The Recliner Monologues: If I Were The Rangers GM

I’ve decided to start a new thing called, “The Recliner Monologues”.

My brain can go into overload with crazy ideas or opinions on all things Texas Rangers. Although it may be dangerous to unleash this on the public, I figured why not.

My wife has to deal with my brain everyday and she is a saint. Why shouldn’t I expose those of you who are not saintly at all? After all, we have all battled on my Twitter @Rangernationpod over Odor, Woodward, JD and the Rangers ownership.

The monologues can be about anything Texas Rangers that revolve around silly ideas in my brain. Maybe it’s a sports trip to see the Rangers I want to take. Maybe it’s old memories of Ranger games gone by. Perhaps I will review the food at the new stadium once it opens. Maybe I will do a Q&A. What if I pretended to be an owner, manager, or GM.

My name is The Recliner Nerd. It is about 20 days until the trade deadline and I have just taken over as GM.

Let the games begin.

Day 1

I call an emergency meeting with co-chairmen and majority owners, Ray Davis and Bob Simpson. This meeting to discuss their future plans for the team. I explain that I understand that money is tight because of COVID and the oil and gas industry has not been booming also. However, this team needs to be able to operate like a big market team since they are in a top 5 market.

If this isn’t feasible, sell the team. You bought it out of bankruptcy for $586 million and most estimate to be worth about $1.65 billion today. That is a billion-dollar profit, and I guarantee you will still have great seats for the games.

Bob and Ray listen intently and agree. If they can’t afford me the money I need, they will sell.

Roster Moves

Let me preface this by saying that I believe this team is a couple of decent bats and a closer away from winning this year.

I am only making moves to improve the 2020 team.

With that in mind, let us get to work.

I trade Shin Shoo-Choo to the New York Yankees for PTNL or International Slot Money. Choo has been good these last few years and the Yankees can use his lefthanded bat. He will have better protection there and do better. He is a fine DH, but I have an idea to take his place.

Now that Choo is gone I need a left-handed bat that is younger and can play first base instead of the outfield. My first call after the Yankee deal is to call Boston. I trade them RHP Jason Bahr for Mitch Moreland. Moreland is on a one year deal for $3 million with a team option for 2021. Mitch can play first base or DH which keeps Frazier’s legs fresh. Or he can possibly move over to third, should Isiah Kiner-Falefa slide back to a mere mortal. He would then go back to a utility guy who is very good defensively.

I call Scott Boras and tell him that we want Joey Gallo here for a while. We offer Joey Gallo a 10 year $350 million dollar contract extension with an opt-out at 5-year and mutual option at 8 years. This way Boras can test the market if Joey becomes a perineal All-Star and we haven’t already extended him again. He would be 31 going into his opt-out year which is still young enough for him to capitalize. The Rangers are protected after 8 years should he start to fall off.

Rougned Odor has lost his job. I have called around and can’t get anyone to take him no matter how much of the contract we offer to lick up. If the Rangers are going to have to pay his salary, then I decide to keep him for a defensive replacement late in games. I do this because Solak is now the starting second baseman. We can deal Odor in the offseason. For a COVID year, he can come off the bench.

Be sure to checkout BetQLs Consensus Picks on which teams to go with each and every day.

My next move is to get another outfielder who can play center field. I call the Royals. I send them Willie Calhoun for Whit Merrifield.  Merrifield not only plays all three outfield positions, but he can play second base. He is also signed through 2022 with an option for 2023. Calhoun is cheaper and can play second base also. Plus he is younger.

Last I move Sheraton Apostel and Demarcus Evans to Arizona for Archie Bradley. This brings Texas a legit closer and Arizona a legit corner bat prospect and with a good bullpen arm.

Roster Moves Within Organization

• Taylor Hearn is optioned back to Alternate Training Site to make room for Bradley.
• Jeff Mathis is DFA’d and Jose Trevino is called up to finish the season as Chirinos backup.
• DFA Derek Dietrich
• Leody Taveras called up from the Alternative Training Site.

New Active Roster

Rotation

• Lance Lynn
• Kyle Gibson
• Mike Minor
• Jordan Lyles
• Kolby Allard

Bullpen

• Wes Benjamin
• Jesse Chavez
• Ian Gibaut
• Nick Goody
• Jonathan Hernandez
• Brett Martin
• Rafael Montero
• Joely Rodriguez
• Edison Volquez

Closer

• Archie Bradley

Catcher

• Robinson Chirinos
• Jose Trevino

Infield

• Elvis Andrus
• Todd Frazier
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa
• Mitch Moreland
• Rougned Odor
• Nick Solak

Outfield

• Joey Gallo
• Scott Heineman
• Whit Merrifield
• Rob Refsnyder
• Leody Taveras

Projected Starting Lineup

1. Merrifield LF
2. Solak 2B
3. Frazier 1B/DH
4. Gallo RF
5. Moreland 1B/DH
6. Isiah Kiner-Falefa 3B
7. Scott Heineman CF
8. Chirinos/Trevino C
9. Andrus SS

WAKE UP!!! WAKE UP!

Was I dreaming?

Featured Image: Billy Weiss/Getty Images