Photo credit: Fantasyknucleheads.com

The Rangers and Matt Harrison have agreed to a five year, $55 million contract with an option for a sixth year. The 2018 is an option that can possibly vest.

“Harrison gets a $1 million signing bonus and annual salaries worth $5 million, $8 million, $13 million, $13 million and $13 million. The club option is $13.25 million but can escalate to $15.75 million. The club holds the option, with a $2 million buyout, but it becomes a vesting option if Harrison works 200 innings in each of the final three years of the deal.” [via Jeff Wilson, Fort Worth-Star Telegram]

The left-hander posted an ERA of 3.29 in 2012 for the Rangers, in 213.1 innings pitched over 32 starts. He has been an important part in the rotation, pitching 185.1 innings in 2011. Drafted by Atlanta he was traded to Texas as part of the Mark Teixeira-trade that sent the first baseman to the Braves.

The extension will buy out 3 years of his free agency. The Rangers now have Harrison, Darvish, Holland signed thru ’17, Holland ’18, Ogando ’16. This is what Jon Daniels and company call ”sticking to the plan.”

Last offseason the Rangers also inked Ian Kinsler to an extension thru ’17, as the club continues to identify it’s core moving forward.

(Image via flickr.com user Rich Anderson.)

My fire Ron Washington website was going to be up soon but with the Indians hiring Terry Francona over the weekend, it looks like that’s going to have to wait a little while.

But regardless many changes are going to be blowing in the Rangers camp this offseason between free agents, trades, released and maybe possible coaching and manager changes. Many players and coaches you may have seen the last of in a Rangers uniform.

“NO SERIOUSLY, RON WASHINGTON WOULD LIKE HIS PANTS BACK, YOU GUYS.” – Jay Jaffe [Sports Illustrated] via Twitter

This has been a terrific run from 2009-2012 for this group. The last four years have been fantastic for Rangers fans. Did fatigue play a part? Did Washington play his regulars too much? Did the front office not give the coaching staff a good enough bench to give the regulars time off? A quick look at what I think fatigue played a huge role:

Let’s look at the core players for example. Here are their games played in 2012 and the games they didn’t play in the final months of the season. Players will tell you they get off days [but only four the last ten weeks] on the schedule and they want to be out there every day and they played in two straight full Octobers. Here’s a look:

» Continue reading “GASSED And Look For A Very Busy Rangers Offseason”

I miss the happy Texas Rangers.

Today, I was supposed to be getting ready to go to a game at RBiA to see the Rangers play. Instead I’m sitting at work and trying to figure out what I’m going to have for dinner tonight.

It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Over the next few months, I expect to see a lot of changes in the makeup of the Texas Rangers. A few of the key players for this team over the past few years are free agents (i.e. Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli, among others). Along with the possibility of not resigning at least one of those two, I expect a few trades. I think they need some new blood in the clubhouse that isn’t bitter or beaten down about the past couple of postseasons.

This team needs to start over.

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: Let’s Beat A Dead Horse!”

The Texas Rangers hosted the Baltimore Orioles for the first ever 1 game, AL Wild Card playoff game at the good ol’ temple in Arlington. So, here’s the deal…I’m not really sure where I want to take this recap because of all the feelings and emotions rolling through my alcohol feeling fingers. So, this will be all over the map and pretty much, PG.

On one hand,  I’m kind of thinking I should put as much effort into this recap as the Rangers offense displayed for tonight’s game, and the last few games. And on the other hand, maybe I should dominate it like Yu Darvish almost did tonight. Almost. I just don’t know where to take it, but it’s going to be all over the freaking place…

Here’s the recap…The Texas Rangers welcomed the Baltimore Orioles to the ball park for the first ever 1 game wild card playoff game. The Rangers sent Yu Darvish to the mound while the Orioles provided Joe Saunders as fish bait to the Rangers. Joe Freaking Saunders! JOE MOTHERF-ING SAUNDERS! The same guy who has been terrible in Arlington. TERRIBLE!

Oh, but wait…the Rangers can make anyone terrible turn to gold, and Saunders was GOLD while going 5.2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 1 earned run, and striking out 6. He would induce one too many double plays and eventually get the win. Meanwhile, the Rangers left their enthusiasm and offensive skills somewhere to be found at a later date.

I don’t really want to recite all the scoring, bullshit, missed 0pportunities, 1st pitch swings, post game biblical quotes, etc, so I’ll just say this…The final score was Baltimore 5, Rangers 1. The Orioles move on and the Rangers set up tee times, and Darvish gets the loss and Saunders gets the win…nice work Buck!

Here is what I did like about the game tonight…Yu Darvish was great even though he did get the loss. He pitched 6.2 innings, which in my opinion, was not enough time on the mound. The old school brother pulled him a little too early. But during his time on the bump, Darvish gave up 2 earned runs while striking out 7.

I also liked that the weather was beautiful tonight at the ballpark and the beer was cold.

And last but not least, expect this team to look completely different next season. I know that’s common sense, but it should be noted.

Go Rangers! 2013!

I don’t really have much to say this morning except that I’m crazy excited about the game tonight. Yu Darvish vs Joe Saunders. In Arlington. For a trip to the ALDS to take on the Yankees. WOO!

So in honor of tonight’s Wild Card Playoff game, I leave you with this, my favorite GIF of the week…

Instead of being all doom and gloom, I’ve decided that I (and probably many other Rangers fans) need to change my attitude.

1.  The Rangers are going to the playoffs for the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW.

2.  The Rangers finished the 2012 season with 93 wins, tied for the 3rd best record in the AL.

3.  They are facing the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card game.  This year, the Rangers have gone 5-2 against the O’s and have outscored them 56-24.

4.  Yu Darvish will be taking the mound for the Rangers.  If you have been paying any attention, you know that Darvish has been one of our best starters this year.  An overall ERA of 3.90, a winning percentage of .640 and those 221 strike outs should excite you.

5.  The O’s, on the other hand, will be sending out either Steve Johnson or Joe Saunders.  The Rangers have had a lot of success against Joe Saunders.  He also has a career ERA of 6.48 against the Rangers and a 9.38 ERA in Arlington.  The Rangers have only seen Steve Johnson once in a relief appearance.  The rookie Johnson has gone 4-0 in 2012 with a 2.11 ERA with only 4 starts.  (And the 90210 fan in me will collective just refer to them as Steve Sanders because yeah…)

6.  The boys will be coming home to Arlington for the game on Friday.  Hi, home field advantage.

Friday, Oct. 5, 2012. 7:30pm CT.  It’s on.

Angels 5, Rangers 4

In a moment more ominous than any moment in which Robert Mitchum appears on screen in The night of the Hunter, the Angels Torii Hunter hit a two out double in the top of the ninth off Joe Nathan. The night of the hunter is “culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant.” In the same way Rangers wasted a start by Yu Darvish in the first game of what is a crucial double header.

The Rangers jumped on top 2-0 on a Nelson Cruz home run in the second and through three innings were up 4-1 with help from a wind blown pop up double by Hamilton. The Angels rallied with single runs in the sixth and seventh. The one in the seventh coming off the best player in baseball this year, Mike Trout. It was the first HR allowed by Darvish since August 17th. Trout is only the third player to have 30 HR and 48 steals in a season. Eric Davis of the Reds in 1987, had 37 home runs and 50 steals and Barry Bonds in 1990 had 33 home runs and 52 steals.

Before the game Mike Adams was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and will rest the next 7-10 days. It is likely he won’t pitch again this season. This seems to be a thing with Ranger players, the most recent to be diagnosed is Matt Harrison but Hank Blaylock and Kenny Rogers have as well, going back a little further.

On Deck Game Two 6:05PM

I missed you, Yu. (Image via flickr.com user mikelachance.)

In what was supposed to be a very exciting Yu Darvish start, Rangers fans were given Scott Feldman instead.  Can you say let down?  Darvish apparently had some neck stiffness and the Rangers weren’t taking any chances.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m fine with Scooter.  In fact, I think he’s pitched way better than people probably expected once thrown into that starters role earlier this year.  I don’t have a beef with Scooter.

What is upsetting was that if the Rangers won tonight, Yu Darvish would have been only the 2nd rookie in the past 100 years to have 17 wins and at least 214 Ks.  The only other rookie to achieve that feat was Dwight Gooden back in 1984.  Guess Rangers fans will have to wait longer…

Anywho…  Feldman was just eh.  Given a 2-run lead in the bottom of the first, Scooter started out the 2nd by walking 2 of the first 3 batters he saw.  A double later and the A’s were within 1.  A solo shot in the 4th by Chris Carter would tie things at 2′s.  Feldman would only last 4 innings.

» Continue reading “Scott Feldman, Not As Exciting As Yu Darvish”

(Image via Keith Allison.)

Rangers 3, Angels 1

Darvish continued his streak of great games, going eight innings, allowing only four hits, giving up one run, walking only one and striking out nine. Darvish now looks like the ace the Rangers thought they were getting from Japan this offseason. Darvish killed the Angels with his cutter. Of his 108 pitches, half were cutters (season high 54). 39 of them (72%) were strikes. 10 whiffs.
Also as a frame of reference, that gives Darvish a 13.5 SO/9 rate in innings 7-9. Verlander has a 12.1 SO/9 rate in innings 7-9 this year.

Joe Nathan pitched an uneventful ninth inning giving up only a two out hit.

The Rangers took a 1-0 lead on Soto’s sac fly in the fifth. The Angels tied it in the bottom of the sixth on a Torii Hunter single. Then in the ninth, Young lead off with a single off Frieri and the next batter Beltre hit an off speed pitch into the left field stands for his 34th home run to decide the game.

Another series win for the Rangers, who have lost only two since the All-Atar break.

On Deck Seattle Mariners

LH Martin Perez [1-1, 3.38 ERA] v. RH Hisashi Iwakuma [6-5, 3.39 ERA]

The Rangers did what they needed to do by beating the mighty Mariners 9 to 3. Yu Darvish pitched 7 super strong innings while striking out 9 batters and he looked dynamite in a hello kitty sexual way the entire evening.

Ian Kinsler started the offense engine off with a lead off dinger – his 6th lead off shot of the year. And not to be outdone by Kins, Josh Hamilton decided to hit a monster shot in the 3rd inning, and he landed it somewhere in Oklahoma.

The offense engine hit full throttle in the 8th and decided to score an additional 7 runs, which basically tucked the Mariners in bed and wished them a good night.

Koji Uehara followed Darvish and had another strong outing striking out 2. Michael Kirkman thought it would be funny to tease the Mariners one last time in the 9th by giving up 2 earned runs, but he would quit fooling around and finished them off for good.

Go Rangers!

T’s Game Notes and Observations

• Darvish reached the 200K mark on the year during the game. He has 205 now.
• It was good to see Adrian Beltre and Hamilton playing tonight.
• I think I set a new personal record by changing 7 dirty diapers during the game.
• I had no idea that Ron Washington was the player who followed Cal Ripken, Jr at shortstop when Cal finally decided to take a seat on the bench. I hope I heard that correctly on the broadcast.