http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/1029 Recent articles about Dustin Nippert en-us Validating the negative influence of recently fired Texas Rangers pitching coach Mark Connor on promising young hurler Brandon McCarthy. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:12:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/310564 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/310564 Taylor Teagarden's heroics power the Texas Rangers to their first 1-0 victory in nearly four years. Mon, 21 Jul 2008 21:33:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293570 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/293570 Why the suddenly effervescent Vicente Padilla is raising eyebrows in Texas; the superhuman Josh Hamilton; is Gerald Laird Bronx-bound? Mon, 28 Apr 2008 15:02:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260682 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/260682 Frankie Francisco makes his triumphant return, while Dustin Nippert heads to the trainer's table. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:07:59 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/254015 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/254015 After an undignified retreat from the bloody aftermath of Fenway Park, the Texas Rangers look to turn their rapidly fading 2008 season around. Order of business #1? Say goodbye to Ben Broussard. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:53:09 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/253959 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/253959 Question: What do you call a team that records a lead-off triple, down 5-4 in extra innings, and ends up failing to score? Answer: Really, really infuriating. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:09:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/236860 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/236860 In a surprise twist, the Texas Rangers have completed a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for talented but frustrating right-hander Dustin Nippert. Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:53:10 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/223230 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/223230 A relatively minor trade took place tonight between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers. In the deal, the Rangers receive for Arizona Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Dustin Nippert and the D-Backs get minor league pitcher Jose Marte. Nippert was originally the favorite to take the last spot in Arizona's bullpen so this deal is a little surprise. Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:52:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/222810 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/222810 The Daily News reports that the Yankees and Diamondbacks are closing in on a deal that would send Randy Johnson to the D'Backs for pitching prospects. What stands in the way of getting the deal done? Three things: 1. The teams have to agree on the prospects. Right now, among the arms being discussed are three right-handed starters: Dustin Nippert (a 25 year-old who posted a 130/52 K/BB and 4.87 ERA in 140.1 innings at AAA), Micah Owings (a 24 year-old who posted 130/51 K/BB and 3.33 ERA in 162 innings at AA & AAA), and Ross Ohlendorf (a 24 year-old who posted a 125/29 K/BB and 3.25 ERA in 182.2 innings at AA & AAA). There is also some talk of one of Arizona's young relievers. 2. Johnson has to waive his no-trade clause. In theory, this shouldn't be a problem as one of the reported reasons the Yankees are accepting trade offers for Johnson is because he indicated to Brian Cashman that he wants to be closer to his family out West. 3. The D'Backs have to get a one-year contract extension out of Johnson. Once again, this should be doable in theory. Johnson has 280 career wins, and he would be hard-pressed to win 20 games in one season win the Yankees, let alone the Diamondbacks. So adding another year would benefit everyone. Most of the mainstream media spin is that the Diamondbacks are doing this to draw at the gate. While acquiring Randy Johnson would obviously help in that area, I see this primarily as a move to improve their team enough to get to make a playoff run in the next couple seasons. The National League West is weak, and getting weaker. The Giants got the geriatric band back together and replaced Jason Schmidt with Barry Zito. And neither the Dodgers, Rockies or Padres did much this offseason to add significantly to their talent base. In fact, an argument could be made that every team in the NL West got worse, except for the Diamondbacks if they pull this trade off. A rotation of Brandon Webb, Randy Johnson, Doug Davis, Livan Hernandez, and one of their many young arms could be quite formidable. Sat, 30 Dec 2006 02:26:01 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/7570 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/7570