[討論] RANGERS MAILBAG By JEFF WILSON (Thu, May. 08, 2008)
RANGERS MAILBAG: Talking Nelson Cruz, Kevin Millwood
and Jarrod Saltalamacchia
By JEFF WILSON jwilson@star-telegram.com
The Rangers’ offense needs as much punch as possible, and Nelson Cruz has some
of the best stats in all levels of baseball at the moment.Why can’t the
outfield be David Murphy, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz with Frank Catalanotto,
Marlon Byrd and Milton Bradley rotating as the fourth guy and DH? — David,
Madison, Wis.
The Rangers’ front office, i.e. Jon Daniels, has taken notice of Cruz, whose
Triple-A numbers (.359, 11 HR, 32 RBI) are difficult to ignore. But he won’t
take the place of Bradley, who has solidified the cleanup spot. Catalanotto
will be at first when Byrd comes of the disabled list.
Adding Cruz, who was given the chance to impress last season, would also
require clearing a spot on the 40-man roster. He might be in Oklahoma for a
while.
Would anyone take Kevin Millwood at the trading deadline and could the Rangers
get anything of future value for him? I just don’t see any fire in the guy. He
looks as though he is just collecting his check every month and waiting for the
next one to arrive. — Cash, Austin
Surely, a team would take Millwood, but there’s no problem with him. Millwood’
s past two starts haven’t been pleasing, but he and Vicente Padilla held the
pitching staff together in April. Millwood could easily have three more
victories. There’s plenty of fire left in his tank — consider his off-season
regimen as an example — and he can be a mentor to young starters the Rangers
hope to develop the next few seasons.
With Jarrod Saltalamacchia called up, he will see about half of the catching
duties. But will he see much time on top of that at first base and/or DH? Also,
what do you see for his stats this season? — Craig, Hoboken, N.J.
General manager Jon Daniels has been adamant, so has manger Ron Washington,
that Saltalamacchia will not play first base. That’s been the company line
since the off-season. But he might DH some, as he did Monday against the
Mariners. Saltalamacchia’s production should increase once he falls into the
rhythm of playing two on/two off. His average and on-base percentage should
improve over his 2007 numbers.
Why was relief pitcher Dustin Nippert picked up and put on the Opening Day
roster when the Rangers have comparable, if not better, pitchers in the system?
— Steve
Even Nippert has admitted that he was terrible with the Diamondbacks during
spring training, and he’s been mostly iffy with the Rangers. But the scouts
loved him two and three years ago and believe they might strike on a bargain if
he can regain his form. He had a good showing last week in a rehab stint for
Triple-A Oklahoma and won’t be discarded just yet.
Arlington Stadium and Bobby Valentine. And yet I have never been so apathetic
and disappointed with the Rangers organization as I am now.
I blame management, and particularly Tom Hicks, for the sorry state of this
franchise. Handing the reins to a still wet-behind-the-ears 28-year-old two
years ago sounded like a hare-brained idea. Now we know for a fact that it was.
This is the season that will make me walk away from the ranks of the faithful.
How long do the Rangers have a right to expect the fans to ante up for the
ever-rising ticket prices and show them nothing in return? — Julian, Fort Worth
Julian, brother, many other readers have had the same reaction. Jon Daniels has
had a good year, even if the big-league product hasn’t met fans’ demands. He
believes that winning seasons are ahead, and the success of the minor-league
clubs is supporting him right now. How long until the prospects are ready? Two
more years.
Ticket prices go up just about everywhere, but, as tough as it might be to
believe, a recent study showed that the Rangers have some of the cheapest
tickets in the majors.
Hang in there, Julian.
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