With Jaramillo out, Pudge may bolt Rangers, too

SportingNews staff reports Oct 17, 3:16 am EDT

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The Fort Worth Star-Telegram speculates that catcher Ivan Rodriguez(notes) will choose not to re-sign with the Texas Rangers now that longtime hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo has decided not to return.

According to the newspaper, Rodriguez planned to work with Jaramillo during the offseason and was interested in returning to Texas because of Jaramillo.

Rodriguez hit .245 with two homers and 13 RBIs after his trade from the Houston Astros to the Rangers this season.


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Updated Oct 17, 3:16 am EDT
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3 Comments

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  1. candyman
    3. Posted by candyman Mon Oct 19 11:03am EDT

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    Hey jim, since the "brains" in front of MLB decided that the most important thing baseball can offer is HOMERUNS ( lowered the mound, a lot more live ball, shorter fences, lighter bats,etc, and a situation where a salary cap for teams and players ) everybody is going for the fences, yes, every player wants to be the "hero. This homer fever caused by the "bacteria" of more millions if you hit a lot of them has baseball where it is now.That is why you see even guys without power teying to hit the ball out of the park on every at bat, instead of driving the ball, hitting behind the runners and buntting correctly.When was the last time that players like ARod, Manny were tested for steroids? I think that a player with at least one positive should be tested on a regular basis.Not like Barry Bonds, that every body and the facts were screaming for tests, but was allowed by doing nothing to breake the records,and still are doing nothing.I would like somebody to explain to all of us why the test conducted six or seven years ago were kept in secrecy.Is it the players who are supposed to make the rules of a sport while making millions from playing it?Thnk god that U.S.A. is not in control of "soccer".The day they have a chance, if it ever happens, they will probably enlarge the goal area size to get dozens of "gols" like they have done with the "homers".
  2. Livin' the Vegas Life
    2. Posted by Livin' the Vegas Life Sat Oct 17 12:56pm EDT

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    I love what Jaramillo did for the Rangers. But I sort of agree with Jim. Maybe it is time to change the hitting coach. Kinsler was much better just getting on base the year before last. Kinsler was hitting for average. Last year everyone could see he was trying to hit home runs. He would undercut the ball and hit pop up and fly balls. He average went into the tank. As a good leadoff man, Kinsler needs to just get on base any way he can. Last year he didn't do that. This past year it was home run or nothing. For Andrew Jones it was the same thing. There are "table setters" and "long ball hitters". Everyone doesn't needs to hit home runs for the Rangers to be successfull. Then there are players like Mike Young. Young is a "'situational hitter". If the Rangers need a base runner, Young will take the roll. If the Rangers need a long fly ball to score a run, he take that on. If the Rangers need a home run, Young will try to supply that. A batting coach that specializes in situational hitting may be a good change.

    As for Pudge, his biggest value at the end of his playing career, is as a spot started behind the plate and a tutor for young catchers. That's why the Rangers brought him in last year. The Rangers would want Pudge to fill that roll again this year. Pudge and the Rangers will always be linked together, no matter what Pudge desides. Both the Rangers and Marlins want Pudge in that roll. There are other teams that may also want Pudge as well. His biggest value is to the Rangers and Marlins. He has ties to both communities. Eventualy Pudge will become a roving catching instructor for some team when his playing days are through. I wouldn't be surprised to see Pudge managing some day.
  3. jim
    1. Posted by jim Sat Oct 17 9:49am EDT

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    It was time for a change with the hitting coach. the young rangers had got homer happy. look at kinser a very good hitter but not a real power man. count the number of pop-ups to second base this year. if i was coaching a kids that had a upper-cut swing like his, i'd bench him. sometimes it's fine but with two strikes and runner at third base, make contact. pop ups and strike outs wont cut it. smartess hitter i saw on the rangers was a 20 yr old rookie.
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