Things aren't quite as loud today as they were yesterday. The Rangers have a day off today. No rotation candidate's arm exploded yesterday. Nolan Ryan hasn't quit yet. With this franchise, however, you can consider this just the calm before the impending storm.
Jeff Wilson recaps the Ranger win from yesterday by focusing on Yu Darvish's solid outing that came without him having his usual stuff.
Ron Matejko has the Rapid Reaction to the Rangers' 5-4 late innings comeback victory over the San Diego Padres to run their spring record to 3-7-1.
MLB.com's AJ Cassavell writes about the spring debut of baseball's most rad baseball player, Adrian Beltre.
Now, on the Hierarchygate front, behind the DMN paywall, Evan Grant recaps the story so far and writes a bit about all of the parties involved and how they can continue working together.
Also, on the DMN blog, Grant writes that he's heard that Nolan Ryan is going to let things play out into the season before making any decision about leaving the organization. As well, some folks on Team JD are just as tired of hearing ESPN talk about how Nolan did away with pitch counts as we are, maybe.
Also behind the paywall, Tim Cowlishaw writes that the speculated rumor about Ryan leaving the organization at the end of the month was probably overstated but that no one would be surprised if Ryan left after this season after asking for and receiving clarification that Jon Daniels has final say on baseball decisions. And, as Cowlishaw writes, Daniels is the right person to make those decisions.
Jean-Jacques Taylor chimes in to say, "It's business." Taylor writes that this is Daniels' team, and while Ryan has helped this franchise, he should set aside his ego a little for the sake of keeping the front office together.
And, I must say, I'm shocked that there's even one local writer siding with JD and the baseball decision-makers on this, much less several. Then again, I don't think anyone fully knows what's happening or has happened here yet. But it's fascinating to see local writers rationalizing the potential departure of Texas Legend Nolan Ryan® when the power would be acknowledged as belonging to a guy almost no one in print around here seemed to think was even competent four or five years ago.
Personally, I'd like to believe Nolan Ryan isn't this hasty but also that JD's soldiers aren't this credit-hungry. But, maybe this isn't as big of a deal as it's being made out to be and Nolan is just cooling off a little after being told he can't just Chuck Greenberg everyone.
How are fans taking this saga, you ask?
Well, I did find this comment on T.R. Sullivan's blog announcing JD's promotion:
Unbelievable! Have talked to many game going fans who are totally disgusted with these latest moves and vow not to attend this year. Jon Daniels will soon be the most bated man in America.
By Brian Losey on March 4, 2013 6:51 PM - Reply
So there you go. Get your rest, JD.
On the fifth starter front, Gerry Fraley blogs that the Rangers contacted the Detroit Tigers about Rick Porcello while also continuing to talk to Scott Boras about Kyle Lohse should they decide they need external help for the rotation.
Grant and Kevin Sherrington were on SportsDay On Air to talk about how much the Rangers need Lohse now. Grant: "I think you really solve two issues with one signing here." Sherrington: "At this point, it's a must for them to do that."
Wilson takes a spring break with Randy Wells so you can learn how much he digs country music.
Cassavell handles the Notebook and covers Martin Perez's upbeat mind frame after getting injured for the first time in his career, Darvish's hitless spring, Nate Robertson's sidearm comeback, and other items.
Lastly, Bullpen Banter's 2013 Top 15 Rangers Prospects has Luke Jackson at No. 6.