The Officially Official Off Season Thread (2016)

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Bizarre, near-death traffic accident left Rangers catcher Chris Gimenez relieved to just make it to spring training alive | SportsDay

Chris Gimenez starts spring training with a chance to open the season as the Texas Rangers' back-up catcher. For now, he is happy to be healthy and alive.

According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, Gimenez was recently caught up in a bizarre road accident. Gimenez was stuck in traffic exiting a freeway in the Reno area when a snowplow hit a 36-pound drain gate, sending it flying. The dangerous object crashed into the cab of Gimenez' truck.

"It sounded like a cannon went off,'' Gimenez told the newspaper. "All of a sudden glass is flying through the cab of my truck. I just instinctually ducked.

"If my truck isn't lifted, I'm done. If I'm five feet further back, I'm screwed. What if that would have been the way I would have gone out? That wouldn't have been cool.''

 

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Glad to see our young prospects are fired up.

 

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Latest On Orioles' Pursuit Of Yovani Gallardo, Dexter Fowler

We checked in earlier today on the Orioles’ efforts to make some late additions of qualifying offer-bound free agents, as reports have suggested continued optimism that Baltimore will finalize a deal with righty Yovani Gallardo. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com hears much the same (links to Twitter), and adds that the O’s are “confident” they’ll land outfielder Dexter Fowler as well.

 

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Rangers Monitoring Market For Outfielders

It’s interesting to wonder to what extent the Rangers would prioritize the addition of a center field-capable player. After all, as Sullivan notes, some combination of Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Rua (from the right side) and Joey Gallo, James Jones, or even Ike Davis (from the left) could potentially form a platoon in left if Hamilton misses time. Meanwhile, a potential partner for Delino DeShields Jr. wouldn’t be the worst idea, with only the unproven Jones representing an in-house candidate for that role. Both De Aza and Venable could present such an option.

 

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Happy New Year's guys.

 

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[BULLPEN FAILURE]

Happy New Year's guys.

View attachment 89898

Happy New Year. | Texas Rangers Blog | The Newberg Report

 

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Welcome to the 2016 season, gents.

 

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Sherrington: If aging Rangers really want to stick it to rival Astros, they have to win now | SportsDay

Another article about how much better the Astros are going to be than the Rangers for several years. Sherrington uses the "logic" that since our young players are still prospects that they can't be as good as the Astros young players. I would love to revisit this article in 3 or 4 years.

 

[jta4437]

Rangers Monitoring Market For Outfielders

It’s interesting to wonder to what extent the Rangers would prioritize the addition of a center field-capable player. After all, as Sullivan notes, some combination of Justin Ruggiano and Ryan Rua (from the right side) and Joey Gallo, James Jones, or even Ike Davis (from the left) could potentially form a platoon in left if Hamilton misses time. Meanwhile, a potential partner for Delino DeShields Jr. wouldn’t be the worst idea, with only the unproven Jones representing an in-house candidate for that role. Both De Aza and Venable could present such an option.

Still don't know why they don't consider Ruggiano an option in CF, he's a better defender than Jones in CF

 

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Still don't know why they don't consider Ruggiano an option in CF, he's a better defender than Jones in CF

I think in this particular article they were looking at a possible platoon mate for Delino. Ruggy bats right as well so they were wondering if the Rangers might want a lefty in CF to pair with Delino.

 

[donaldson79]

Well, to be fair, Elvis did show up early as well if that is what we are going on to show leadership.

It's certainly a decent sign, but let's hope it's not the only one.

 

[donaldson79]

Still don't know why they don't consider Ruggiano an option in CF, he's a better defender than Jones in CF

I'm only guessing, but maybe it's b/c Ruggie hits RH and Jones is a lefty.

 

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Rangers announce new fan safety plans for 2016 at Globe Life Park

No issue with this whatsoever. Lots of crybabies on the Rangers Facebook page about it though.

 

[Justinkm83]

It sure is. Now, if we can get EA to follow-suit, we may just be on to something.

I think this is EA's last year as a Ranger, unless he just has a terrible year.

 

[romeo212000]

Rangers announce new fan safety plans for 2016 at Globe Life Park

No issue with this whatsoever. Lots of crybabies on the Rangers Facebook page about it though.

I personally don't like it, but it's not a big deal to me.

 

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The 30: Preseason MLB power rankings

Apparently SI has the Astros as the top team in the AL and at #3 overall. Our beloved Rangers are #7 overall (#2 in AL).

 

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