Basically, "don't expect to see Profar get more than 50ab next year". I'd much rather watch some old humourless fart play the game like he's solemnly effing his mother than watch the best prospect in baseball squeal with churlish glee at every hit.

According to Gil LeBreton in the Startlegram, Profar is very much in the Rangers' plans, probably to start at 2B while Kinsler moves to the outfield or even possibly to DH. Even if Profar breaks camp with the AAA club, I imagine it'll be a situation like that of Posey or Trout in 2010 or 2012: in the ML lineup before too long at all.

According to Gil LeBreton in the Startlegram, Profar is very much in the Rangers' plans, probably to start at 2B while Kinsler moves to the outfield or even possibly to DH. Even if Profar breaks camp with the AAA club, I imagine it'll be a situation like that of Posey or Trout in 2010 or 2012: in the ML lineup before too long at all.

Yeah, if Profar starts the season in AAA, I don't expect them to keep him there very long. Kid looks ready.

On if he expects Michael Young to be back in 2013:

Yes, I do. Michael is our veteran player. He played a role this year as DH and as the ultimate utility man for us, and so do I expect him back? Yeah. And do I think he’ll play that role? Yeah, I do in some degree in that role.

Michael "-2.2 WAR" Young, man, #### that guy. If Wash didn't insanely commit to playing him every single day, Texas would have won the division. And if he wasn't playing the field in the WC game, Darvish doesn't give up a run in the 1st and the game might have gone differently. Dude almost singlehandedly ruined the 2012 season, with an assist from Wash. Ryan should be digging two shallow graves out in the middle of nowhere, west Texas.

Michael Young is 35. Nolan Ryan averaged 4 WAR from his age 40-44 seasons. Could it be that he underestimates the effects of age on mere mortals and overestimates the value of veteran leadership because he was so damn awesome?

Basically, "don't expect to see Profar get more than 50ab next year". I'd much rather watch some old humourless fart play the game like he's solemnly effing his mother than watch the best prospect in baseball squeal with churlish glee at every hit.

Or they could trade Andrus for Justin Upton?

Is prideful even a word? Shouldn't it just be "proud"?

EDIT: Internet says "yes, this is a word", but it's definitely not the one that Nolan wanted to use there.

Wow, the news just keeps getting better for As fans. Maybe Young can take over for Hamilton.

I was going to say the same thing Russ, but its sticking your neck out around here to make any comments about language.

I was going to say the same thing Russ, but its sticking your neck out around here to make any comments about language.

"Prideful" is a perfect stick to beat descriptivists over the head with. "Prideful" in its first definition was originally a thoroughly negative word ("haughty, arrogant" says the OED). Allowing it to become a mere synonym for "proud", as we are slowly but surely doing, leaves the language a bit poorer in its range of possible meanings.

He could be useful in '13 as a DH against lefties, and to pinch-hit for Moreland against LOOGYs'. But even if he improves back to the level where he could perform that role, is that valuable enough for a roster spot? Is he no longer acceptable as backup depth at 2b or 3b?

He could be useful in '13 as a DH against lefties, and to pinch-hit for Moreland against LOOGYs'. But even if he improves back to the level where he could perform that role, is that valuable enough for a roster spot? Is he no longer acceptable as backup depth at 2b or 3b?

Young is atrocious at ALL defensive positions at this point, including 1B. If he could get his OPS+ above 90, the ability to play all infield positions badly might have some value as long as he was used as a backup. Unfortunately, he looks cooked with the bat and Washington is apparently committed to playing him every single day because of his proven veterany goodness. Or, if you're cynical, because Young supported Wash during that cocaine kerfuffle a few years ago.

its sticking your neck out around here to make any comments about language.

Well played. Or well plaid, I don't know.

According to Gil LeBreton in the Startlegram, Profar is very much in the Rangers' plans, probably to start at 2B while Kinsler moves to the outfield or even possibly to DH. Even if Profar breaks camp with the AAA club, I imagine it'll be a situation like that of Posey or Trout in 2010 or 2012: in the ML lineup before too long at all.

I see him being on the roster, of course, but I have a) zero faith in Ron's ability to ever bench Young (if Elvis is gone, which I'm fairly certain he will be in return for a pitcher or COF), b) little hope of seeing Ron want to play him at short (because for some reason there still seems to be resistance to him learning on the job like Elvis did) c) not much more hope for Kinsler to be of any additional value as a COF or DH (it seems most of his value is tied up with him playing second base, despite his subpar defense).

Young's presence means that he is the immediate back up to the entire infield. The situation I can see Profar getting most at bats is if Elvis is traded, and Ron continues to want to platoon at 1b with Moreland. But, in my continual pessimism and lack of faith in Wash, I can see Elvis going and Young taking over full time. It haunts me. At least Moreland would finally get an opportunity to play consistently.

According to Gil LeBreton in the Startlegram, Profar is very much in the Rangers' plans, probably to start at 2B while Kinsler moves to the outfield or even possibly to DH.

That seems like a really bad use of resources. Kinsler's bat is not nearly so special in LF.

If you have 3 good MI, trade one. Don't do stupid crap that minimizes their value.

I must say that if the Rangers trade Andrus because they have Profar, they're nuts. A team that can't figure out a way to play both of them is not figuring very well. The reward would have to be very considerable.

Now, trading Kinsler, who turns 31 next season, I could see; but his contract situation makes that very unlikely. They're priming him to be the next 36-year-old face of the franchise :)

They just need to lobby MLB for a third middle infielder position. I always though baseball should have a permanent rover.

I must say that if the Rangers trade Andrus because they have Profar, they're nuts. A team that can't figure out a way to play both of them is not figuring very well. The reward would have to be very considerable.

If you can get equal talent and meet a need, why not? Andrus is a nice player, but lets not make him out to be prime ARod. Putting Profar at 2B, is a waste of his talent, and exposes him to unnecessary injury risk.

You really don't want a plus-bat SS prospect exposed to learning on-the-job at 2B. He's one hard slide from major knee problems.

Now, trading Kinsler, who turns 31 next season, I could see; but his contract situation makes that very unlikely. They're priming him to be the next 36-year-old face of the franchise :)

Kinsler is definitely tradeable. He had a down 2012, but will only be 31 next year and his contract isn't really that bad. There are plenty of teams in baseball who would be upgrading 2B by getting Ian Kinsler. I doubt Texas would get a great return unless they were willing to eat some money or take back a decent sized contract in return, but he could be moved pretty easily.

If you can get equal talent and meet a need, why not? Andrus is a nice player, but lets not make him out to be prime ARod. Putting Profar at 2B, is a waste of his talent, and exposes him to unnecessary injury risk.

You really don't want a plus-bat SS prospect exposed to learning on-the-job at 2B. He's one hard slide from major knee problems.

And I pretty much agree with this. Andrus is probably going to wind up as Jeter's replacement on the Yankees for the 2015 season, is a good but not great player, and has considerable trade value right now. Texas could probably get some impact talent back in return and open up Profar's natural (and most valuable) position.

Good points, all – I just really prefer young players on the ascent to older ones on the way down. In terms of their production, it might not be a relevant distinction.

"Jurickson Barthelomeus Profar," that's quite a name.

Good points, all – I just really prefer young players on the ascent to older ones on the way down. In terms of their production, it might not be a relevant distinction.

Sure, but the plan would be to trade Andrus for another young player(s), particularly a CF, not old players.

I think you'd be selling low on Kinsler here, unless he's going to pull a full Baerga/Alomar.