NewsInbox: Will Rangers re-sign Byrd?
Beat reporter T.R. Sullivan answers Rangers fans' questions
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
08/24/09 10:38 AM ET
I love to watch Marlon Byrd play. This guy reminds me of a throw-back player.... no flash, just good, hard-nose baseball. Now to my question: Will the Rangers re-sign him for next year?-- Kenny M., Muskogee, Okla.
The Rangers, without going into his long list of exceptional attributes, need Byrd for next year. They have five players marked for three outfield and one designated hitter spot: Josh Hamilton, David Murphy, Nelson Cruz, Julio Borbon and Byrd. It's an excellent -- very athletic -- group and Cruz and Byrd are the only right-handed hitters in the bunch. The Rangers want to re-sign Byrd but this is also his big chance for a future-securing contract. The economics could be difficult.
Getting Ivan Rodriguez is great for the fans but the Rangers gave away two Minor League players and now they tell us that Jarrod Saltalamacchia will be back by the beginning of Sept. 1. Did the Rangers overreact in acquiring Rodriguez?-- Paul F., Fort Worth
Saltalamacchia has Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. They are hoping it's a mild case and Saltalamacchia will not require surgery, but under no circumstances could they take it for granted. They could not afford to leave themselves exposed at a critical position down the stretch.
With the way Chris Davis is doing in Triple-A, how long do you think it will be before he's called back up?-- Cody A., San Angelo, Texas
Davis will be activated Tuesday in New York and is expected to play regularly at first base.
With the Rangers calling up and sending down Guillermo Moscoso so many times, it worries me that we will lose him because he will run out of options. Is this even a concern of the Rangers?-- Drew T., Plano, Texas
Every player gets three options but you only lose one per year no matter how many times you are sent up and down to the Minors.
All we've heard for three years now is that Julio Borbon will be the one to move Josh Hamilton to RF. Now he's the worst fielder on the team? What gives?-- Cameron P., Wylie, Texas
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Borbon has superb physical talent but is a little raw on the skills side when it comes to playing the outfield. You have to understand that manager Ron Washington has high standards when it comes to playing defense. So Borbon and outfield coach Gary Pettis are going to do some extra work and that's only a good thing.
With no clear-cut Rookie of the Year in the AL so far, would you say that Elvis Andrus or Derek Holland could make a run at the award? Elvis is starting to swing the bat more consistently and Holland has shown incredible improvements over his last few starts.-- Dave S., Fort Worth, Texas
There is no doubt that Andrus is a top candidate for Rookie of the Year. Among position players, he is the only AL rookie with enough at-bats to be listed among the batting leaders. However, that is not a prerequisite for the award and Gordon Beckham and Matt Wieters will get consideration. But the pitching competition is much stiffer and Holland's competition among the starting pitchers include Jeff Niemann, Rick Porcello and Ricky Romero.
In my opinion, the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year is Oakland reliever Andrew Bailey, but the award could very well be decided by September performance.
How do this year's attendance numbers compare to the last couple of years for the Rangers?
-- Jake L., Houston
The Rangers are up about 3,700 fans per game over last year. When you have an unexpectedly outstanding season on the field, the real attendance bump comes the following season.
Troy Tulowitzki hit for the cycle with a little help from some outfield throws. He seemed slow. Who is the slowest guy you have ever seen hit for the cycle?-- Creighton B., Garland, Texas
First basemen Mark Teixeira and John Mayberry Sr. both did it but how about catcher Carlton Fisk, who was 36 when he hit for the cycle in 1984?
Are the Rangers going to stay on FSN Southwest? That's about the only way we can watch them in Tulsa.-- Betty W., Tulsa, Okla.
Yes. Most Rangers games will be on FSN Southwest next year.
Could you give us a new time frame for Thomas Diamond? I just hope he stays strong and fights through this because he has fabulous stuff?
-- Matt F., Houston
Diamond should be a serious option for the Rangers' bullpen next season but he needs to refine his command. He is striking out 9.4 batters per nine innings this season in the Minors and that is very good. But he is walking 6.8 batters per nine innings and that's way too high.
What are the fewest pitches thrown in a complete game if theoretically one could be pitched in 27 pitches?-- Jeremy H., Mesquite, Texas
Not sure, but Kevin Brown, back in 1990, once threw a four-hit shutout over the Twins in 79 pitches. Greg Maddux, while with the Braves in 1997, needed just 78 pitches in a complete-game win over the Cardinals. Bob Tewksbury once had a 75-pitch complete game. Tough to find one lower than that.
I'm curious if the Vicente Padilla dump was purely a Jon Daniels move, or was there any pressure from Tom Hicks? I'd hate to think the move was colored by cost-dumping motivations?-- Arfeo Y., Houston
Padilla's contract was guaranteed. That means the Rangers had to pay his salary regardless. There were no cost-dumping benefits involved for the owner.
Have you heard of any specific reasons why Roy Halladay would veto a trade to the Rangers had a deal been agreed upon?-- Joel S., Murphy, Texas
The Rangers were told specifically that Halladay did not feel that Texas "was a good fit for his family." Others suggested he wanted nothing to do with the weather.
Why are people talking about making Neftali Feliz a closer? How does this make sense for our best pitching prospect?-- Adam D., Sherman, Texas
There is no definitive decision as to what Feliz's long-term role will be. There are arguments both ways. Depending on his workload down the stretch, he could get some time as a starter in winter ball and go that direction next season. There is also sentiment to give him one more season as a reliever before making any decision. Nothing is decided.
Is it just me or has Michael Young found his best defensive position yet? He seems to be thriving at third and getting noticed by his peers.-- David A., Dallas
Young was an outstanding second baseman and a solid shortstop. He is improving daily as a third baseman. He has the third-best fielding percentage but the ninth-best chances per nine innings of any qualifying third baseman in the American League this season. That's not bad considering this is his first season. By the way, he has made one error since June 27.
Is there any chance the Rangers sign Andruw Jones to a multi-year contract the way he's been performing?-- Oscar L., Waco, Texas
Umm, no.
Can the Texas Rangers call up the pitchers Pedro Strop, Warner Madrigal, Kris Benson, Luis Mendoza and Jailen Peguero from Triple-A soon? Can the pitcher Tom Glavine try to join the Texas Rangers for the remainder of 2009 season?-- Joshua O., San Juan, P.R.
What? No Beau Vaughn?
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
