Monday Morning Manager...King Oscar

1. Sexson overreacted. Can't judge intent, but the pitch wasn't that close.
2. Obviously can't continue that kind of a run, but it was great while it lasted. Pitching does seem much improved. Now if we can just tighten up the defense and strengthen the bottom of the batting order.
3. A rookie mistake and Daniels has been at this long enough he shouldn't be making those. You don't leave a manager twisting in the wind. Let Wash see what he can do the rest of the year.
4. Not the answer now and certainly won't be in that future we're building for. The Diamondbacks haven't been afraid to throw young players into the heat of MLB and let them develop and it's a strategy that has started working for them the past two years. (Davis, Mayberry, ....????)
5. I don't see a place for Byrd in the OF, but maybe we could package him for a prospect.

1. Sexson was completely out of line. I guess he figured that was the only way he would get a hit in.
2. It's been fun to watch. But, we can't expect it to keep up.
3. Daniels needs to be in constant review of every situation. I'm tired of his antics.
4. Can't stress enough about how these two do not fit in here. Send them both packing. It's only a matter of time before we see a call up here.
5. Byrd caught some tough luck early, and had unfortunate timing with the injury. Our outfield went from ? in the off-season, to stacked now. We have an oppurtunity to deal something here. We have the capacity to deal one of these guys for more young pitching - let's do it.

1. Wouldn’t say he threw “at” him – but it did appear that he was “sending a message” with that pitch. Boys will be boys – baseball shoving matches (can’t really call them fights) are useless – and please don’t tell me about how they are morale boosters. You know what are real morale boosters: W’s, team W-L records over .500, ERA’s under 2.00 and lots and lots of RBIs with runners in scoring position– those are much bigger morale boosters and way more important than any baseball fight will ever be.

2. Let’s see, the “ace” of the staff right now is Vincente Padilla, the rest of the staff consists of a pitcher who didn’t have a job in Spring Training (Ponson) another who just came off the DL and now is sporting nagging problems from a shoving match (Gabbard). The 4th and 5th spot are now being manned by the bullpen and the I-35 shuttle from OKC – while the “mainstay” of the rotation is on the DL (Millwood) another might be coming off the DL (Mendoza) and the other makes his permanent home on the DL (Justin Thompson….er I mean Brandon McCarthy). Color me skeptical – and call this a temporary respite.

3. I defer to these two paragraphs Jamey Newberg’s fine report today –

"Look, I don't know whether Washington is the right manager for this team.But do know that there's only one real Rangers story at the moment, at least at the big league level, and that's the five straight series wins and phenomenal pitching this club is getting despite a crazy number of days lost to the disabled list, not the manipulated creation of an hourglass that apparently doesn't really exist.

But of course it's the latter that makes us talk about newspaper writers as opposed to the stories they write .....and that feeds talk show energy, which, I suppose by design, makes the writer himself more of a talking point today than Josh Hamilton or Milton Bradley or Brandon Boggs or Doug Mathis. Irritating."

Sports talk radio is a waste of the airwaves.

4. I have no problem with the Frank Catalanotto portion of the platoon… no comment on the other portion.

5. Interesting dilemma – does the “short leash” method of evaluation apply to this situation – like it did at 1B? Does Marlon get his job back – but allowed only a limited number of AB’s to produce – just like Botts and Broussard?

1. Sexson completely overracted to a high pitch over the middle of the plate and then claimed that up to that point Gabbard had had "pin-point control." If his control was so fine then wouldn't a purpose pitch at least have been off the plate to the inside? Also, you don't give free passes to guys hitting .209. Still not sure what Felix Hernandez was so upset about, he was the one actually hitting batters out there.

2. I think we saw the real Ponson yesterday, unfortunately. Feldman is probably a typical sinker baller who, when is sinker is working is going to be effective, and when it isn't is going to get hit. I think this staff can be solid, but not consistently as good as they've were during the 5 game win streak.

3. I think he's saying it's a long season and there's no reason to make sweeping changes just because the team was bad for most of the first 3 and a half weeks.

4. It's fine as a one years stop-gap, but I'd rather see a young player there in September with an eye toward winning the job in '09.

5. He should platoon with David Murphy (.204 against lefties) and spell Boggs, Hamilton and Bradley as necessary.

1. Tom Grieve said it all. I just hope Padilla keeps putting up zeroes in the box score and does not try to get even today. Padilla is on a roll right now and we need to keep him in the rotation and not on suspension.

2. I think if the Rangers find the right 5 they can have an OK staff. I always thought their starters could keep them in most games and the bullpen would have to be good. I don't think the slow start was due to the pitching.

3. Put it to rest. I do not think Washington is right for the job, but the team is playing good.

4. If we are rebuilding then bring up Chris Davis. I'll take the strikeouts for the power.

5. How can you not go with Hamilton, Boggs, and Murphy. Tell me that and I'll then believe Byrd has a spot on the team.

1. I thought Laird wanted him hit and that's as close as Gabbard wanted to come.
2. Nobody's pitching is that good, but they are better than what they showed in April.
3. With the way things have gone in the last few weeks, that sounds like the wise thing to do. They still don't know for sure what they've got with this team. The Rangers may be able to contend.
4. If they show nothing by the All Star break, move Chris Davis up and let him get started.
5. Nothing for now. Let Marlin earn his way back into the starting lineup. Boggs is playing too good to take him out.

1. I give Sexson the benefit of the doubt. I have had a child in the hospital and experienced the feeling of not being able to do anything. The frustration is unbearable. Let's all say a prayer for his child, let him serve his suspension and get on with the season.
2. The ranger run of good pitching is for real. The pitchers are not looking over the over their shoulder after every mistake. They seem to be trusting their stuff more. They seem to be more willing to throw the pitch (slider, curve, fastball etc.) regardless of the outcome the last time they threw it.
3. Nothing. Ask me at the all-star break.
4. I would rather see Cat and Gold. It would be nice to see what Gold can bring to the table. We will need a right handed bat to spell Davis when he arrives.
5. Byrd is a needed right handed bat. Five man rotation through three outfield and DH. Cat will have to get his ABs at first.

1. Sexson overreacted. No, but Gabbard can pitch.
2. Temporary, they can't stay healthy enough.
3. Why is Dan saying anything, is he in charge? Who is?
4. I want salty playing first when he isn't catching. Frank is too small, but he has to play there.
5. Byrd can play especially since Murphy is starting to cool against left handed hitters, which isn't surprising.

"We all sleep safe in our beds because there are rough MEN who stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." Orwell

1. Sexson is a gigantic D-Bag. He should habe gotten a 2-week suspension for using his helmet as a weapon.

2. Lets see... Sidney Ponson and Scott Feldman are the #3 and #5 starters... Millwood just went on the DL, leaving Padilla as our #1 starter... Gabbard is Gabbard... yeah, this is temporary.

3. I think Washington should have been fired a long time ago. He's a crappy manager, whether we are winning or losing.

4. That's the way it should be. Shelton can be a third catcher when Salty DH's, and Catalanotto is currently our best option to get offense out of 1B. I don't see the infatuation with Nate Gold - his minor league numbers aren't anything special, and he's never seen any time in the bigs - I don't see what makes him a better placeholder than Shelton.

5. Byrd can be the 4th OF. Brandon Boggs is a player, as is Murphy - you can't send either one anyplace. Byrd's a career 4th OF anyway, so it's not like that will be anything new.

http://lonestarincalifornia.wordpress.com/

1. I understand he's frustrated, but Sexson looked very foolish. You have to pick your battles better than that. Lucky Gabbard didn't get hurt any worse.
2. Hopefully they're working towards being consistently average. Don't confuse them with an elite pitching staff.
3. I think Washington is now in play, and there's a serious question in management minds that he's the manager to lead them to being competitive.
4. Catalanotto is a professional hitter and doesn't embarrass anyone at 1st. OK, he can't stretch like McCovey, but he's fine until Davis is ready or there's an offer Daniels can't refuse. Shelton or Gold, whoever is playing better, for the time being.
5. Agree with Jon that Byrd becomes the 4th OF. That's what the Rangers need anyway (as do the Cubs), a right handed 4th OF who can play all three positions. This is why he wasn't traded.

1.Sexton was gonna charge the mound on any pitch HE thought was close...The mariners were pissed cuz someone was talking trash about the butt whupping that was gettin laid down...
2.Right now the Rangers have a group of pitch-to-contact ground ball pitchers as starters instead strike-out pitchers..they will do well against free swinging teams and have to really work against work-the-count teams...I think they can continue to be successful if they can get healthy.
3.Local press doing the Cowboy/Maverick routine on him...write a bunch of op pieces and keep pounding him for a comment on the reporter's speculation then attribute the story back to management.
4.So far seems to be working defensively---as long as these two contibute a little at the plate since the power hitting is coming from the middle infield and the oufield...still would like to see what Gold could do before Davis comes up and takes over...Last time--Botts was not nor will ever be a first baseman at the major league level...lineman in the AFL maybe...
5.Bradley doesn't seem to be ready any time soon to play the field so Byrd as a 4th outfielder in a rotation would save some tired legs and bats....

1. Premeditated move by Sexton. Throwing at him - no, throwing near him, yes.
2. I'm enjoying the good pitching while it lasts. The team gave up 12 last night.
3. It's fine with me if JD wants to let RW go at the ASB.
4. I am not a fan of platoons - especially on a team that is rebuilding. Roster flexibility is sacrificed, too. I'd rather see Botts or maybe even Gold full-time for the rest of the year. If they can't adjust to the ML given regular at bats and playing time by the end of the year, then release them and let's move on.
5. I'm with peachy, with MB as the full-time DH.

1) If Gabbard tried to hit Sexson, he missed. Sexson is 6'8" and a big target, so Gabbard is ineffectual if he wants to move Sexson off the plate. By the way, for a guy like Sexson, a poor man's Dave Kingman who whiffs with great regularity and hits about .220, then Gabbard should just let him flail away--he probably couldn't hit it anyway.

2) The Rangers pitching is what it is: Each game, inning by inning, pitch by pitch. I'm hoping it's not ephemeral and fleeting, because, frankly, as a longtime loyal fan of the good ol' Texas Rangers, the current pitching situation is downright WONDERFUL! Let's not jinx it by even mentioning it over and over--okay Josh Lewin??? Let a good thing continue without beating it to death.

3) JD is the General Manager. Despite an absolutely awful start, they have played pretty solid since. Let's not get too reactive, stay on the plan. I'm glad Ron Washington wasn't sacrificed early on--I think he is "getting it." (SLOWLY to be sure.)

4) I've mentioned it and suggested it and pushed it, but the platoon--whether the ineffective Ben Broussard, Chris Shelton or Catalanotto, THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER! Salty needs to learn the position, get defensive tutelege from a Steve Smith-type fielding guru (who helped turn a marginal fielding third baseman like Mark Texiera) and made him an All-Star and Gold Glover. We traded for Salty as the star of the Braves farm system, in exchanging Tex for Salty, and Salty is obviously primed to start EVERY day at a position, and I submit if Tex can do it, then another power-hitting/switch-hitting stud like Tex was, then Salty can absolutely SOLVE the black hole at first, and all the rotations, manuverings, and this will let the more competent Gerald Laird to be happy, produce, throw runners out, and let Salty flourish, just like Tex did, and grew to All-Star status. ***For you naysayers who say that Chris Davis is around the corner and that Salty will "block" Davis' path to first base--I say "RUBBISH!" Can we depend on Chris Davis, or John Mayberry, Jr, or Nate Gold to "EVENTUALLY" be ready, when Salty is ready and on the cusp of breaking through now, on the Major League team? I say put Salty at first, and he can produce for the next 10-12 years and become everything Tex was, and more. This solves the "Gerald Laird at catcher" question that management stupidly keeps in flux, and it solves the first base situation for the next decade or more....or until Tom Hicks refuses to pay him what he's worth. Salty at first solves so many things, and if Taylor Teagarden, or a host of other catching prospects is about to arrive, then Salty would be in jeopardy once again at the catching position. Let's get this decision behind us JD, Ron, Nolan...etc. Salty at first, Laird at catcher. Shelton and Cat, God love 'em, are expendable. Salty is indispensible. He will be a verifiable stud. He will be a better first baseman with his size, and please, bring a Steve Smith back to teach him to play first, a la Tex.

5) Just because Marlon is re-joining the Major League team doesn't mean that Josh Hamilton, David Murphy or Brandon Boggs can't continue playing very well in the outfield, and producing the current winning trend we've experienced with Marlon Byrd out. I love Marlon, but, with him in there, we weren't exactly setting the world on fire. I'm for dancing with who brung you. We are dancing very fine right now, so let's not change anything just because Marlon is ready. Spot start him, or occasionally DH him.

1-If Gabbard was throwing at Sexson, he did a great job of acting like he wasn't. Sexson was looking for it and thought he was the target of retaliation. We'll see how "hold me back" Felix goes tonight. Maybe Nolan Ryan will jump out of his box seat and do a Robin Ventura on him.
2- They've given up 21 earned runs the last two games. They seem to be permanently temporary.
3-I'm glad he finally said something. If they go back to playing like they did in April it will be difficult for him to keep his promise.
4-It seems to be working. Somebody has to play there. I wonder when they will promote Chris Davis to AAA.
5-With the bad start he had in April, I think he needs to prove himself again. Keep him in Oklahoma until he does. The outfield is in good shape right now. If it ain't broke don't fix it. PS EMC The "short leash" method of evaluation doesn't apply to Marlon Byrd, he has a track record of being a productive major league player. Jason Botts has a track record of struggling. Broussard was at one time but squandered his chance to be a regular on this team.

1. Said it before, that was the lamest thing I 've seen a player pull for a while. Rates up there with some of A-Rod's antics like slapping at the glove of the first baseman

2. Pitching in some pitcher's parks on the road probably helped, but I'll take what I can get. If they are going to be streaky lets hope we can just outscore the other guys when the pitching staff isn't on.

3. The dreaded "Vote of Confidence"... Although I've always held that the ASB/Non-waiver deadline should be the point where changes are made if it is going to happen.

4. They have already been more productive than what we started the year with. They will probably do a decent job keeping the position warm until we get somebody ready.

5. I think someone else already said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" However, we really don't have a fourth outfielder right now with the way the lineups have been going. Bradley is just a DH right now, he was even pulled form last night's game. Questions, Questions, Questions about his legs and knees. Cat's in the 1B platoon, Duran really should not be in OF. Boggs needs to stay, AND DON"T SEND HIM DOWN WHEN HE SLUMPS---COMPLETELY WRONG MESSAGE!!!! Looks to me like Metcalf is the odd man out since he needs to play himself into shape. Duran goes out when Hank gets back.

1. Sexson was acting like a man trying to desperately hang on to career that is barely hanging on by a string.
2. I fully expect the roller coaster to continue
3. Whatever, is it 2010 yet?
4. pretty weak
5. Nothing. Marlon Byrd should be in OKC

Pinch hitting Byrd (fresh off the DL) with bases loaded and one out? Good idea benching a suddenly clutch Vazquez for a guy who hasn't seen big-league pitching in weeks and was batting .125 before going on the DL.

What does Washington have against the sac bunt? Late in the game, Salty on first with no outs. Why aren't we bunting to move the runner!?! You're right, the odds are pretty low that Shelton will hit into a double play. *sarcasm*

Kudos to the players for doing everything they can to win despite the best effort of the manager to lose. Walk-off HRs are simply the band-aid covering Washington's festering inability to make intelligent calls.

Ramon Vasquez has a career OPS under .500 against lefties and Rhodes had always dominated against them. If that's not a situation for Marlon Byrd to be in the game then he doesn't belong on the roster.