Afternoon Bullet Points

by Jeff Sullivan on Aug 18, 2009 2:41 PM PDT in Miscellaneous

Anybody who's unclear on Ackley's contract situation should go read Dave's post on Major League deals. Basically, there's no reason for either party to be displeased.

Both John Smoltz and Vicente Padilla are currently free agents. I'd like to know why any team would choose to talk with the latter. Padilla's a worthless pile of crap who I have on good authority doubles as a crazy person. John Smoltz is a pretty decent pitcher with an awful ERA. Among 191 starters with at least 30 innings pitched on the year, here's where Smoltz ranks:

ERA: 189th
FIP: 130th
K/BB: 16th
LD%: 64th
Strike%: 19th
OSwing%: 2nd
FStrike%: 24th
OContact%: 83rd
ZContact%: 70th
Contact%: 46th

Smoltz isn't the same pitcher he's been in the past, and it would appear that, at 42, he's finally approaching the end of the line, but he's not there yet, and the only reason people think he is is because of lousy luck on balls in play and a couple extra outfield flies clearing the fence. He'll be a good acquisition for whoever hands him a pen. Padilla will not.

Through ten innings of work, Neftali Feliz has struck out 16 batters, walked none, and allowed zero line drives. His tRA is -0.02. You think the Rangers are glad they brought him up? I wasn't sure about moving him to the bullpen at first, but it would certainly appear that everyone's benefiting from the arrangement. Of course, the real test will come this offseason. From what I can tell, Texas has always intended to move Feliz back to the rotation after this stint in relief, but with the numbers he's putting up, they'll be under a lot of pressure from people who're sick of bad bullpens to make him a closer. As much as it pains me to say it, I hope they stick to their guns. Making Feliz a closer would worsen Texas' long-term outlook, but I would hate to see them deprive the world of the opportunity to watch this guy for seven innings at a time. He has the sort of stuff and explosiveness that transcends divisional rivalry.

Speaking of the Rangers, check out where they rank over the last 30 days:

Rotation FIP: 8th
Bullpen FIP: 4th

A pitching staff that used to look horrible has started to take shape, with Feliz helping to stabilize the bullpen and Millwood/Holland/Nippert/Feldman/Hunter taking over the starting five. It's not an excellent collection of arms, but it's a great deal better than what they started with, and though the temptation is to think that the Rangers are going to melt down, there's good reason to believe that what they're doing now isn't a fluke. You realize they're leading the Wild Card, right? Honestly, with the Yankees, Angels, and White Sox/Tigers looking like the rest of the playoff picture, I'm thinking that Texas is going to be my team of choice down the stretch. Feliz is awesome, the rest of the teams annoy me, and it'd be great to see some underdog slam the door in Boston's face.

A Texas/San Francisco World Series would make for wonderful TV. Of course, the Rangers would have to win seven more playoff games than they've won in the past to get there.

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Strasburg v. Feliz

The scouting reports on Strasburg are still otherworldly, but I just refuse to believe he’s better than Feliz. Ten recs says Feliz has the superior velocity and offspeed pitch next year.
As great as all of the reports on Strasburg’s velo are, he’s entering the period where his velo should decline. Not to mention going from pitching on 6 days rest to 4.

by marc w on Aug 18, 2009 2:50 PM PDT reply actions

I would bet that Strasburg's pRAA is better if they both start the season in MLB

by Graham MacAree on Aug 18, 2009 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Okee dokee. I'll take that bet.

by marc w on Aug 18, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Agreed about Feliz and the Rangers.

I hate Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, and Hank Blalock, but everyone else I am cool with. I would much rather see the Rangers win over those other teams which are stacked with many more douches.

by Wilder. on Aug 18, 2009 2:55 PM PDT reply actions

If it helps...

…most Rangers fans hate Hank Blalock too right now. I get the Michael Young hate (though he’s been good this year)…but what’s up with the Ian Kinsler hate? Just curious…

by GhettoBear04 on Aug 18, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions

He's friends with Kinsler.

I know that sounds ridiculous, but it is like Young has passed on his legacy to Kinsler. Kind of like anyone who puts on a Yankees or Red Sox uniform I immediately hate just because of association. Young’s mentoring of Kinsler associates them together even though they are no longer double-play partners.

Short version: irrational hate

by Wilder. on Aug 18, 2009 5:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I, uh, didn't know tRA even goes into the negatives.

by craig3410 on Aug 18, 2009 3:01 PM PDT reply actions

I thought that was a jokey exaggeration at first.

Fuck Anaheim.

by Eyeball Kid on Aug 18, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions

To hell with that,

I hope Feliz gets stuck in the bullpen.

by Matthew on Aug 18, 2009 3:11 PM PDT reply actions

I read "Padilla will not."

As “Padilla will not hand Smoltz a pen.”

I'm more like I am now than I've ever been.

by ralphie81 on Aug 18, 2009 3:12 PM PDT reply actions

Smoltz strikes me as the kind of guy who would probably lend you a pen, but he'd be pretty nervous about not getting it back.

by Teej on Aug 18, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I have no idea why but I completely agree.

by Zwakamatsu on Aug 18, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

The image of him standing with the tension lifting his shoulders

Constantly glancing over at his pen out of the corner of his eye is kind of amusing

by Kermit. on Aug 18, 2009 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I think I'd root for the Tigers ahead of Texas.

Fuck Anaheim.

by Eyeball Kid on Aug 18, 2009 3:32 PM PDT reply actions

While I'd be annoyed if the Rangers made a World Series before we did....

I would gladly adopt them as my team if it means Boston gets to sit home in October.

Is that the light at the end of the tunnel, or the headlights of an oncoming train?

by Benne on Aug 18, 2009 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

Considering the four expansion teams from the 90s have made the World Series already (3 wins),

there is no way I would be annoyed with Texas getting there before us. I am more annoyed at our own teams between 1995-2003 for not getting to the World Series.

by Wilder. on Aug 18, 2009 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions