. Let's see if he's an MLB first baseman. Dahl.

You're looking around at some of the other stuff. I mean, Nick Solak, former Yankees farmhand, had a little bit of hitting. This lineup just needs so much more, and that's before we even get to the pitching, which I like taking a flyer on Jordan Liles as your fifth starter coming off a good time in Milwaukee. You don't like Jordan Liles coming into your, as your number two starter with his career five plus ERA. So, uh,

well, I want to go to Trev because Trev said that he had some positivity or some new thoughts on the Rangers, what they're doing. What do you got, Trev? Okay. I did. I had those feelings because I spoke to Gibby. I talked to Gibby about something else, and we started talking about his team.

I apologized. I said, look, man, I've been coming at the Rangers organization for a long time. It's a little bit of bias because of the way they treated me, but I also feel it's true that, you know, they're just not run well. Now, they brought in some new people, Chris Young, the new GM, got a new manager in there as of a couple years ago. But the guy running the show, John Daniels is the same guy. Now, Gibby told me that they think they can be really competitive this year, and then next year they think they're going to be in the thick of it. Now, so that got me optimistic, Jim. For those just listening, my jaw's on the ground.

Yeah. They think they can be competitive this year? Kyle Gibson likes his team. Well, yeah, him and the GM. But listen, I was optimistic until we started talking about it. They think they can be competitive this year? I think I'm back to where I was I mean yeah

I mean what makes them think that every team is going to say that but I don't think every team is going to say that I think we're in a very self-aware league these days like almost too self-aware maybe this goes back to my original point then they don't know what's going on

they're an organization yeah I think that they're they're pointing up for themselves but that's only in their head I don't I don't know I don't want to be too harsh on them because there are some good dudes on this team there are some good ballplayers on this team. And they have some good, you know, culture in the clubhouse.

But you got to be able to put wins on, you know, on the field. And I just, unless they do some more stuff and we have to record another one of these, it's going to be a tough year for the Texas Rangers. They haven't had a winning season in four seasons. And they're trading guys away. Yeah. They don't, that's very, they can't believe that. They're not acting like they.

think they're going to be good this year? You'd keep Lance Lynn if you thought you were going to be good this year. Well, the main point that I got from talking to him was that they really think that next year is going to be a year where they're in the thick of it. And that's so nice for Kyle because I want him to feel good throughout this season before he gets traded to a contender. I will. I think there might be some insight here on Gibby has two years left with the Rangers.

So they might be telling Gibby, like, we know you're only here for two more years. This year we might be competitive next year. You're going to be right in it. You got me fired up on the phone. Like I said, I'm sitting here talking to you guys and looking at all the numbers and the projected lineup and rotation, and it's really tough to see a path to anything.

You know, the Pocoda projection has them at 67 and 95. Damn good projection, Pocoda. I would say that's about right where I'm at. Here's what I will say. In the past few days, the reason why we have to redo this, they do the Chris Davis trade, which, hey, you know, The numbers in the past couple years haven't been great, but he's always a threat.

If he can find it a little bit and they find a spot for him in the lineup to protect Gallo, because that's all we're looking for. And maybe that should be if you're a Texas Rangers fan. Who can help Joey Gallo? Is it Willie Calhoun finding it? Is it Chris Davis finding a stroke? Is Nate Lowe the real deal? David Dahl, if he can be healthy.

Who can help support Joey Gallo? Because this is the guy that's supposed to be your face of the franchise, and now we're in kind of this weird middle area where he's, He's starting to get paid. Some of the stats last year didn't look great. Small season. Help him out. They brought in some veteran guys.

Jim, you've got a question. It's not a question. Oh, it's a statement. If you're leaving the Chris Davis stuff, I have a thought on that. Sure. The best thing that Chris Davis can do is play himself into a trade because everyone needs a power bat DH for some AL teams and contention. Okay.

And I think that's the biggest win they can get. I mean, they're shedding money, which is, again, not a team that thinks they're going to be competitive this year. So Gaby got lied to. But if Davis can, you know, bop, like a hot start, get to like 20 home runs by August 1st or something like that, and then be traded to a team that wants a power bat DH, and then the Rangers get another return.

I think I don't care how much he protects Gallo. I care how much he can get a return for them. If I'm a Rangers fan. do you think Chris Davis is going to give the salute? Do you think he's going to do that? Is he going to bring it to Texas? I'm a little, does he do that? He does that know about that.

Okay, he does the salute to the boys coming around third base. That's where the A's have their home dug out. He's got to change it up now because I think the Rangers first. Stan did the, when Junkroo, Stan rounds third, he gets the play action handoff from the third base coach. he did that in Miami as well did he bring it over Yeah but I think

Nevin was also his third base coach or something like that So I think like maybe not But he brought it over Well what side is home If you guys were at the World Series In Arlington who was the home team What side of first base

They uh Each team had their own dugout I'm not sure they switched You better make sure it's gone Each team had their own dugout Is what I remember Um Yeah man I don't know

I mean you could Jose Leclerc, Jonathan Hernandez, are a couple young guys in the bullpen, Taylor Hearn, or guy, maybe there's something there. But no, man, I mean, talk yourself into Fulti finding it, because he had a good season of Major League Baseball.

Dane Dunning, hopefully he can be a future party or rotation. Arihara, I didn't like his contract just because it seemed like they don't believe in him and they're just taking a flyer on him. I don't know, man. I mean, I'm... We'll watch on Gibby Days.

He's a friend. I want to talk about Josh Young again because the first time we've recorded this and now it's gone the waste. Josh Young is a prospect for them. He's really young. They say he may be able to come up and get some at bats in time. He's a college kid. So he's got experience. He did three years at Texas Tech. He's also a local Texas kid. Went to Texas Tech. Absolutely mashed in college. One dot OPS is his junior and senior year or sophomore junior year. I don't know. which one it is, maybe sophomore junior year. And then he was mashing in the minor leagues in 2019 as well.

And they project him to maybe come up and get some at-bats. And that's also exciting if you're a Rangers fan to be on the lookout for Josh Young. Josh Young and Lioti Tavares is batting leadoff, playing center field in theory. 22 years old, he's a top progress prospect in the organization, 60th overall. So, you know, you're getting yourself excited about Lioti Tavaris. Hopefully he can figure it out. If Gallo gets it back on Trafft, Kiner Filet-Fed shortstop, Willie Calhoun,

okay, you know, there are some young guys you can root for to Texas fans that you can hope going into 22 your front office gives you a little more to work with because let's come on. Treve, you know, I like to be, I think we started getting to Team 25 last year, and I was like, and it kind of was the Texas Rangers, and it's like, if everything works out, this could be fun.

If everything works out here, I still don't think it's fun. I think if everything works out, you're just trading a bunch of guys. I think you're just trading Davis, trading Gallo, or extending Gallo or trading Ghibi or, um, hell telling Josh Jung he's starting in the minor leagues. They already said that. He's going to be in AAA.

I did just look him up. Well, that's correct. I don't, I didn't think he was going to make the roster. I just think it's going to be exciting whenever he does break through. Can I tell you some about Josh Young? Yeah. Is it young or Jung?

I think it's young. I think it's young. whatever. But people call him Junger, for sure. Yeah. Great, great neck. You guys are talking about necks. Oh, somewhere I saw.

That was talking about Yanks episode. We were talking about necks. Yeah, really nice neck on Josh, which makes me think, hey, I'm excited about this guy now. Now, if Josh has a 10 out of 10 neck, what would you give my neck? No, you don't have a good neck. You're a six. Okay. That's awesome.

Let's go. Oh. Oh, I see what Treves going from there. Yeah, right? Like, you don't know what, you don't know how to describe a good neck, but when you see it, you're like, damn, that's a nice solid neck. Well, that's what I was wondering. That's a powerful neck.

Yeah. That looks like some. It has the length as well. It's not just girth. That looks like some people's thigh. It also, wait, you know, because sometimes Brett Gardner's neck is wider than his face and that always looks weird. This, uh, I think he, if I think a beard would really help this neck out on Josh Young.

Just to separate the face from the neck a little bit. Just a little stubble. So anything else we got? We love Hearn. Watch him. If he hits 100, you get 100 cents off a shirt at the store. Jose LeClerc. Hey, maybe he goes, balls out again, and that could be a trade option for this team.

Like an impact trade option for this team. But yeah, man. No. One last tidbit. The Gibby gave me. He said if unless Drew Buterra makes the team, shout out Drew Bueheterra. We love you so much. Gibby will be the oldest person on this team.

Some heavy shower thoughts for Gibby. He was the 27-year-old prospect with the twins. We used to make fun of all the time. And now all of a sudden he's the veteran, the wily vet that's been around forever. So, congrats, Gibby. I think it's a special day when you're the oldest person on a team. That's kind of cool.

It means something. I get what you're saying there. Take a look at my life. I'm a lie like you. All right. So we have our over-under that we need to set. Wait, what was Max's fun fact about this team? Did we read that?

Max's fun stat and Max is our researcher here talking baseball. Right fielder Joey Gallo led all of them all be an average launch angle per batted ball in 2020 per baseball. Savant. The gap between first and second, which was Gallo and Jose Ramirez, was the same as the gap between second and ninth, which is Ramirez and Matt Olten. So Joey Gallo led by a lot in long. launch angle last year. How about this? Find out if Joey Gallo is a stud, which I do think he is, and then lock him up long time.

That's a good goal for Rangers fans this year. I said trade, and I'd rather them lock him up. And he part of the next one. Make him part of your cornerstone. Yes. So we did this. I don't know if we did it on this one. We did it on the tigers or the pirates, but I do like this format of ceiling in the division.

Like I think we landed that we don't think this team can get third. We think their ceiling is fourth. But I think maybe third. No. Because I did angels. Don't ever count. No, the angels. Don't ever count the angels out.

Man, I think you look at this roster versus the Angels roster and it's like shocking. Oh, my God. It's two different. Yeah, I agree. I agree. Yeah. Normally I know what you're going for.

We'll call it the Mets effect because that will get me more Mets fans in my DMs, but it's the, what does your roster look like compared to your team's reputation? And Texas, again, you just... All right, so their ceiling is fourth place in the division. Who's the second best player on this team? Flafa. That's funny that you ask that question.

Yeah, I mean, you'd have to say him, right? You got Gallo and then him, and then you're looking at like, Gibby Willie Calhoun? Yeah. All right. Second best player on the Angels is Rendon. Pocoda has the over under at 67. Do we want to use Pocoda until the betting ones come out?

I love Trevi Pocoda. Yeah, sure. 67 wins. Over under. 67. So how many losses is that? I'm going to go slightly over because I don't think the division is as good as it has been. I think there'll be a little bit more parity in there.

So I'm going to say they'll probably get, I'd give him like, I give them 70 wins. The West plays the West this year. So they got to play the Dodgers and the Padres. They got to play the Diamondbacks and the Rockies. They're just as bad as those teams. Those are battles. I think I'm going to use Treves.

Trev's same theory, but against him is that I think the Angels, Astros, and A's are all in it this year, which those teams might even boost themselves a little more around the deadline. I'll take the under. I was going to use the same exact reasoning. Like the last two months for the Rangers might... You think it's just going to go bad.

Well, it might be tryout season, trade season. We don't give a fuck season. Who cares? If Gibby wasn't on this team, I would say they're going to lose 100 games, but I'm praying for my boy here. Love that. That is nice of you. I love that.

Gibby, going... slightly over the 67 wins. Go win 17 this year, Gibby. I'm bringing pitchers wins back. Oh, you are? Take that, nerds. Wow. I like pitchers wins.

I like, and pitchers love pitchers wins, just everyone knows. My goodness. That's a good, that's a good, bad shirt. Pitchers love pitchers. Pictures. Love pitchers wins. Oh, my gosh. They love it.

I mean, pitchers love pitchers. Another, another good bad shirt. That's a good one. I was trying to see when they play the Dodgers. They don't play the Dodgers to the very end of the season, it looks like. Oh. They played the Padres right away. Unless I just blanked on it.

And again, I don't care. Before we go, can I get a thumbs up, thumbs down from each of you on like those new look unis, the baby blues, the new Nike uniforms? I thought theirs were some of the most drastic changes. Thumbs up, thumbs down on three. One. I got to look at them. Okay. This is specifically the Rangers, Baby Blue, MLB.

Oh, like Cluber wore them in its. is the one inning he pitched for them. Thumbs up. I like Baby Blue. It's getting a little oversaturated, the baby blues. But I do like Baby Blue. Trev's thumbs down. Trev's Thumbs Down guy.

I'm a little thumbs down because there's just too much baby blue going on in baseball right now. But I do like the way they did it for the most part. Yeah. I mean, they have like old uniforms, like the Old Rangers uniforms from the 70s or 80s that were Baby Blue. So they're allowed. When you have like it in your history, you're allowed. It just doesn't scream Texas to me. That's soft-cally stuff right there.

That's very fair. That's very fair, Trev. That's a very apt point. It's an interesting angle. Baby Blue does not scream Texas. Maybe some blood stains and some shit stains. We'll get you there. What if they all had shit stains?

All right. Thank you guys very much for tuning in. We will be back tomorrow with another team. Profile and Projection, the most creative name, and all of many episodes across. land.