Comments on: Rangers tab Matt Harrison as Opening Day starter

By: artisan3m

artisan3m — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:02:52 +0000

Totally agree. Holland responded to the pressure in 2011 and rose to the occasion with some very good starts. That pressure was not there last year with Lee gone and so many other pitchers with injury. The pressure is back on in 2013 because following Harrison and Darvish simply ratchets up the expectation. Plus, Derek needs to grow up ~ mentally. He has all the tools but he can’t be the ‘puppy’ any longer. I think the sleeper in the rotation is Ogando who may have a chip on his shoulder for being sent to the bullpen after an All Star selection.

By: beefytrout

beefytrout — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:49:02 +0000

Between Harrison and Darvish? I guess it’s how you look at it. Harrison needs to maintain his level of performance, while Darvish needs to take a step forward. There’s no doubt they are the 1-2 in the rotation, but they’re so close that it’s basically 1 and 1a.

In my opinion, the pitcher who is the most important to dictating the team’s success is Derek Holland. He took big steps forward in 2011 and then regressed a bit last year. The Rangers need him to be a solid and dependable starter this year, because the 4 and 5 slots are questionable at best.

By: jessethegreat

jessethegreat — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:00:37 +0000

Thanks beefy!

Though it’s not technically in “his contract”, this does not include the posting fee….. So Harry’s got the greater avg salary, but Rangers still have more $$$ invested in Darvish.

Both are fine pitchers, but as a Rangers fan…. Which do you think is more important in dictating the teams success this year?

Here’s to wishing your team much success this year vs the free spending Angels!

By: kelshannon19

kelshannon19 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 05:36:33 +0000

So game two is Harrell vs Darvish. Might be the better game.

By: beefytrout

beefytrout — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:48:14 +0000

Harrison: 5yr/55m
Darvish: 6yr/60m (Darvish has option to void 6th year)

I was going by average annual salary, which puts Harrison over Darvish $11m to $10m. If Darvish voids the final year, total $ also goes to Harrison.

By: jeffa43

jeffa43 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:19:36 +0000

Where in the article does it say he made more money?

It just says he had pitched better.

By: jessethegreat

jessethegreat — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 04:08:36 +0000

When did Harrison get a larger contract than Darvish? Did I miss something?

By: beefytrout

beefytrout — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:43:18 +0000

Harrison certainly earned the nod, and you’re right about Harrison pitching better when he’s pissed. But now he’s the lead dog on the staff (and the highest paid as well), so the only thing he has left to get pissed about is if he throws out a clunker. Which, as the lead dog, should be few and far between.

By: kiwicricket

kiwicricket — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:29:22 +0000

Harrison vs Norris….Not really one match-up I’d pay twice normal regular season value for.

By: gt929

gt929 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:20:38 +0000

Darvish may have more upside, but, by virtue of being the Rangers’ best pitcher in 2012, Harrison earned the opening day start. I wouldn’t have minded seeing the Rangers give it to Darvish, though, just because Harry pitches quite well when he’s pissed, or feels he’s been slighted.