and in that respect, I side with Nolan (I’ll be a Rangers fan long after Wash is gone).

But, I just hate when management isn’t on the same page, especially when it is public

Nolan has 3 career saves so does that make him an expert on closing and closers also?

but, speaking as a professional musician and teacher, I can tell you that not all great musicians are great evaluators and/or teachers. The greatest opera singers in the world, for example, still work often with teachers and voice coaches to hone their technique and preparation. I would not trust a great singer to cast an opera production, as they often have little idea what other singers are appropriate for roles, despite knowing their own repertoire very well.

I know a lot more about music than I do about baseball, but I think the comparison is apt. Classical singing is a very athletic endeavor, and takes years of focused training and practice to reach full potential. Likewise, just because Ryan was an awesome pitcher does not automatically mean he is a great evaluator of pitching talent, or of what role best suits a pitcher. He very well may be, but it is a fallacy to just assume he is based on his own success as a pitcher. That said, I think Ryan is right in saying leave Wilson alone, at least for now.

Oh wait, that’s not his job.

came away with two different answers, and are now peddling their positions to the media.

My problem is that they had two different answers. And they are definitely in conflict – although maybe not in direct conflict. If one person says both of those things, it doesn’t really make any sense. Why do you need to talk to pitching coaches to figure out if your closer is going to pitch again if he’s the only person for the job?

you must be “correct” and Cahill must not be thinking clearly.

Right.

get ready for

“We can’t talk about players under contract”
"We gotta play it one day at a time."
“I’m just happy to be here. Hope I can help the ballclub.”
“I just want to give it my best shot, and the good Lord willing, things will work out.”

and all the other things that make the vast majority of interviews on sports talk radio unlistenable.

this isn’t a critique of those guys – I don’t know when “loving your job” was a prerequisite for being good at it. Obviously it helps, but that alone isn’t everything. I know people who don’t particularly care for their work, but are nonetheless better than most everyone else at it. Sometimes your passion and your skills don’t overlap.

Though it’d be tough for JD to justify dealing one of your two reliable veteran starters for a toolsy AA OF.

The Randy Golloways and Gerry Fraleys of the world would rip JD a new one for dealing an established starter for a “bag of magic beans”.

you can make that trade.

You have to get a arm back in any deal for 1 of your top 2 starters imo.