Draggle:

I disagree. If the manager refuses to properly and equitably use his bench, you simply find a new manager. The FO should not be tip toeing around the manager with concerns that they may step on his toes. Have you seen Money Ball? When Art Howe refused to bench Carlos Pena and then reminded Billy Beane that he, Howe, was the manager and would make the decisions, Beane solved the problem by trading Pena. Eventually, ownership came to the realization that Beane was the brain behind the operations, and if Howe couldn't get on board with the direction of the club, then Howe had to go, which he did. We all agree that Daniels is the epicenter of the Rangers Brainstrust, right? If Washington can't get on the Daniels bandwagon, then Washington needs to find a new home.

But... but...

lol - You DIDN'T disagree! That's exactly what I was saying!

However, someone has pointed out that ownership (and, probably NOT Nolan Ryan) loves Wash... that may be the reason he's still here.

I probably didn't read enough in to your post. In that case, yes, we're in concert. I'm sure Ron is a likeable guy, but that doesn't necissarily make him a good leader or practical decision maker. I still can't get passed his unwillingness to drop Young in the batting order, get Profar some stick time, and his reluctance to deviate from the norm during the playoffs. Bringing Oliver in from the bullpen in the 10th inning of a WS game when he had Mike Gonzalez, another lefty who had pitched lights out in the playoffs, was a horrible decision. Especiallially considering the fact that the left handers due up were all off-speed hitters, and that's all Oliver throws. Gonzalez is a pure fastball guy and I'm convinced that he would have held serve had he been the choice. Not pitching Dutch in game 7 was an even worse decision, considering Harrison's struggles during the playoffs. He said he made that decision because Dutch pitched game 4, and because Harrison deserved a shot. I don't care who deserves what in a WS game, you pitch the guy who's been performing best. LaRussa pitched Carpenter in game 7, who had pitched game 4, and we all know how it turned out.

Lousy team lineup manipulation 2010, 2011 & 2012.
Mismanagement to the hilt.
FO and Mgr both= FAIL X3

Obvious troll is obvious.

Troll? No. just an opinion taken from 50+ years of World Series view/play.

@Jeff in SD: Hard to disagree with this. I never could figure out why he brought in Dutch in game 6, who as you recall gave up a crucial HR to Allen Craig. I like Wash as a motivator, but I (like many of you) disagree with some of his in-game decisions.

Besides LaRussa pitching Carpenter in place of Lohse, the playoffs are chockful of managers relying on the hot hand to pitch on short rest. Marlins in '03. Diamondbacks in '01. I'm sure there are others, but offhand those spring to mind and I think they make the point. Would game 7 have been different if Holland had started, after his best game ever, instead of Harrison, who broke down after a blown call in game 3? We'll never know. All I know is, I don't ever want to see Dutch pitch in relief again.

Not having a deeper, more experienced bench is attributable to the FO for the lack of proven experience, but slightly to the manager for not giving the bench more opportunities to gain the experience they need to be able to succeed when it really counts. Making some poor decisions in game is attributable to the manager. But the players are responsible for what goes on. You can't put the blame solely on any one of those three.

If the most imposing guy to come off our bench is a German-like threat, I will be a bit disappointed in the FO. I will obviously be disappointed by some things Wash and the players do in-game. Over 162 games, there are always tons of disappointments. It's still possible they get the job done, but better preparation and decision-making would make it more likely.

I still think Cowlishaw has blown this way out of proportion. If the Rangers can sign an IF backup that has a better bat than Gonzalez, I'll probably be alright with them going into the season.

Guys like DeRosa & Vasquez. Implemented and played in the field during season.
Really good bench type players. Why Cruz is still here seems a mystery to me. OK,
so the FA mrkt was not best to fill needs. Are we that much at arms length with team
GM's that trades can't me made?