Jennings starting on Thursday

Is this rock bottom yet?

I bet it's Murray, but if they're going to go to the trouble of dropping somebody from the 40 to bring up Sir Sidney I'd rather they just go with Doug Mathis instead. He's been rock solid and he get more than twice as many groundball outs as fly outs. If they're that unhappy with Mendoza going to the mound with a bum shoulder then might they put him on the 60 day DL to open up a spot on the 40?

I don't blame Mendoza for going out there hurt. It's a damned if you do and damned if you don't situation. He's a rookie trying to make a name for himself. If he says his shoulder is sore, he's going to the DL and back to the minors, so he guts it up, goes out there and tries to get through it and gets lit up like a Christmas tree and now he's viewed as selfish and putting himself ahead of the team. The fact that he was truthfull in admitting that he was hurt before instead of during the start speaks to his character. I hope he's back and healthy soon.

Anyone have any questions about our pitching coach? Doesn't seem to me like he has done anything in his time here to improve the guys we have had. Kam Loe goes to AAA last year and comes back pitching pretty well after an adjustment from the pitching coach there. How come we can't get that at the big league level? Jaramillo works with Gary Matthew Jr. for a couple of years and he makes an all-star team and lands a huge contract for himself. Granted Gary might have had some outside help for those improved home run totals but. . . Hey, Jaramillo got Byrd to hit .300. Now thats what I call coaching. How come Connor can't work a few of these minor miracles? Just a thought.

You're exactly right on Mendoza, hefe. If he toughs it out and is successful, then he is doing what is expected. If he toughs it out and stinks, then he is hurt and should have spoken up. If he doesn't tough it out he's soft. What's a guy to do?

And so now we enter what is referred to as the carousel period, where our rotation remains in flux due to health and the bullpen is worn beyond a frazzle. Looks like good ol' TBA will be showing up on the schedule pitching for the team soon. We've done this the last several years. I am afraid I have to add this to my list of JD shortcomings - the inability to stop this carousel. I agree with the philosophy, but the execution and decisions are lacking. Heck the guy tried to trade for Santana, but unfortunately he couldn't close the deal. We see the problem, but we seem helpless to solve it. JD also needs to start getting more calls right than what he has recently. Not like when Galarraga goes 5+ scoreless for Detroit while Nippert, who effectively got his roster spot, gives up 8 runs on the same day. It simply doesn't reflect well, no matter how much one wants to support the guy.

Given what we have, my hope is that we keep Hurley in OKC until the ASB or until he is ready to come up and stay up. Then we stick with him as he struggles and we keep him up. Please do not send him up and down and back again.

The fact that we are still posting given the team's recent performance shows that we are committed as fans. Let's see some committment to the players who are going to be the future of the team.

I think it is rock bottom. How much lower can we go our winning percentage is in the .318. Wow! Last night had to be totally demoralizing for this team. They get a 5 run lead, CAN"T HOLD IT and lose. Ha ha. That can have a snowballing effect which i believe is going on. These players act like the other team should just FOLD as they do when they get behind. It is ridiculous, the game is 9 innings long. Have some pride, be a COMPETITOR. Washington looks shell shocked and surprised that he is a failure. What in his past ever indicated that he could manage? Was he really that responsible for the Oakland A's defensive success? They seem to be ok without him. I have been asking this question from day one? Why did we hire this guy when no one else wanted him as a manager, including his own team? I know the answer from Daniels standpoint, he wanted someone he could push around and not be afraid of. It is ridiculous! Hire someone with a freaking track record in the not too distant future PLEASE. I think Grover is the guy, who else is there? Is Fregosi lurking? Is Hart still lurking? What is Hart's influence in this process, is there any?

This is another problem for this organization. We told Feldman he was a starter, now he is called up to relieve? Which is it. The biggest mistake that Washington did here as a manager was his failure to go with a set lineup. He is constantly moving his outfielders around. One night it is left field, next night it is right field, the next center field. Get a core group of guys and play them in set positions. This probably comes from him being a utility player and wanting to get these guys some playing time. But i don't believe that to be a good approach. The Boston Red Sox usually have Manny Ramirez in LF every freaking game. He may get a day off, but he doesn't get moved around to all 3 outfield positions. Who else is doing what Washington does, a different lineup every freaking night.

Off today and watching Rangers lose again. In the bottom of 6th inning a Tiger hits one over the fence in right field. Hamilton begins to argue and there is no manager around. No where to be seen. Wash finally comes out, stands around on the field, appearing to be lost as the umpires conference. As my Daddy says, Wash looks like he has his thumb up his Donkey as he mills around. Finally a few cordial words then he trots off the field. Can you imagine Martin, Weaver, Anderson, La Sorda, La Russa, Leyland, Pinella any of the other great managers acting in this manner. No they would have been out there trying to light a fire under his team. The replay clearly shows that it was a home run. However, that is not the point. The point is he should have been out of the dugout pleading our case. Oh well, no matter what is the difference between a 5 or 6 run lead. Apathetic is the word, i am looking for. Washington looked like he wasn't paying attention and was told by someone in the dugout to get out there and defend your player. You better get out there before Ham gets thrown out. A day late and a dollar short. Fukumori was getting high praise from Grieve and Lewin just before he gave up back to back home runs. I thought the bullpen was a strength of this team. The Torch Club burns another one down. Courtney where are you? Defend Mr. Washington. Time for Mr. Washington goes to New Orleans! I really feel sorry for this guy.

“We told Feldman he was a starter, now he is called up to relieve?” – The role of young pitcher is rarely static. That’s a baseball thing, not a Rangers thing. Why are you so fixated on the role a pitcher is given at any particular time? I remember the hissy you threw this spring when A.J. Murray was placed in rotation. Oh, my how the sky did fall that day.

They need an extra arm in the bullpen. Feldman has been solid, he’s here now. Why don’t you go ask Scott if he’s upset about being called up to pitch out of the bullpen? With all the things this club is doing horribly how do you make this trivial issue one of your whining points?

“He is constantly moving his outfielders around.” – That’s because of health and effectiveness. Bradley’s surgically repaired knees won’t allow him to play the OF every day so he DH’s quite a bit. Hamilton missed time last year with hamstring trouble and is a 240 pound guy playing the most demanding OF position. Might not be a bad idea to get him some rest once in a while in RF or DH. Cat and Botts are limited to LF because the stink at it. The Rangers have the luxury of having a guy like David Murphy who can fill in at CF and be and excellent corner man when they need him to play there.

“The Boston Red Sox usually have Manny Ramirez in LF every freaking game.” – They use him in left because he stinks and they already have Ortiz at DH. It’s odd how you can follow the outfield of an opposing team, but not the infield. If you were able to you’d realize that they’re playing a shell game with Lowell, Youkilis, Casey, and Lowrie between first and third much like what you’re describing as a problem for the Rangers OF.

“Who else is doing what Washington does, a different lineup every freaking night.” – We just recently played a four game series with the Red Sox and they never used the same lineup twice. So, I guess that answer to that question is Terry Francona.

Every game that Michael Young and Ian Kinsler have started they’ve hit #1 and #2 respectively. Josh Hamilton is the three hole in every game he’s played. Once Bradley showed he was healthy he’s hit cleanup if he’s in the lineup. Hank takes the cleanup spot on Bradley’s days off (although I guess if it were up to you we’d run him out there on his bad knee to RF every night for consistency sake) otherwise he’s hit 5th every game. Murphy has been out there pretty much every day in the 6th or 7th spot. Oh, the maddening inconsistency! Sometimes Ian needs a day off and Cat can fill in at the leadoff spot like today. That’s the least of this clubs concerns.

Hey, "mrhallway," have you seen how Kam is doing this year at AAA? An ERA of 5.68, more walks that strikeouts and opponents are hitting .314 off him. Maybe it's less to do with the pitching coach and more to do with Kam being very, very bad at baseball if his sinker isn't working.

Thanks for taking him on today Hefe...I just didn't have the patience to deal with him. D'god evidentially thinks Ron Washington is the pitcher who gave up what...27 runs yesterday and today! Take your librium or atabuse D'god...everything will be better tomorrow if you do. Unfortunately for the Rangers pitching will probably be about the same which is why most of us picked them to play sub 500 ball. We knew this was coming but I never thought the hitters would be this flat. Come on guys...Michael or Hank call a club house meeting and straighten this out. Wish Will Clark was still playing he'd tear um a new one.

When will this train wreck that is my Rangers team right itself? Wow. 7 game streak.
Washington, you, my friend are not a leader. You seem to be one of those parents who is the kids best friend rather than a parent. The players do not respect him.
Daniels, this kid needs to leave the GM position to somebody that knows how to make trades. The majors is not the place to learn.
Its starting to look like Hicks is simply using this team for his taxes.
Lets cut the baggage in the form of all the over-the hill veterans. CAT!!!
As a fan, I do not have a problem with the record if I knew that we were in a rebuilding year.( or three) My problem is the fact that nobody wants to rebuild. We have nothing to look forward to in the years ahead.
Pitching, well that is simply the same old story.

Hey, Hefe, you don't have to tell me how lousy Kam Loe's sinker is, I've seen it in action. Yet, wasn't he a Ranger's Minor League Pitcher of the Year some time back? You have to admit he did come back from a brief stint in OKC throwing better last year, without pitching a single inning there. A simple adjustment to his delivery made him better. What has Connor done for any of our pitchers other than make Feldman, who I am not a fan of, go to a sidearm delivery this offseason only to have him change it to become a starter? Great, it'll be fun watching major league hitters launch rockets over the wall for 3+ innings of work instead of the usual 1/3 inning of work Feldman usually gives us. I know, I know, Connor doesn't get to work with much as this is the Texas Rangers pithing staff he has to work with but if Rudy can get two throwaways like Matthews and Byrd to be highly coveted in the offseason I call that good coaching. Work on technique, stressing fundamentals etc. . . I'll give you that there is lesser talent in our pitching corps but results are the only overall proving ground for how effective a major league coach or any professional coach is. Having said all of that I agree that these players have to perform on their own at some point, maybe Kam Loe is a bad example. . .ah forget it, all the Rangers are bad examples right now!

Lets just get rid of all the coaching staff except Rudy and also through out Danials. If the Tuna can go to Miami and clean house to try and make the club respectable again. Then why doesn't Nolan do the same thing. He could bring up all of the AAA coaches and be a lot better off. How about Grady Fusion as GM (u know some who actually knows about baseball) seemed to do a pretty good job while helping Billy Bean. Oh wait, we got rid of him to go with Danials.

Attack Washington and Daniels and not me PLEASE. This isn't a court of law where the facts really get distorted. Isn't it true Ron Washington that you are in over your head? Isn't it true Jon Daniels that you too are in over your head. IF NOLAN doesn't step to the plate and hit a home run and fire both of these guys by the weekend and we get swept we are headed to a winning percentage of .269 7-19. EMBARASSING! ISN"T IT TRUE THAT WASHINGTON'S TEAMS DIGRESS IN ITS SECOND SEASON. WE are about to find out what role Nolan is playing. The Torch Club and the failure to hit with runners in scoring position is killing us. A key indication that Ron hasn't gotten through with working the count. Today the bases are loaded the pitcher had walked like 6 batters and was having difficulty throwing strikes. Murphy had a 3-1 count and swung at a ball. He eventually walked and tied the game. YOU HAVE TO TAKE THAT PITCH. That is fundamental baseball. WE aren't strong up the middle, don't play good defense, don't hit with runners in scoring position and our bullpen is the torch club. That really isn't the managers fault, but he has lost this team. Saturday April 26th mark it on your calendar it is Termination day.

Heard Hank and Mike called a club house meeting and it turned into a discussion on how to get off of this sinking ship known as the U.S.S. Washington. Does anyone else remember the crap the organization including Washington was slinging about we had the best record in the second half of last season? Something about how the players really bought into his system and turned it around. All i have to say about that is ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...... You can't believe what they say. Bring on Davis, trade or cut Broussard. Bring on Salt, trade Laird. Bring up Duran and play Kinsler in the outfield. I want to hear the word REBUILD and we are going to hear it. This team is hitting rock bottom in spite of all of Daniels desire to win this year. Washiton and Daniels tried to compete this year, it didn't work and now is the time to hear the word from Nolan, R E B U I L D. Lets say it together, R E B U I L D. I like the fact that this is going to be forced upon them. It is the only thing that we can do. The Cinco were right to begin with, now the cinco is more than cinco. I like the fact that other reasonable people are blogging with some logic. Courtney where are you? Your boy is a player. I still wouldn't have traded that 3-0 starter named Volquez who may in fact win 12 to 15 games for him. But at least Ham is doing well.

They should look at trading these players by All Star Break or next week after Wash and Dan are fired: Young, Laird, Bradley, Cat, Broussard, Padilla and Millwood. Millwood and Padilla are pitching well hopefully we can get something for those guys, dump some salary and REBUILD. Newsflash BROUSSARD can't hit left handed pitching!

d'god here's an idea. How about we just DFA everybody on the 40-man that has more than 6mos time on the big club and bring everybody up from Clinton. NOBOBY is going to take Young in a trade when he is in the first year of an $80M 5 year deal, without laying out his salary for it all (i.e. Alex Rodriguez). Why would you want to dump Millwood? He has had nothing but quality starts this season, except when he got beaned in the LAA game. His loss are the result of poor defense and lack of run support. I for one was not impressed with Salty last season, and believe he is where he needs to be to learn his craft. And as for Volquez, he was dropped all the way to A-ball last year ad had to work his way back. And just like your boy Botts, and Cruz, could NOT perform when he got back to Arlington in September. But as usual you're BS is way off base. The ONLY thing that you and I have ever agreed on is that Wash and JD have to go.
But that's just my opinion.

Great news!

It appears Jarrod Saltalamacchia is headed for Arlington, after Adam Melhuse bruised or broke his hand today in Detroit.

http://lonestarincalifornia.wordpress.com/2008/04/24/salty-on-his-way-back-to-the-bigs/

Hopefully, this will be a permanent move and Ron Washington will PLAY HIM.

http://lonestarincalifornia.wordpress.com/

I hope that speculation about Saltalamacchia is true and that he'll be in the lineup on a consistent basis. Max Ramirez need a promotion to OKC too. He's tearing the Texas league up.

What you talking bout Willis? You illustrate my point about Volquez exactly. He went all the way down to Class A last year, pitched his butt off, worked his way back to the major leagues, TURNED THE CORNER, TOOK THE NEXT STEP and you deal him? This after he was marketed as DVD the future? Hamilton is a good player, but if Volquez turns into a 12 to 15 game perennial winner for the next 10 years what does it matter if Ham hits .290 on a cellar dwellar? Right Fielders are a dime a dozen. We have been down this road before with a high powered offense. The bottom line is it is about the pitching and you don't trade it, especially the top prospects. Danks also evidently turned the corner last year for the White Sox. Those are the two cornerstones of this franchise is it any wonder we stink? But hey, at least Daniels and Wash had fun. At what point does either of those guys get so embarassed and just freaking quit?