Monday Morning Manager, West Coast Edition

1. Common sense says that baseball is a team sport; a player/pitcher shouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his team’s opportunity to win, especially in a tight division race. However, common sense has never part of the unspoken baseball traditions of “retaliation” and “protecting your teammates” – while that may score points in the clubhouse fraternity, in this situation the rest of the fraternity was not able to overcome losing Eaton on the mound. Turned out to be a very poor decision on Eaton’s part, I hope that it doesn’t prove to be the pivotal game that ends the Rangers chances to stay in the division race.

2. Horrific – no, Average – yes.

3. I don’t know how they do it, but A’s somehow find a way to get themselves back in the race around the beginning of August, and this year is no different. The A’s offense is dead last in the AL with a .249 Batting Average, and their offense is also dead last in the AL in Batting Average with runners in scoring position (.240) Their pitching appears to be carrying them – they are 3rd in the AL with a 4.14 ERA, and their pitchers are holding opposing teams to a .240 batting average with runners in scoring position. So it seems they are once again proof of that old cliché- “good pitching beats good hitting”. It also helps that they’ve built a lead in the division beating up the Mariners – and still have 6 games left with them, courtesy of the unbalanced schedule Not to mention 6 games with a wildly inconsistent (there’s that word again) Rangers team – yes, it looks like they have the opportunity to run away with the division – today, it certainly looks like they will.

4. If Nelson Cruz can come close to producing like his minor league numbers (.305 Batting Average, .374 OBP, .511 SLG PCT.) then yes – it does justify the trade if Carlos Lee doesn’t stay in Texas. But that an awfully big “IF”. I’d rather see Lee signed – especially since I have serious doubts about Mark Teixeira remaining a Ranger after the 2007 season.

5. My favorite memory of the 1996: the playoff games. As a long time Ranger fan (since 1979) I’d never experienced anything as exhilarating as those 2 homes games in October.

1. We are not talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates nor the KC Royals, we are talking about a team right in the thick of a playoff race, albeit an average one, playing against a divisional rival in the same position. Eaton’s behavior was unacceptable and should learn that winning comes first. I’m very dissappointed in this guy, especially because he was in a race very similar to this one a year ago.
2.Absolutely not. I think the young arms will give the pen a boost of energy. Although they did lose some experience with Cordero gone.

3. The A’s feel like they have nothing to lose. Given the several injuries their team’s suffered, they know they have overachieved. But I still think they will only finish second to the Angels.

4.Who is Nelson Cruz? A prospect. And like most prospects, he might not live up to the expectations and the other OF prospects in the farm are not better than Cruz right now (sorry Kevin Mahar, but it’s true).

But even if Cruz becomes half the player we all hope, a team must have three starting outfielders. Who else are we going to run out there next year? Mark DeRosa, Junior Mathews? if they resign and if they show this year was no fluke. Two big IF’s (actually four). wil”K”erson? if he ever stops striking out. An even bigger IF than the other four put together. Mench, Nix? Oh wait! they’re not here anymore. Lee must be resigned

5.Isn’t winning the best memory of all? Finishing first. That’s the best memory.

1) Did John Garland get tossed against Texas a few weeks ago when he threw behing a hitter on consecutive pitches? No, he gets chewed out by his manager first on the field and then in the dugout. Nothing was done during the game or after the game. There have been other examples that did not result in an immediate ejected (see Estes vs. Clemens). A precedent has been set. The Rangers have every right to object and request the suspension of Mr. Drake.
2) The bullpen is not horrific, especially now that Coco is gone. The Reds bullpen is horrific, Texas’ is just young and inexperienced.

3)Yes and No. I think the A’s will run away from the Rangers but not from the Angels. The Rangers are too inconsistent both offensively and on the mound. The A’s are consistent. They will get good pitching and timely hitting up and down the order. Plus they know how to work the count and draw walks. Then Angels will lurk behind them and might catch them. Whichever team wins the West will exit the play-offs in the first round.

4) It is not important to sign C. Lee to validate the trade. Cordero, Mench, and Nix were not going to lead this team to the promised land. Daniels made a fair trade to give the team the opportunity to win this year and improved the outfield talent in the future.

5) Juan winning the first game with his bat. I had waited my whole childhood, adolescence, and young adult life for that first playoff game and we won!!!!!!! And I anxiously await the next playoff win…please come quickly.

1. It was a rather lame way for an umpire to insert himself into the game. The precetent did not exist for tossing eaton
2. Typically Chuck knows his subject. This time he really had no clue what he was talking about but unfortunately that happens more often than you expecct from professionals.

3. the comment that MJH made a few weeks ago still rings true. We just don’t have all the parts moving in the right direction. Oakland does so while it pains me to say it….i think they take it.

4. I believe if we don’t sign him, we still get dragt picks right? Yes signing him makes it a great trade. Picks and Nelson Gruz makes it a good trade.

5. Biggest memory was that I was shocked Pudge never really hit. couldn’t believe it.