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Big Bob Erlin is now in Ol' San Antone 1. Stockpiled prospects like bottled water before Y2K.
2. Use those prospects to win.
The likes of Neftali Feliz, Mitch Moreland and Elvis Andrus helped them win on the field.
Others had a different impact. They were traded for Major-League ready and capable players.
I wanted to take a moment and catch up with those prospects -- many familiar names, some forgotten in the bustle of two seasons -- and see what they are doing and where they are doing it.
Justin Smoak
Traded to the Seattle Mariners for Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe
Smoak had a great start to the season plugging six doubles, four homers, double-digit walks and a .284 average. The average dropped through May and June, but the power numbers and walks continued. By July, everything dropped off. He got hurt and was demoted. He's returned with an uptick in September (.319/.385/.447). There are reports that Smoak's defense at first is lacking and that he might turn into a full-time DH.
Blake Beavan
Traded to the Seattle Mariners for Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe
Has sandwiched two pretty good months (July, September) over a kind of bad month (August). Got call up despite so-so numbers (4.45 ERA) in Triple A. He's still not missing many bats (34 Ks in 85 IP). Surviving as a rookie though. Don't know how he pans out long term.
Josh Lueke
Traded to the Seattle Mariners for Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe
He was the guy up on rape charges when he was with the Rangers. He was eventually convicted of lesser charges. Still, the scouting director with Seattle, Carmen Fusco, was possibly fired due to not checking Lueke's past. Lueke throws heat out of the bullpen so his arrival was imminent. He made his debut this season and has posted a 7.07 ERA although he's striking out a batter per inning. Just getting hit a lot.
Matt Lawson
Traded to the Seattle Mariners for Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe
Lawton was traded by Seattle to Cleveland in the Aaron Laffey deal. Then, in June, out of the blue, Lawson retired. I can't find a reason. He was 25. He always seemed like a handy-dandy utility infielder type. I don't know if he could have had a higher ceiling. Still, felt like he could hit. Anyway, Laffey was DFA'd soon after. So, essentially, the Mariners traded Cliff Lee and Mark Lowe for Lueke, Beavan and Smoak.
Tommy Hunter
Traded to Baltimore Orioles for Koji Uehara
A bit of bad luck and natural selection doomed Big Game's tenure in Texas. I always liked the guy because he seemed to be a true gamer and innings eater at a time when the Rangers had none. Now they have a lot and it left Hunter behind. It's bad luck that Hunter's time in Texas was derailed by injury. Then, Matt Harrison, Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando panned out -- all three with higher ceilings than Hunter. But you have to consider why Hunter was out. For the second straight year, he was sidelined by a injury at the beginning of the season. The frequency of injuries, to me, correlates to his weight. He's listed at 280. He's probably closer to 300, if that's possible. I think Hunter, with his weight, was always going to have a hard time staying healthy. The Texas heat would always be an issue.
Chris Davis
Traded to Baltimore Orioles for Koji Uehara
Crush wasn't half bad with the Rangers in his limited time this year. He's been equally not awful with Baltimore. Davis needed a new team, a new franchise. I don't think the strikeouts will ever be eliminated. At best, minimized. Or offset with 35 homers and 40 doubles and salty defense. Maybe.
Zach Phillips
Traded to Baltimore Orioles for Nick Green and cash
Probably a trade most have forgotten. The Rangers needed room on the 40-man so they basically gave away Phillips for Green, a Quadruple A infielder. Phillips has pitched 5.2 innings, most against lefties. He's yet to allow a run. Lefties are hitting .133 against him.
Pedro Strop
Traded to Baltimore Orioles for Mike Gonzalez
By what I could tell, I honestly don't think Ron Washington never liked him. So I don't think he got the fairest of deals in Texas. In Baltimore, he's yet to allow a run in 7.2 innings, striking out nine, walking two. Maybe the rotten Strop will show up. Maybe he's good and was never going to get his shot in Texas.
Ryan Tatusko
Traded to Washington Nationals for Cristian Guzman
A sweet guy, it was sad to see him go. He's pitched in Double and Triple A for Washington with very little success.
Tanner Roark
Traded to Washington Nationals for Cristian Guzman
I thought he was pretty solid for the Rangers coming up strong through the minors for the Rangers. Is 9-9 with a 4.69 ERA. His strikeouts are a tad down and his walks up.
Evan Reed
Traded to Florida Marlins for Jorge Cantu
Was placed on the 40-man to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. I don't know if he's injured or what his story is as I can't find any 2011 stats for the guy.
Omar Poveda
Florida Marlins
Nothing new here. Poveda's about to be 24 now. He's spent all of the season in Florida's Double A affiliate. He's a big arm that walks a lot of batters and allows a lot of hits. Exactly what he did with Texas.
Joe Wieland
Traded San Diego Padres for Mike Adams
Prediction: The Padres and their fans will love this trade, although they might miss Mike Adams. Wieland's gone 3-1 with a 2.77 ERA. His strikeout and walk numbers are not as sterling as they were with High-A, but they are still really good. Both he and Rob Erlin will be in San Diego some time next season.
Rob Erlin
Traded to San Diego Padres for Mike Adams
Simply didn't drop off after the trade. Posted a 1.38 ERA with the San Antonio Missions. Struck out 31 in 26 innings. Allowed as many walks as earned runs (4).
Joaquin Arias
Traded to New York Mets for Jeff Franceour
Has spent the entirety in the Mets' Triple A affiliate racking up a .232 average and .272 OBP. You're welcome, Mets.
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