New DMN newsletter up
by Adam J. Morris on May 7, 2008 10:39 AM CDT
75 comments
Evan Grant has a new DMN newsletter up, with a lot of good stuff this week...
The thing that really jumped out at me, though, was this item on Ben Broussard and Ron Washington:
From the time the Rangers decided to deal Mark Teixeira last summer, Broussard was Ron Washington's choice as a successor. Maybe that's because Broussard made a favorable impression while hitting .282 with four homers against Washington's Oakland team in 71 at-bats over the two years before he was hired to manage the Rangers. Maybe there was something else. Whatever the situation, Washington made a passionate and convincing case to the Rangers to get Broussard over the winter. They complied. You've watched and are well aware of Broussard's problems at the plate and in the field this year.Now, Broussard and Washington are linked. If the Rangers end up making a managerial change, I wouldn't be surprised if they made two announcements at the same time; the second being designating Broussard for assignment.
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Speaking of links
It seems that Daniels should be tightly linked to Washington as well. If Washington gets the boot soon then Daniels needs to (and should) watch his back.
brettgardner's mom is a stupid bitch.
by DaheelzCM on May 7, 2008 10:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Daniels
I was just going to mention the same thing. While I still believe Daniels should stay around to finish his plan of stocking up the farm system, he is going to be tightly linked to washington, right or wrong.
One thing the rangers do need is stability in the front office and the managers spot, if these 2 arent the answer then hicks needs to find 2 guys he can stick with for longer than 3 yrs
"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum
by rentz on May 7, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hicks
Continuing up the linking tree…
Hicks has hired all of the guys in the past 10 years that have the Rangers in the mess they are currently in. Clearly, Hicks isn’t going anywhere soon so I have serious doubts that this team will ever get out of the ditch.
brettgardner's mom is a stupid bitch.
by DaheelzCM on May 7, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Hicks seems just as accountable to me for the debacle that was the hiring of Fred Sanf…, er, I mean, Ron Washington.
Right around the time all the young talent is ready to contend is when the organization will realize that Ron Washington is the wrong man for the job.
by Chad Crudup on May 7, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
.500 or bust!
Bad Vibes Kill Rallies!
"Well, we are one of the cheapest teams in Major League Baseball"
-Tom Hicks 4/8/2008
by Jayslick on May 7, 2008 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Come on man
He clearly looks more like George Jefferson.
brettgardner's mom is a stupid bitch.
by DaheelzCM on May 7, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you think Daniels should be fired?
by Adam J. Morris on May 7, 2008 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Daniels should be kept at least until mid-2009...
...and while I think Wash should be axed immediately that is only because I think he was the wrong man for the job since day 1, not specifically because of the results this season.
Right around the time all the young talent is ready to contend is when the organization will realize that Ron Washington is the wrong man for the job.
by Chad Crudup on May 7, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right now?
No, but I am just not a big fan of making changes like that mid-season. Ask me again on October 1st. But again, I don’t think it matters that much since Hicks has the ultimate say on who his replacement is. And for those who are counting on Nolan being in Hicks’ ear and making a good decision in this matter take a look at Houston’s organization.
brettgardner's mom is a stupid bitch.
by DaheelzCM on May 7, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think someone
will have to bring Hicks’ ass up to speed on what’s been going on with his baseball team for the past 2 years, since he’s seemingly had his focus in Liverpool. Then… who knows.
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 7, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm going to keep saying this
Tom Hicks was wowed by Washington as well, not just Daniels.
And we have no idea what the front office negotations were like – maybe Daniels wanted Hillman, and Hicks didn’t want to spend the money. Who knows.
There are things to pin on JD. Hiring Wash is not necessarily one of them.
by JBImaknee on May 7, 2008 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Negotiations
I think Wash was the mutual first choice of JD and Hicks. I don’t have a link at my fingertips, but I remember a story about the two of them saying, “oh, I didn’t know you liked him so much, thought maybe it was just me…”
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on May 7, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems like most GMs
get to fire at least 1 manager, and get kicked out the door with the 2nd manager.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on May 7, 2008 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just don't see it
Washington was Daniels hire, but I don’t see a really strong case for linking the two so closely. It seems they have opposite ideas. Daniels took a big chance on Washington, but it was the right hire at the time. You give Daniels one more year, and another manager hiring. I’m sure JD has learned his lesson.
by cmkelly29 on May 7, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wash sucks...so fire JD?
This would be like firing your boss because you sucked, and he hired you.
The GM’s job encompasses so much more than hiring a manager.
Whatever happens to Wash, it’s asinine to evaluate JD on nothing else.
People on this board… It’s amazing how much they attribute to the manager.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on May 7, 2008 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously, there's more to it than that
That was just the subject of this particular discussion.
brettgardner's mom is a stupid bitch.
by DaheelzCM on May 7, 2008 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well
I’m actually just replying to this discussion.
But that last line I also believe. I guess I was heavily influenced by Moneyball, and the manager’s role depicted by Howe/Beane.
When the team sucks, the manager, I mean maybe he’s not motivating them, but maybe a different guy wouldn’t either… You might’ve been around for the daily blood-soaked crucifixion of Buck Showalter by this crowd, and he was quite the disciplinarian (yes, among other things).
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on May 7, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Concur
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 7, 2008 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's more than just Wash sucking
that would lead to a JD firing. Stupid moves have made a big difference in this team, namely the awful trades in 2005 and 2006 that need no mention. He made some nice moves (seemingly, so far) in 2007, so he probably should be given a chance to see if these guys pan out. However, the fans’ collective patience is in the shitter because of this team’s long-standing futility on the field, so the talk about firing JD will continue. What is interesting is Nolan’s statement about not losing the fans… was that to Wash or JD? I think Wash, but who knows for sure.
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 7, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
On Cutting Broussard
It seems to me that it was very telling that Cat played at first when BB was ready, willing and able. Cat is no first baseman – was it a trial run? At any rate, it would seem that it was almost a precursor to letting Broussard go.
by FuturePants on May 7, 2008 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh Whoops
I guess AJM had a post on this subject on the main page earlier yesterday. Apologies!
by FuturePants on May 7, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Davis
How long do they have to wait to call him up to avoid triggering a year of service time?
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on May 7, 2008 10:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's kind of silly
So everytime a personnel mistake is made, whoever is behind it should be fired?
What happened to my old signature?
by WyoRanger on May 7, 2008 10:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
silly
Yeah holding someone accountable for their decisions is so silly.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 7, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
end sarcasm
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on May 7, 2008 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see Ben and Wash leaving together.
The team has played more steadily the past 4 series. As long as this continues through May, I can’t see the argument for removing Wash, especially since Nolan is a deliberate man and JD is a Wash-man.
One thing that did come to mind, though, is whether JD seems to be improving in the way he manages his manager. Buck wanted more pitching and, in particular, Eaton. JD made the trade. Wash wanted Sosa. JD gave him Sosa but reduced Sosa’s role after 600 HR. Wash wanted Broussard. JD gave him Broussard (for Hulett) and appears to be ready to release him when Byrd comes back.
by rooster on May 7, 2008 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed...
...Wash will outlast Ben. Maybe not by much but I see BB going very soon and Wash surviving until at least June 1.
Right around the time all the young talent is ready to contend is when the organization will realize that Ron Washington is the wrong man for the job.
by Chad Crudup on May 7, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What happens when Ben goes:
As you point out, JD has given Wash a lot of say in who his players are. I think that ends with Broussard. Wash will have shown himself a poor judge of talent (as instantly desiring a guy because he hits .282 with 4 homers against your team suggests), but to be fair, judging talent is not really in the job description of manager.
My guess is that when Ben gets DFA’d or released, Wash is then essentially “demoted” to being just the game-day manager. He’ll have little say in matters about the roster and probably given guidelines about who to play and how much.
In the end, this is probably for the best. In my opinion, JD’s biggest flaw has been an inability to stand up to his managers. Wash’s blatantly poor job at picking “his players” and Nolan looking over his shoulders may give JD the backbone he needs to be a great GM.
by JBImaknee on May 7, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is some of what I've been thinking.
Wash will have shown himself a poor judge of talent (as instantly desiring a guy because he hits .282 with 4 homers against your team suggests), but to be fair, judging talent is not really in the job description of manager.
It seems to me that the trend in increasing the pro scouting staff has coincided with less patience with the manager’s picks. I think JD is going to discount the manager’s opinion on FA personnel moreso in the future, but I think Wash will still have a voice. The new trick JD will need to learn is to keep the manager happy with the personnel when it wasn’t hand-picked by the manager. More Josh Hamiltons would probably solve that potential issue.
by rooster on May 7, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't understand why
Evan Grant brought up the topic of firing RW again. The team is playing better. RW and the team is not making the same stupid mistakes they made on the infamous TOR, BOS, DET roadtrip. A roadtrip that generated a losing streak that the media and us fanatics overreacted to. I don’t have alot of confidence in RW to believe he will be the Rangers manager this time next year. However, I think he will make it to Oct.
Brandon Boggs 2008 Texas Rangers ROY
by RangerMad on May 7, 2008 12:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Volquez at it again
4 IP, 2 H, 4 K’s, 0 ER’s
However, he’s walked 4.
by cmkelly29 on May 7, 2008 1:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thought exercise
What other pitcher in the system might have replaced Volquez in the deal?
Assuming they wanted an ML-level arm, nobody comes to mind. Maybe Mendoza and Galarraga, quantity over quality.
I love the pitcher, but you have to be satisfied with the results of sacrificing him…
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on May 7, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not a bad 2nd inning for the Cincy bats either
J Votto homered to right.
A Dunn homered to right.
E Encarnacion popped out to second.
P Bako homered to right.
E Volquez singled to center.
C Patterson struck out looking.
J Hairston homered to left, E Volquez scored.
by cmkelly29 on May 7, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
we should have kept Volquez
and played him at 1st…
by JBImaknee on May 7, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bottom 5th
First 2 batters:
Phillips homered to deep left
Votto homered to deep center
by cmkelly29 on May 7, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Votto now 3 HR's...
He’s going to get more chances, too.
by cmkelly29 on May 7, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jon Lieber must really suck
Who gives up home runs to Jerry Freakin’ Hairston, Jr.?
by Inkara1 on May 7, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Volquez update
6 BB’s to go with 10 K’s through 7. No R.
by cmkelly29 on May 7, 2008 1:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pretty stupid
to leave him out there that long with that big a lead.
...and curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git.
by t ball on May 7, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Baker
This is Dusty Baker we are talking about.
by Excel Hearts Choi on May 7, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Concur...
he has been light out this year. Why risk anything.
What the hell was Baker doing?
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 7, 2008 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is true. The game was in the bag.
Unless the pen absolutely needed rest, it didn’t make sense.
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 7, 2008 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The walks are problem
and always have been. I think you can get away with that in more in the NL and in a larger pitcher’s park. As well as he’s done I’m not convinced he’d be as good still in a Rangers’ uniform.
by Hull Fan on May 7, 2008 3:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Great American Ballpark
is not a larger pitcher’s park.
by jparks77 on May 7, 2008 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the fact...
that Hairston went deep there proves that.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 7, 2008 5:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Great American Ballpark is the NL version of Arlington.
by lonestarJon on May 7, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you serious?
That park is a bandbox. I think, if anything, there are more potent hitters in the AL, but the dimensions of GABP are comparable to TBiA. Volquez has been effing solid, no way around that.
It’s funny how pitchers have seemed to vastly improve after leaving Arlington.
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 7, 2008 7:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pitchers
I’m thinking that Volquez just needed a change of scenery, but it’s concerning how pitchers always leave texas and do well. I think it’s time they seriously consider an overhaul of the pitching coaches.
"When we're mad we'll use our words. Then the rest of the world will play nice with us. And the only boom-booms will be in our pants." - Ralph Wiggum
by rentz on May 8, 2008 7:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's also funny
is that all these prospects seem to need 30 starts or 1000 ABs with the Rangers, but with other franchises, they just roll out of bed and deal.
"Before I leave, I once again condemn the despicable buffoonery of D.J. Cahill." - Huck
by DJCahill on May 8, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That does seem to happen...
and man does it suck.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 8, 2008 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It very well could be that these coaches can't mold
these players into MLB pitchers. Look at the past few years… Young to SD – improvement for him (I don’t care if it’s a cavern at Petco), Danks (improving and solid this year), Volquez, and Galarraga. With the exception of Young, these guys were borderline MLBers and have all had breakout years somewhere else. It really does make you wonder what’s going on in Arlington.
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 8, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
B-more
being B-more, giving up a walk off.
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 7, 2008 5:48 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ron Washington
is doing fine. Is not his fault the 3/5 of the pitching staff is on the DL.
by BillyBobisdrunk on May 7, 2008 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is interesting
And it gives Wash-haters like me some renewed hope that the dumkopff might actually get canned, but realistically, I don’t think he will be fired anytime soon.
JD has repeatedly defended him, and seems to be unable to admit he made a mistake in hiring him, and players like Josh Hamilton have recently come out in support of Wash, because he’s such a “nice guy”.
Even though it should be obvious to anyone with a brain that Washington is a sub-par manager, who clearly cannot lead a baseball club, I think for now, the Rangers are content to let the blind man steer the rudderless ship. God nows it’s the wrong decision, but nobody has ever accused the Rangers of being smart.
by lonestarJon on May 7, 2008 7:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This...
“Even though it should be obvious to anyone with a brain that Washington is a sub-par manager, who clearly cannot lead a baseball club, I think for now, the Rangers are content to let the blind man steer the rudderless ship. God nows it’s the wrong decision, but nobody has ever accused the Rangers of being smart.”
Is why nobody here likes you or takes anything you say seriously. Comparing your OPINION to that of a God. You truly have much to learn.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 7, 2008 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think
that was his intended statement…..... but your response made me laugh nonetheless!!!
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 7, 2008 7:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dude
I don’t see how you can take it that way. I’m talking about the Rangers management being stupid, and blind to the fact that Ron Washington is not a good manager, or the manager for the future, not trying to insult anybody else. It’s as if you only read the last paragraph, without stopping to absorb the rest of the comment.
You’re overreacting, based on the fact that #1, you disagree, and #2, you’ve bought into the steriotype of me people have created on this site (which you are now perpetuating, simply because you don’t like whay I said). In short, you’re the one acting like an idiot here.
by lonestarJon on May 7, 2008 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I haven't....
“bought into the stereotype” of you that people here have.
If you remember back, I actually tried to defend you for awhile and give you the benefit of the doubt. However you have repeatedly made stupid comments and continued to stick your foot in your mouth over and over again, thus removing any doubt whatsoever.
I don’t agree with many people here on different issues, but I don’t call them stupid for having a different opinion and assume my view is superior and they don’t have a brain. Grow up. Your vast baseball knowledge, that you have obtained in the last 4 years, leaves much to be desired.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
by slc ranger on May 7, 2008 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man
You still don’t get it. I wasn’t calling any other posters stupid in my comment above. You hauled off, and made a huge jump to the conclusion, that I was trying to make myself out to be better than everyone. I wasn’t, I was referring to the Rangers front office.
Seriously. Get a grip.
by lonestarJon on May 7, 2008 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You deserve credit
for admitting that you’re a hater. And like most haters, you are unobjective. You put quotation marks around “nice guy”, which to me implies that Hamilton used those words – which he didn’t. And who are you to impugn Hamilton’s motives? Did you ever think that Hamilton thinks Wash is a good manager and enjoys playing for him?
by Randy Richardson on May 7, 2008 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How am I impugning Hamilton's motives?
That’s a completely baseless accusation.
My point is, just because Hamilton likes Washington, it doesn’t mean that he is a good manager, or knows what he’s doing. Hamilton’s status as the superstar of this team makes him immune to Wash’s dumb decisions, and biased assignment of playing time. I’m glad he likes playing for Wash, many players do – but he has not ever been in a position to be shafted by Wash, and never will be.
My point is, I think Washington is an idiot, which I have stated many times previously. People don’t like it when I repeat myself, so I cut to the chase, which, in this case was the fact that I don’t think the Rangers are going to fire him, and I think they’re stupid for doing it. If you disagree with that, that’s fine, but going and trying to slam me over it is getting to be pretty juvenile.
Are you guys really that sad, that you need to try to build yourselves up by trying to slam me at every turn? If you where really that much better than me, you wouldn’t stoop to my supposed level and try to bash me. The fact that you do just shows that you’re in no way, shape or form superior or smarter than me.
by lonestarJon on May 7, 2008 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So . . .
you only want people who agree with you to respond to your comments?
by Randy Richardson on May 7, 2008 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you read my comment?
“If you disagree with that, that’s fine, but going and trying to slam me over it is getting to be pretty juvenile.”
I don’t mind people disagreeing with me, I’m just tired of being slammed. I don’t see how my comment above warrented any slamming from SLC for my trying to “compare my opinion to the word of a God” or from you for “impugning” someone. Ya’ll are looking for a fight.
by lonestarJon on May 7, 2008 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
People can't post and disagree with you
without receiving a 12-page dissertation on why they are wrong and you are right. Sometimes everyone (or most) on here will feel the need to argue a point they feel strongly about. However, you do it all the time and it gets old.
There is no such thing as global warming. David Murphy was cold, so he turned the sun up.
by SarasotaRanger on May 7, 2008 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a thought . . .
You are this site’s most frequent commenter and you reside in a gray area between the serious commenter (which you’re more than capable of being) and the people who come in here and make inane comments. It stands to reason you’re going to get more negative feedback than anyone else.
by Randy Richardson on May 7, 2008 8:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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