- My dad’s White Sox continue to add Hispanic middle infielders. Cuban SS/2B/OF Alexei Ramirez reportedly is on his way to 35th and Shields. Ramirez apparently led the Cuban league in home runs this year, but then I led the Norwood Park Pony League in Home Runs one year and you don’t see me in the big leagues. Okay that was a joke, but the number of good hitters the Cuban League has provided the majors with recently is roughly about zero. Betancourt and Morales are okay, I suppose, but not really even league average hitters right now. I suppose somebody at some point is going to come over and hit, I guess we’ll see if it’s Ramirez.
- Yesterday the Texas Rangers acquired Josh Hamilton from the Cincinnati Reds for Pitchers Edinson Volquez and Danny Herrera. I’m calling this one a win for the Reds. Forget for a moment Hamilton’s past indiscretions, the Reds have now cleared a spot in the outfield for, Minor League Player of the Year, Jay Bruce. Whether that’s for him to immediately fill or fill in the very near future, there’s Norris Hopper and Ryan Freel (virtually the same player) available to fill in until that time comes. They get two pitchers with excellent minor league strikeout numbers. The righty starter, Volquez, has shown a little bit of control trouble and has given up too many homers. The lefty reliever Herrera, has had excellent all-around numbers albeit in not that many innings. He’s also 5-8 which I’m sure makes the scouts loathe him with the passion of a 1,000 burning suns. Both appear to be quite useful prospects.
- The Rangers on the other hand have got outfielders. Marlon Byrd finally had a season that his minor league career back in Philadelphia suggested he could have. They snagged Milton Bradley, who if he behaves and stays healthy is an excellent player. Jason Botts and Nelson Cruz have been pounding the ball in the minors the last few seasons, and they still have Frankie Catalanotto kicking around. Sure none of these guys are great options and there’s question marks with all of them, but then there’s probably some question marks with Hamilton too. While he had an impressive 290 at bats, it’s still just 290 at bats and it remains to be seen how he progresses from here. Don’t get me wrong, he definitely jumps right into a starting spot for them and in the fat part of the lineup, but I would think the Rangers needed the arms more than they needed the bat. Certainly not a horrible trade for the Rangers considering Hamilton’s perceived talent, but finding good hitting outfielders has not been the Rangers difficulty as of late.
White Sox sign Alexei Ramirez; Rangers Acquire Josh Hamilton
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3 responses to “White Sox sign Alexei Ramirez; Rangers Acquire Josh Hamilton”
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I’m not so sure it’s mostly Herrera’s size that scouts are worried about, more his reported 80-82 MPH fastball. It’ll be interesting to see how that translates in the bigs. If Volquez can actually keep his control he could be a #2 starter, but I’m not sold that he can yet so his fastball that can get up to 97 may head to the bullpen eventually.
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I can’t see how the Reds won this other then opening up a spot on their roster and essentially adding some ‘prospects’ for a player they paid $100k for. Other then that, Volquez will need to greatly improve his walk rate, and even in that case, look what another fly-ball pitcher with ‘stuff’ has done in Cinci (see E. Milton).
As for Texas, Hamilton could be feast or famine-meaning, either he improves on his first extended playing time in 4 years or teams figure him out-but I would much rather take a long term risk on him, then a pitcher who has failed to live up to expectations.
Also, of the players named in the Texas OF, I’m not sure one can be relied on to play more then 300 at bats in CF.
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