By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 01/18/2012

Working around the clock in the days leading up to the 5pm EST deadline to reach an agreement, the Rangers and Japanese Starting Pitcher Yu Darvish have agreed to a six year, $60 million contract.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 12/24/2011

There are tons and tons of baseball scouts, front office executives, talent advisors, analysts, and coaches who have seen this young man pitch and by a HUGE majority they say he is the "real deal" and worth the risk. Yes, the risk has the down side and...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 12/20/2011

With a record setting bid of $51.7 million the Rangers have won the rights to Yu Darvish, considered by many to be the prize of the pitching market this offseason who would immediately replace CJ Wilson in the Rangers rotation if he comes to terms with...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 12/09/2011

The Rangers have put the Angels in that position and because of all the hard work put in by Jon Daniels and his staff, the Rangers only have to make one or two much smaller moves to maintain their edge; moves I fully expect Daniels to make and somehow...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 11/30/2011

Shameless title, I know, but I've wanted to use that for a while...so I did! I've been wanting to write this piece for a long time, before the season started in fact.  But I knew it would be better and much more credible if I waited until after ...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 11/09/2011

I'll be the first to admit I don't know what moves the Rangers will make this offseason, no one saw the Adrian Beltre signing coming in November last year, but I do know Daniels has the resources to go in a variety of directions now and there isn't a...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 11/04/2011

So 2011 didn't quite end the way we wanted to...alright, fine that might be the understatement of the year for me.  But what can we do, continue to sit around and sulk?  Granted that it doesn't help that locally the Cowboys are playing to improve...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 10/28/2011

The measure of a team isn't how they respond when things are going well, it's how they respond when things are going very very wrong and these Rangers have been here time and time again this season.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 10/25/2011

DIRTBAG!!! Just one word, and you can completely sum-up the Texas Rangers catcher, Mike Napoli.  Yeah I know that warrior, bruiser, tough guy can all work as well, but manager Ron Washington said it best...Dirtbag!   Last night in...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 10/24/2011

16 runs, 15 hits, and 4 Home Runs, all in one game.  A power-hitter who joined the ranks of Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson with three home runs in a single World Series game, also tied WS records for hits (5), RBI (6), and broke the record for total...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 10/21/2011

I know many times that I joke and hash-tag, #CardiacBaseball, when referring to the way the Texas Rangers play baseball.  But after that night...seriously guys...SERIOUSLY!!!  If the remaining games of the 2011 Fall Classic are going to be ...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 10/18/2011

In the words of team captain Michael Young, nothing's going to sneak up on the Rangers this time; they're ready.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 10/11/2011

HEADS UP!!!...(THUD)...Wait for it...(THUD)...Ok, it's safe. Sorry about that, but Nelson Cruz's two home runs from last night just re-entered the atmosphere and landed somewhere between far east Dallas County and Rockwall County. What a night, last ...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 10/04/2011

Much has been said, especially here at LTR, about how huge the run to the World Series last season was in the development of a perennial contender, but developing that killer instinct is always the last thing for a young club like the Rangers.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 09/29/2011

On Friday, September 23rd, the Rangers defeated the Mariners in Arlington, 5-3.  After that the fans enjoyed pre-determined postgame fireworks, then nearly two hours after the final pitch the Athletics closed out a 3-1 victory over the Angels. ...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 09/20/2011

I love watching baseball games on television, lots of good insight, the ability to rewind and re-watch pitches and plays, but many don't share that feeling.  In fact there are many who would rather not watch games, and really only enjoy going to...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 09/19/2011

With the Angels dropping two of three to the Orioles while the Rangers won their series in Seattle, beating King Feliz Hernandez once again in the rubber match on Sunday, the Rangers magic number sits at six with nine games left to play.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 09/01/2011

Last night's game...whatever, we were flat from the word go, didn't expect a sweep and Shields is a very good pitcher when he is locked-in.  But just as nice, I was jumping up and down late last night...watching the Haren-King Felix, M's-Halos game. ...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 08/31/2011

Daniels made two trades early Wednesday afternoon bringing back former Rangers catcher Matt Treanor from Kansas City for cash considerations and adding LHP Mike Gonzalez to the bullpen for a player to be named later.
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 08/29/2011

Somehow I knew the Angels would not pack up their tents and go home after the Rangers left Anaheim last week with a seven game lead in the West, but I certainly didn't expect things to be this tight in the race again this quickly.
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 08/15/2011

After spending what seemed like all season clinging to a one game lead over the second place Halos, the Rangers took advantage of the Angels' 2-4 week and extended their division lead to four heading into an important four game series in Anaheim.
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 08/01/2011

I remember when former owner Tom Hicks announced he was promoting Jon Daniels to general manager and having a strange gut feeling that despite his age, he would be the guy who finally put a winner on the field in Arlington.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 07/31/2011

So you thought the Rangers were done.  You thought the Rangers were going to add Heath Bell.  Well guess what, when you play the guessing game with Rangers GM Jon Daniels, you lose everytime. With about an hour left before the July 31st non-waiver...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 07/30/2011

The Texas Rangers have made their first move as the July 31st trade deadline approaches.  The Rangers have traded for the services of Oriole reliever Koji Uehara.  Uehara, age 36, has been the Orioles right-handed setup man, and what a setup...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 07/24/2011

Aside from Francisco Rodriguez going to the Brewers, it has so far been a very tame and docile environment leading up to the trade deadline on July 31st.    We hear day-in and day-out about who's going where, who's active, who's a buyer. who's...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 07/11/2011

Have you ever looked at your fantasy baseball and football drafts and wondered, "How cool would it be if I had two or maybe three of the first ten picks."  A few years ago, pre-draft, I traded away five draft picks for two separate first round picks...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 07/09/2011

First of all, I'm not going into detail about what happened last night, July 7th, at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.  I think we have all seen and read enough.  My heart and prayers go out to Shannon Stone's family, his six-year-old child, Josh...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 07/01/2011

Before everyone jumps all over me on this one please keep in mind I've been one of the loudest voices among Rangers bloggers when it comes to giving Chris Davis his walking papers either through a trade or release.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/29/2011

There are many people who love to SALT there meat before they sit down to the table and eat it.  Many will even do it while still in line to get their meat.  But here's the thing, no one notices or really cares about SALT-ing until your at ...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/22/2011

The Rangers need bullpen upgrades and while you'll continue to hear about internal options like Tommy Hunter, Scott Feldman and Tanner Scheppers; the Rangers need to make another Lee caliber deal if they want to return to the World Series.
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/18/2011

A very special Let's Talk Rangers congratulations to LTR columnist Matthew Irby and wife Amy on the birth of the first child Samuel Watkins Irby. Sammy projects to be the Rangers first round choice in 18 years after extensive coaching throughout his ...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/17/2011

Before I tackle this sensitive subject let me lay a little bit of foundation.  MLB and MLBPA have already begun meeting to discuss the specifics of their next Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  Lockout or strike...nope, in the words...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/15/2011

Ok, once again  I feel almost completely out of sorts since yesterday all I did was talk Mavs, I tried to mention the Rangers as much as I could and there are some good comparisons between the two runs. But today, we are back to baseball...trade...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/09/2011

The second two days of the Draft, this is the time when the average fans tunes out and even the die-hards lose interest.  But don't be mistaken, World Series championships are won and lost on this day.  It is such an interesting two days because...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/08/2011

The Rangers have announced the club has relieved hitting coach Thad Bosley of his duties and will replace him with AAA Round Rock hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/07/2011

Josh Hamilton is a Home Run Derby, Michael Young in consistent performances, and C.J. Wilson in visiting exotic destinations and trying odd things.  There is something special when these people perform in their premier events. And in early June,...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 06/04/2011

With so many other equally talented pitchers approaching the big leagues the Rangers no longer need veterans past their prime.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 05/31/2011

In the past few years the Rangers have been conducting themselves under the personal theory of build from within.  This has had some growing pains, but if properly done the rewards can be extensive and cost-effective.  We have seen some of ...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 05/27/2011

With right around a third of the season completed, the Texas Rangers have already seen a major influx in minor league help at the big league level, especially when referring to the bullpen.  Here is a quick look at some of the stories currently ...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 05/25/2011

On May 9th the Rangers fell 7-2 to the visiting A’s, losing their 11th game in 15 days and completing the destruction of the 9-1 start to the season.  Texas now sat 18-18 and found themselves in 3rd place in the AL West behind both the A’s...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 05/23/2011

If the Texas Rangers wind up winning the American League West race in 2011, the rival Angels and Athletics will probably look back on the recently concluded six week stretch when Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Neftali Feliz and Julio Borbon hit the disabled...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 05/12/2011

Frustrating… Annoying… Angered… Disapproval… Confusion…   And this is only the tip of the iceberg when talking about my emotions in regards to yesterday’s events at the Ballpark. For those that might have...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 05/06/2011

Daniels can make all the roster moves he wants but this team needs an attitude adjustment and it needs it now.
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 04/20/2011

This week the minions discuss Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando, whether teaching Chris Davis to play the outfield is a good idea and roster moves the Rangers should make after watching the team over the first two weeks of the season.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 04/15/2011

Neil Ramirez       Heard of him?  Probably not.  Well don’t get too down on yourself, 95% of Ranger fans have not heard of this 21-year old right-hander.   First a history lesson on how he came ...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 04/13/2011

Things certainly took a turn for the worse for the Rangers in Detroit, dropping the last two games and losing the AL MVP in the process, but the Rangers are good at bouncing back and have a roster built to withstand injuries.
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 04/07/2011

2010 ended with the Texas Rangers winning the AL West for the first time in 11 years, winning their franchises first ever playoff series, clinching their first ever AL Pennant, and making, yet sadly falling just short, in their first ever World Series. ...
Read more…

By irbytexan @ Let's Talk Rangers 04/04/2011

Top 1st: Matt Harrison with an 11-pitch inning, very nice, very crisp, a whole lot to like about that first inning. Bot 1st: I'm a little disappointed in Ian Kinsler's leadoff at bat.  Oh sure he worked a walk and didn't swing at any pitches outside...
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 03/28/2011

In this edition the minions discuss who replaces Tommy Hunter in the rotation, Julio Borbon’s defensive struggles, prospects Tanner Scheppers and Martin Perez and give their predictions for the upcoming season.
Read more…

By letstalkrangers @ Let's Talk Rangers 03/26/2011

Just when they thought they were all set to start the season Tommy Hunter's right groin throws a wrench into everything.
Read more…