Mench to play first base

They're giving Mench every opportunity to win the last bench job. Look at the last 6 games: Mench has 2 starts and subbed into 3 more games. Botts subbed into 3 games and started zero. After raising his average for the spring to .389, Botts hasn’t played in the next 3 A squad games. That’s pretty telling. I don't know how they can say he's being given a fair shot at making the roster when he's not in the starting lineup 6 days in a row.

Get your Mench #28 Rangers Opening Day Starting Right Fielder jerseys. Ha Ha. Mench to play first, Mench to play Right Field, Mench to sell jerseys, Mench to manage. Ha Ha. I like the guy predicted he would return. But this is interfering and is going to either cost Botts or Cruz a roster spot. So predictable.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose

It appears to me that RW the 'baseball man' doesn't want to have to worry about rookies making any mistakes on his team. I am very anxious to see how many rookies actually make the team. Will any?

For all the talk we've heard about youth it's truly amazing.

Mench and Ponson! (head shaking)

Yep, Wash seems to be fearing the ax on his short leash. Maybe he's afraid that inexperienced players will cost him his job. Maybe he's playing head games with Botts.

I can see Ponson, simply due to injuries and the fact that Hurley and Harrison should be in OKC until the ASB. I'm simply baffled by the Mench/Botts dance that has been going on for almost a month.

Last I heard, 2 K's in 18 at-bats with a .389 average. Combine that with Wash's stamp of approval at 1B defense and switch-hitting capability and I'm completely confused!

If Wash actually believes that Mench deserves a roster spot on a rebuilding team over the likes of Botts or Cruz, he truly is better suited for coaching instead of managing.-

-J. Parks

I like that Mench is open to trying to play first base if he is ok at first with what he can do playing the Corner outfield spots and DHing he deserves the shot being a good veteran player. I like the attitude he has shown so far in camp and what he has done with his bat at the plate in spring training so far. No wonder he has already become a favorite of Wash's. He is going to make Botts and Cruz play really hard to beat him out of making this team and that is the way it should be. No more handing players jobs anymore because of there potential you need to earn your spot and that is the kind of players I want on the Rangers. Sorry for you Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts fans out there but they have shown flashes but that is it and we need more from them than what they have shown us so far in their careers. Mench has had success in the major leagues before so I guess the Rangers want a proven player over a potential player until the guys get here with the talent and the potential and then we can have this dicussion all over again. When players like Chris Davis, John Mayberry and Borbon get here to go with Josh Hamilton who is a stud so far. I think Hamilton is a keeper I can't wait to see him in action at the Ballpark.

I agree with placing capable, proven players on the roster when you've got the talent to contend. Currently, the majority of our talent that we'll need to contend is stuck somewhere between Frisco and OKC. I would rather see Botts or Cruz get a real audition during the regular season.

You never really addressed how .389 and 2 K's in 18 AB's doesn't warrant at least one start. By all accounts, Botts has had a great attitude about being moved to 1B.

I wish other teams had the same approach to "big league auditions" that the Rangers have. We could've scored Bonderman for cheap several years ago.

Trying to force Mench on the team at the expense of Botts or Cruz seems short-sighted.

How does Murphy fit into all of this? In spite of being a production machine since being called up, he's been relegated to the fourth spot in the OF since the end of last season. I believe some guys never get the fair shake in Arlington.

And, of course, as I type, Botts gets the start-in left field, no less.

I didn't know Alfonso played first base.

I'm WAAAY done with Jason Botts anyway, so it's no great loss....I think WHOEVER the person that produces should be the one to play. PERIOD. If Cruz and Botts aren't doing it, then bring in Mench.

Several weeks ago, I would be dead against it--I wanted Cruz in right field every day, and let him sink or swim this year. I still think he should be out there, but if keeping Mench because he's producing is the mentality, then I'm all for it.

I'm personally tired, VERY tired, of waiting for 2 or 3 more years for players to make it to the big club and to produce, or for "terrific" Triple A and Mexican League hitters to blossom on the Major League level (Botts). Enough! Bring on the man that is playing the best. That simplifies everything, and it is the right thing to do.

I'm sorry if Cruz doesn't make the club--at one time, he was THE MAN in the Brewer organization. Oh, well, that's the business side of baseball, sports, and life. The ones that produce get to play. That's the way it should work out.

The Rangers should have let Nelson Cruz go after last season. He's only taking someone elses AB's. Sorry but Botts will never make the leap from AAA to MLB. They were never part of the re-building process anyway. They are in no man's land as far as that goes. I wasn't in favor of signing Mench but he is a good right handed DH, which is what he will be primarily used as. If Ponson makes it to the ASB ( big IF )he'll be traded along with Mench. Then we'll see Chris Davis and Hurley and/or Harrison

Well, it's proving more difficult that I'd imagined to get stats from Spring Training, so I'll go with what I've got.

I don't really follow your assertion that Mench is more productive than Botts. You said, "Bring on the man who is playing the best."

Botts - .389 going into today's game

Mench - .261 going into today's game

If you have other stats to back up your production argument, please share.

I'm no Botts apologist, but if you'll look at the trends in his career after making a jump, he takes some time to adjust. Taking that adjustment into consideration, he should start to produce in April or May.

I'd hate to see him do it for an opposing team.

I've got news for Wash - Jason Botts can play the OF just about as good as Kevin Mench, and can play first base - he should be getting the roster spot, not Mench.

But Ron Washington loves Kevin Mench. Just like he loved Sammy Sosa. And nothing will get between Wash and his man-crush.

At this point, all we can do is wish Jason Botts and Nelson Cruz good luck on their new teams, and hope Shrek II is as good as Shrek I.

Sorry, forgot it again:

http://lonestarincalfornia.mlblogs.com/

Whoever thinks the Rangers have a chance at sniffing the playoffs in the next few years with Mench in the lineup is not living in reality. We have seen this dog and pony show in previous years, i.e. sign over-the-hill free agents like Sosa to sell tickets. The only way our Rangers are going to get to the same stratosphere as the Angels, A's, and even Seattle is to develop the talent they have now that are stuck in the Minors. Does anyone remember Travis Hafner, Adrian Gonzalez or Chris Young playing at Arlington? I do, and all three of these guys had the talent to play in the Big's, but were given up on way too early for these over-the-hill players.

All I'm saying is give youth a chance and let them cut their teeth in the Big's. Besides, the only way Botts and Cruz are going to get better is by playing at a talent level better than they are. Does everyone really want to see these two guys be great on another team like the three I mentioned earlier? I sure don't.

Watch it txsuter, they will be gunning for you for bringing up the recent past. I remember Righetti, Darling, Hafner, Gonzalez, Sosa and Alvarez the first go around and a host of many others. We never, or they never learn. They continue to do what it is they do, give up too soon on young players. They justified trading Sosa the first time because of the glut of talent in the outfield Sierra and Juan Gonzalez. I personally believe Juan was the better of those three, but Sosa ended up with the better stats and career. If it weren't for the steroid scandal he is a first ballot hall of fame candidate. That is what i guess i am so frustrated about, it just continues on and on we deal these young players before they take that next step. Who knows if Cruz and Botts will ever take that next step. I just wish if they did, it would be with us. It won't be unfortunately. I love Mench and he deserves his chance, but it doth interfere with the long term plans, if in fact their are any???? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that Adrian Gonzalez was going to be a stud. He was the freaking #1 overall pick in the draft, the second first baseman taken first overall. He wasn't given enough time, he was and is the prototypical first basemen. We didn't know that Texiera would want free agency with Boras as his client? Come on!! So if all of us know then how does the "GM" not know? Is Pudge still catching? We were told he would only catch another 3 years, that was about 10 years ago. Looks like Salt is going to AAA and Teagarden also there. Tea is better than Salt and soothes the stomach, Go Longhorns!

Here is what is going on people. Daniels is secure in his job with his extension. Washington is not secure in his job, must perform, produce wins in order to keep his job. Daniels has found a way to keep his job by dealing for prospects that will hopefully mature in the future. Washington is going to be evaluated on wins and losses this 1/2 of a season. If he starts out slow, then Washington will be fired. The bottom line, is the GM and the Manager are not on the same page. So Washington is either the person to lead a team with young players or he isn't. He should be extended, after all this is DANIELS hire. If Washington fails then Daniels deserves to go with him in my book. But Daniels has distanced himself from Washington and he is reeling. He is being self-protective, and doesn't want to take the fall for Daniels horrific deals. Life isn't fair, Washington has already been set up to take the fall. The only way he can avoid it is to win. Has he looked at his starting pitching? Say goodbye to Mr. Washington, even positive guys go negative once and awhile, ha ha. I love it and can't wait to see the axe fall. I will dance a jig on that day!!! He was the wrong guy at the wrong time, and again Daniels should take the fall. Hillman was passed on because he was too much like Buck. What a joke. Watch and see what he does in KC. The Royals will return to glory before we sniff the playoffs.

rangerfan411

Spring Training stats are available at MLB.com.

Folks, this is but a game. Mench has Major League experience, has proven to be a pretty good outfielder and a fairly decent hitter, though streaky. Botts has never proven to hit in his tours of duty at the Major League level....THUS, Mench is not "blocking the path" of someone not proven at the Major League level. Sure, we could have unproven, raw talent (I'm giving Botts the benefit of the doubt) at every position on the Major League level, and CONSTANTLY be in R-E-B-U-I-L-D-I-N-G mode, but we don't want to say we are rebuilding. I would like to use the term "restocking." Botts Triple A and Mexican League "flashes" are fools gold, as they never translate into Major League success. He cannot play defense better than Mench...all it takes is to watch him the last two years at misplaying singles into doubles and flailing away and overswinging when the situation called for just contact. Enough!

I'm not saying Mench is the savior of the outfield, or in the top 10% of all defensive outfielders...but I can tell you he makes sliding catches, runs into walls, hustles, and produced when he plays the outfield.

The word was that Sammy's signing last year was "blocking the path" for Mr. Botts....Hmmmm....Okay, Sammy only had 21 HR's and drove in only 92 runs in barely 2/3 of the season. Give me that production from ANY player!--I don't care if the player is 19 or 40 for crying out loud. I say, KEEP the productive and out with the unproductive. If anyone can prove Jason Botts is productive at the Major League level, or can prove that he is an extremely competent outfielder, I'd say you'd be pretty hard-pressed to prove those realities.

I personally don't care the age of a player--only if he is productive. Botts is unproven at the Major League level; Mench has proven he is competent offensively and defensively. I'm not making comparisons based solely on this year's Spring Training batting averages, which is not a terrific barometer of a season's overall productivity. I have no "man-crush" on Kevin Mench, I'd rather Nelson Cruz man right field and let him sink or swim this year.

JD can put "prospects" at every position, trade Michael Young, Blalock, Laird, etc...and bring in the "youth." I hope not. I want competence now IN HOPES we might actually win one of these years, not building for sometime in the next 3-4 years. Bring on the productive players, regardless of their age.

If Botts could become a star with someone else, I'm willing to take that chance. If he outperforms Kevin Mench, he should win the job. It's up to our "illustrious" manager and the Ranger "brain trust." Ahhh Sammy, we miss your production--regardless of age.

Like former candidate for the Presidency, Al Smith, said in the 1920's, (when asked about "ifs" and subjective issues)-"Let's look at the record"....Mench is a better major League player, based on the record than Jason Botts. If the reverse were true, I'd be for keeping Botts over Mench. If we could acquire Magglio Ordonez or Carlos Beltran, I'd take them, based on production at the Major League level, but I don't see that. So, I guess "Shrek" is it, based on the record.

To bingosinatra:

Amen on Mench.

Amen on Sosa.

bingo,

I can't seem to follow your logic. You want the most productive player. Albeit a small sample, it's currently Botts.

What I really don't understand is that you argue for Mench based on history, but then make a statement about pining for Cruz sinking or swimming. You're contradicting yourself.

With your "taking the best production available for this season" approach, our minor league talent will never get the chance to prove themselves because we'll continue chasing our tails with free-agents. At some point you have to take some chances on unknowns. Otherwise, we'll continue to be the Texas Rangers: Farm System of the MLB.

I love rangerfan, what is this organization afraid of? It touts it's farm system, yet doesn't give any of them a chance to play up here? Mendoza, Hurley, Teagarden, Metcalf if he wasn't hurt, and Duran are probably pretty dang close to playing in the majors. Bite the freaking bullet put them in. What do we have to lose other than an manager who is what he is. Since when do the needs of the manager come before the long term stability of a franchise? Wash and Daniels are not on the same page. Are they even talking to each other? Wash is a goner. I love Mench, predicted he would be on the team, opening day right fielder. What i am against is Cruz and Botts leaving. Who knows if they can play? I don't believe they have received enough of a chance. Does anyone on here want Botts and or Cruz to go somewhere else and become a Travis Hafner? I don't. We are close to finding out if Cruz and or Botts can play, but they have to play. They both need to play alot this year but it isn't going to happen. Botts was moved to first base, then back to left field. Looks like he is being showcased. It is too early to give up on him. Once he gets consistent playing time at the major league level then and only then can you make a decision on either one of them. All young players struggle from AAA to MLB, even Texiera, and Adrian Gonzales. What are we trying to do this year? Angels, Tigers, Red Sox, Indians and or Yankees. Rangers no where to be seen. Does a 3rd place finish really mean anything if we don't find long term solutions and answers to who is going to help us what has no become 5 years down the road? Are Mench whom i love, Broussard, Bradley, Millwood, Ponson, Padilla, Catalanotto, and Laird going to be on this team in 5 years contributing to a winner? No. So start trying to find who our pitchers are on that team, Harrison, Hurley, Mendoza, Gabbard, Position players like Teagarden, Duran, Davis, Metcalf, Andrus, Hamilton, and Kinsler. Those names are the names of the future. So freaking play them.

Hey bingo, re-stocking implies that the Rangers have something to sell, a product. The only thing that they are selling is corporate seats, sponsorships and beer. By the way, it should be Sinatrabingo. The only person that the Chairman of the board takes a back seat to, is Elvis Presley! That old black magic!!! The record shows, i took the blows and did it my way!!!

This was in the newspaper for those who missed it. I was in a bar and asked the waitress to bring me a large pitcher of beer. I was shocked when my order arrived as it was Sidney Ponson. Of course the punch line could have been Vincente Paidwella.

rangerfan,

No contradiction in the least. Mench has proven to produce IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES. Botts can't hit his weight ONCE HE ARRIVES in the Major Leagues. No contradiction.

I want the best man for the job--be it Mench, Cruz or even Botts. All I'm saying is that Mench has proven himself with the Rangers as reliable, and very productive at times, although streaky. Botts, given his time, has not hit as well as Mario Mendoza. Anyone with Bott's superlative hulk of a body, and his look of a major leaguer, who at almost 28, is probably not going to be the player some believe. Cruz, too is 27-ish, I believe, and I too, believe this of him.

I stated correctly that Nelson Cruz is my choice to play every day at the Major League level, and let him sink or swim. Last season, he was demoted to clear his head, and, with some tutelage, adjusted his swing and stance, and came back to hit 2 homeruns in his first game back against the Royals. I'd say Cruz is at least trying to adjust to be the player the Brewers thought he would be when we "lifted" him from them in the Carlos Lee deal. And he has a good arm for right field, and is a most competent fielder. This cannot be said about Jason Botts--whether it's about his making any adjustments, or his being able to play outfield, or anywhere, for that matter.

As to Mench, I'd rather see Cruz, I'm clear on that, "The Youth." BUT, Mench is a proven Major Leaguer, whereas certainly Botts is not, assuredly. Realistically, Cruz is not going to be given the chance, so that leaves only Kevin "Shrek" Mench as the only competent fielding and hitting outfielder we have in right (unless of course Milton Bradley is tagged as the starter).

Therefore, there is no contradiction in the least. I'm for "YOUTH" (Cruz), but realistic enough to know he isn't going to get the starting spot, despite his adjustments in batting and his far superior arm, legs, and glove, to Jason Botts. That only leaves Kevin Mench.

No contradictions. Like Walter Brennan used to say in the "Guns of Will Sonnett" TV Western in the 70's, "No brag, just fact." Mench is Wash's guy, that's fact-so let's go with it.

As to my good pal dwiregod, I'm in the Bing Crosby fan club, and think Sinatra should thank his lucky stars Bing preceded him, because when Frank started singing for Harry James Orchestra, he copied Bing (as all other singers and crooners did), and in Frank's autobiography (and on countless TV documentaries and other books), Frank called Bing "The Father of his career".....Thus, Bing should be placed #1, and Frank #2. But we could debate that elsewhere. ***A side piece of trivia for one and all that care about such topics: Name the singer who replaced Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, when Frank went on to sing solo......Give up.....

"Gunsmoke's" own Festus, Ken Curtis. That blew me away when I discovered that fact.

Sorry to go on a tangent, but I thought that was interesting. Happy Palm Sunday to all this Sunday.

See them tumbling down, I'll be rolling along, deep in my heart is a song, drifting along, drifting along with the tumbling tumble weeds. Sons of the Pioneers, "Festus" or Ken Curtis was also in this group. I think the tumbling down could be a metaphor for the Texas Rangers. See them tumbling down?????? Where we remain. Bing was great singer but evidently a miserable human being. But hey he could sing, not much has changed. Mench is the Marketing clubs guy, over 3,000 people voted that he should get the 25th spot. On this team he is a starter forget 25th spot. At least Mench has had some success in the majors. But is still don't see what the philosophy is. Daniels says one thing, brings in Broussard, Mench, Guardado and Bradley all in their 30's i do believe. I think it is apparent to everyone on this blog, that i want to rebuild, scrap it, pitch our young guys get rid of Young, Millwood, Padilla, Cat, Broussard, Bradley, Mench and Laird. Play Duran, Davis, Teagarden and any other young guys that are going to help us for what is looking like 5 years from now. It will be even longer if we don't start rebuilding now. Since we started with a song how about Queens' Another One Bites the Dust when referring to our starting pitchings. At this rate all we will have left is two boilermakers left, Ponson and Padilla for the uninformed!!!

I wanted to use, "We are the Champions, but alas that would not have been appropriate. What have we won? What is the plan to win? We never address our pitching needs in the winter. We trade a lot of it, but never do we obtain any. In the Dallas Morning News today they said that if Millwood, Jennings and Padilla pitched up to their 2006 stats that would be 40 wins, if they pitched up to 2007 stats it would be 18 wins. Does anyone on here think we are going to get 40 wins out of those guys? We probably won't be as low as 18 wins if they are healthy. As in all things lets split the difference, go to the midpoint, 25 wins sounds about right, maybe 30 if we are lucky. It is all about the pitching, get rid of Millwood and Padilla and start pitching Harrison, Murray, Mendoza, Mathis, Gabbard, Feldman and any other young pitcher that can help us. Develop our pitchers. Pay your dues and we will reap the benefits.