Sunday Morning Open Thread: Five Questions
Julio Borbon indicates his dismay after striking out against Seattle on Saturday, April 10th.1. While Ron Washington is already sitting on the managerial "hot seat" to some extent, what would it take to plunge his job into serious jeopardy? A sub-.500 record on May 15th? Six games back in the division race on June 1st? A string of fundamentally unsound managerial decisions? Some combination of all of those?
2. The hypothetical gun-to-your-head question of the week: if you had to pull the plug (e.g. bench/option to the minors) on one of Chris Davis/Julio Borbon/Taylor Teagarden, who would you pick? Momentarily set aside the reality that none of the three will get the hook this early; this is a thought-process question.
3. With the sale of the Rangers threatening to drag out into May, and potential bankruptcy proceedings looming, are you concerned that this debacle will negatively impact the Rangers' summer budgets for amateur draft/international player signings and their ability to expand payroll if a palatable mid-season trade opportunity presents itself?
4. An apt question to ask in the wake of Ubaldo Jimenez's franchise-first no-hitter for the Rockies on Saturday: Which Texas pitcher (residing in either the majors or the minors) do you believe has the best chance of throwing the first Rangers no-hitter since Kenny Rogers? Remember, great stuff alone isn't necessarily enough; the best candidates for induction into the no-hit club would boast potent combinations of stuff/command/poise/efficiency, and perhaps some of the "good face" as well.
5. Josh Garoon on Friday night's ball/strike-calling inequity between C.J. Wilson and CC Sabathia, which he has nicely detailed in The Clubhouse (complete with visual evidence): "It's bad for baseball. And the technology is out there to do something about it." Will Major League Baseball ever make a legitimate attempt to computerize ball/strike calls, or is the idea still too nonconformist to gain the required traction? Perhaps more pertinently, are you just plain ticked that Sabathia got the calls and Wilson got the proverbial shaft?
31 Comments | in Open Thread, The Season
Reader Comments (31)
1. Ah the 5 questions. Thanks. Okay Washington... I think if the Rangers end the month of May 5 or more under .500 he's gone. I'm already steamed about him not removing Harrison after 100+ pitches the other day - and if were up to me, he'd be gone. (Note: I don't like Washington's managing pitchers/rookies anyway.)
2.Teagarden is making Borbon and Davis look like All-Stars at this point. Even his defense isn't great. PLAY MATT TREANOR. It's not that hard. What's Treanor gonna do that is worse than TT is doing?
3. Yes. This is not looking good. Disaster waits around the corner.
4. Tanner Scheppers
5. I don't even like instant replay on HR calls so I need not answer this.
1. Possibly 6 to 10 under .500 on May 15th, but more importantly if that record is the result of sloppy play and poor execution in various phases of the game, as we've witnessed lately.
2. Teagarden. Right now. No gun needed. Treanor can start, there's a backup sitting in someone's system somewhere who wont cost much if anything..
3. No.
4.
5. I hope to hell they don't attempt to computerize any part of the game but, utilizing technology to show umpires that their biases can be documented then holding them accountable to the integrity of the game is a prudent use of that technology, and the right thing to do.
1. If the Rangers are 5 or more games behind the leader or 10 or more games under .500 by the end of May, Wash will be gone.
2. Teagarden just isn't getting the job done at all. If Salty can come back and TT drops into the reserve role, maybe the Rangers will play better.
3. Keep on saying, "The deal will get done."
4. No idea -- too many variables to even hazard a guess.
5. Ump errors are a part of the game. Let things be.
5.) Stick an ear-piece in the umps ear that buzzes for strikes, then leave it to the ump to indicate strike or ball. This keeps the human in the game. Most of the time he will go with the technology, but if it stops working, he is there to make the calls. He can also overrule the thing when needed. Best of all, the change is totally invisible to fans, and causes no slowing in the pace of games.
1) If the team is at .500 or under by the end of April he needs to go......plus the fact that his managing abilities and his decisions have been for sometime not those of a good MLB manager. He needs to be a coach with an organization somewhere......as the 3B/infielder's coach in Oakland he was in his comfort zone. Being the leader of a team is not his cup of tea nor does he have the ability to make good game decisions.
2) Teagarden..........give Treanor a shot.......
3) Absolutely it is going to affect the team and our ability to succeed this season.
4) Derek Holland.
5) While there will always be some errors by Umps (they are human) there needs to be some type of accountability. Remedial training? MLB needs to make sure that they are absolutely qualified and non-partisan against any person or team. No digital solution at this point...but MLB needs to step up and help the situation by having accountability and good qualified people.......
Honestly, because of constant fan pressure to dump Washington, I don't think it will take much to persuade Nolan/JD to fire him mid-season. Too bad, too.
I'm ready for them to bring up Smoak and give him a shot just like they did for Davis a couple of years ago.
1, Slow starts every year. Mis-managing pitching. Does not use the right handed bat he wanted to spell Davis against tough lefties when facing CC.....Uses Feliz for a save when we are up by three, then says we will have to use Francisco the next day, not recognizing the wiggle room that existed if he still wanted to work Francisco and keep Feliz for a tighter situation.... and just used Cocaine once.....Its time for Ron to go..NOW!
2. Teagarden needs to go down. You just can't have an automatic out. He has not had a hit and looks terrible over matched. Swith Julio and Elvis in the lineup until Julio gets going. And by the way, will CD or JH ever hit a homerun? Going the other way has been good for them, but once in a while could they sitll turn on a pitch?
3. No way to predict this. The economy has effected so many things.
4. CJ Wilson
5. Yes I was ticked. But its a Yankee's thing. Reputation from winning. We need to win a little to get somw swagger. Its not fair but its real. By the way, I was also ticked about the fake HBP by ARod. What a punk, how many things like this has this guy had in his career. I have to admit, I was hoping he would get it square between his shoulder blades in his next AB.
1. He is going to be here cause we will be fine. Angels and Mariners didn't fire out of gate either. We would have to have a big collapse for something to happen before All Star break.
2. If Salty is back healthy in a week and Taylor still hasn't got a hit I could see them go with Salty and Treanor to get Taylor's bat going in AAA and then bing back up if injury to Salty or Treanor happens. Send Treanor back down once Taylor gets some confidence back in his bat.
3. No
4. Rich Harden
5. No on balls and strikes
1 - Ron Washington must have the biggest collection of lucky charms in MLB. He's in his 4th season, and if we've learned anything it's that his team won't be ready to play in April, and will fold in August. Isn't it really all about W's and L's?
2 - The only player I see in the system capable of making an acceptable replacement impact is Justin Smoak, at least until Endy Chavez is ready to play. But my eyes are drastically limited.
3 - Isn't there a large tree just north of Dallas used for weasels like Tom Hicks?
4 - No clue.
5 - You can talk about the strike zone until you're blue in the face, MLB doesn't care.
1. A poor mid-May record will get Wash fired is this type of play comtinues.
2. I think TT gets sent down when Salty comes back. Matt Treanor is no Johnny Bench, but this franchise cannot afford to risk losing him at this time whem there is really no viable MNL catcher in the system.
3. I still think a deal gets done before June.
4. Derek Holland
5. I hate the Yankees.
1) If the team is at .500 or under by the end of April he needs to go......plus the fact that his managing abilities and his decisions have been for sometime not those of a good MLB manager. He needs to be a coach with an organization somewhere......as the 3B/infielder's coach in Oakland he was in his comfort zone. Being the leader of a team is not his cup of tea nor does he have the ability to make good game decisions. I agree with Craig.
2) Teagarden..........why has Ryan Garko not been considered, he was a catcher.......
3) yes..
4) who knows??
5) are you just plain ticked that Sabathia got the calls and Wilson got the proverbial shaft? YES
1. A losing record at the end of May.
2. Taylor Teagarden should be given the opportunity to dominate at AAA.
3. No budget flexibility for the June 2010 draft or mid-season trade.
4. Next Ranger's no hitter: Derek Holland.
5. Data-based accountability for umpires.... a good thing. Make the ball/strike calls part of the annual summative evaluation of umps, not in-game checks.
1. A long losing streak would do it -- assuming a .500 or worse record at the start of said streak. Other than that, he'll be around.
2. Borbon and TT. Both need to be in AAA. Davis is close behind.
3. Won't affect draft/amateur FA signings. Will affect expansion of payroll, though if this team doesn't change a whole lot about itself (more efficiency from the starters and lineup, better results from the pen) that won't matter.
4. Derek Holland or Martin Perez. If Feliz can find consistency with his breaking stuff then he's a Ubaldo starter kit so he would have to be included as well. If I can only go with one, give me Dutch.
5. No, MLB won't do that. I rarely use officials/umpires as scapegoats for losses, but the CJ squeeze is something that gets pretty close. It was incredible. Wash should have thrown a fit and gotten thrown out -- that's an effective way to make your point and taking one for the team then could have helped. Even if that didn't help, at least Wash wouldn't have had to be in the dugout to witness the shenanigans.
1. Forth Place at end of May. He's gone.
2. Teagarden
3.Yes, If we are anywhere in the race.
4. Derek Holland
5. Unlimited Pay Rolls and the yankees are bad for baseball.
1. Wash will last to mid-May. If he is very far under .500 at that point he's gone.
2. I am beginning to think Davis won't stick at all. Teagarden is proving he isn't major league quality at all. Salty is a bust for health reasons. Max cannot catch. We'll need to make a serious trade at C. Borbon needs more time in the minors - maybe a full year but he'll be OK. Smoak will be here soon enough to take over 1B. I'd move Cruz to CF and look at Moreland in RF.
3. I am beginning to get some real bad vibes - first hand - that this is unraveling. We are watching a game of chicken and I am not sure who will blink first but this whole deal could unravel and the Ranger's franchise with it. The creditors cannot really win because they cannot take control of the team. So we may see a true loose-loose-loose situation.
4. Derek Holland.
5. The Commissioner should take action. I usually think bad calls even out but that was way way over the top. The ump should have been wearing pinstripes. I'd go with database accountability.
1. Under .500 by mid may with a easy may schedule he will be gone .
2. I would send TT out now go with ricardson & treanor until salty comes back.
3. I hope not I don't think Nolan will let it derail.
4. Give me Dutch holland
5. No replays in baseball I dint like it! Bad calls are part of the game that is why you grip & get thrown out can't grip with a computer.
Why does anyone think Washington is on the managerial hot seat. He's proven he's no good at managing a Major League baseball team? Bad lineups that scored less than 800 runs last year for the first time in Ballpark in Arlington history. Bad defensive teams that make too many errors (14th, 14th & 12th in fielding percentage in his three year tenure). A P. R. disaster, and a cocaine user. None of that has gotten him fired to this point. Even if this team is 6-8 games under .500 in mid-May, Daniels will make up some excuse to keep Washington.
to Win's dad:
"He's proven he's no good at managing a Major League baseball team"
Proven? Really? And what is your evidence for this grand claim? You cite poor offense, as if Ron Washington were signing players like Chris Davis, who strikeout at record pace, or as if the manager himself were somehow not producing at the plate. You cite poor defense, but fail to credit the coaching staff (including RW) for the fantastic defensive turnaround last year. So it just seems to me that you are another biased hater who has an irrational disdain for Washington, nothing more.
1. If sloppy play and middlin' results are still happening early in May, I think he's gone. Everyone's idea that Wash already has a short leash is accurate. Better question: who is his replacement? Clint? Boo? Bobby Valentine? I'd love to see Bobby back here.
2. Teagarden. I love the idea of bringing Richardson back up here. He's a true organizational guy and he has a beautiful wife. As far as Davis goes, I'm inclined to think he's never gonna cut it offensively. Feel free to bring up Smoak any day you wish. With Borbon, I'm inclined to believe he's going to snap out of it. The more he plays, the greater the likelihood of him becoming the bunting, slashing, speed machine he can be.
3. I just don't know what to think about the sale. Worries me that it hasn't been finalized. We need to get the new guy here and in charge.
4. Holland or Perez.
5. It's so sad to see the obvious bias that exists. Is it subconscious on the part of the umpires? Or do they just get caught up in the Yankee mystique and can't help themselves? I love the idea of communicating balls and strikes to the plate ump through an earpiece. The technology would not subtract from the game. Instead it would add integrity, something that would be very welcome, particularly when Texas plays at New York.
1. His days are numbered. Any and all scenarios will cause the domino to be pushed.
2. Easy answer and I see the hook coming immediately. Teagarden is a career backup at best and is currently not even performing to that level.
3. I have to continue to believe that this gets done before then.
4. Derrick Holland / CJ Wilson
5. This is becoming basketball where two players get two different calls on the same play. That is NOT a good developement. I hate the arrogance of so many of the umpires in the game today. Yes, I would bring in technology in some way to put them on call.
1. Lay off Wash. Judge his final record, not eleven games. Are you a "half empty" fan?
2. Again, too early; small sample size. Wait for 50 games to tell the real story of what kind of team we have this year.
3. It should NOT have any affect. However, the continued delays do raise the "red flag."
4. The next lefthander to go against the Rangers. The odds do, however, fall to power pitchers with elite stuff. Given that historical tendency, I would say Feliz or Scheppers in future years.
5. Stop crying in your milk. Order a beer!
1. If this team tanks (and it appears to be tanking) Washington may be gone by June 1. It may not be his fault, but a new owner with no allegiances to Washington may want to "stir up things" a bit if the team is doing poorly.
2. Teagarden can't hit. I hear the argument, "he's a defensive catcher." Big deal. He can't hit. It's almost an automatic out when he comes to the plate. Wait, that's actually true, isn't it?? If you are in the big leagues you are a defensive catcher. Hit the ball!
3. I'm not worried about this issue. Greenberg will own the team soon enough.
4. No nitter? Heck, I just want to see Harden go more than 4 innings right now. That would help things immensely!
5. First, down with Yank. They get the calls at the plate. They also, however, fight off a lot of pitches and don't swing at everything that is near the plate. Still, they get too many calls and their pitchers get too many calls that favor them. I doubt it's intentional, but it's annoying.
1) Anything less than second place at the end of May will get Wash fired.
2) Chris Davis because Borbon is only in his second year and needs to get back into the groove. I would've said Teagarden but we don't have a Justin Smoak wannabe that we have on 1B.
3) Yes
4) Holland or Wilson but I'd lean toward Holland.
5) LOLOLOLOLOLOL no.
1. Regardless of games behind, I believe his employment will be contingent on the level of play.
2. Teagarden..no brainer!
3. The deal will be completed within the next month or so.
4. Harden
5. Really?
1. I don't think he'll be fired unless we're sitting last place and 15 games out in June. They've kept Ron on as manager against all logic for three years, why stop now?
2. Davis is the obvious choice, given that there's a player behind him who might stand to be better than replacement level (Smoak) whereas there are no such replacements within the org for Borbon and Teagarden.
Terrible as Teagarden has looked, he's probably the best catcher on the 40-man right now, since the Rangers don't seem to think MaxRam has the defensive chops to start.
3. I'm not going to worry about it unless it actually does affect our midseason budget. If it does though, I'll be willing to chip in to the send-Anton-Chigurh-after-Hicks-and-the-creditors fund.
4. Neftali Feliz, and Derek Holland. Holland flashed that kind of dominance last year against the M's, actually.
5. I advocate putting a pitch f/x heads up display in the ump's mask, and requiring their calls conform to the pitch f/x's judgement by say, 85-90%. That way the "traditionalists" can still have their fatass umps calling the strikes, while the rest of baseball can enjoy not getting fucked over every time we take a road trip to New York or Boston.
1. They'll give him half a year or so before making a decision.
2. TEAGARDEN TEAGARDEN TEAGARDEN. Questionable defense, terrible offense. He's not even making contact most of the time. The worst part is, when you look at his minor league offensive numbers, you'll see that this is not an aberration at all. This kid just plain can't hit. Also, Max Ramirez (who I know is not considered a top-notch defensive catcher) is hitting .400 in AAA. It seems like having Treanor as a starter and Max as a backup is a decent plan for now. Then you scramble to find a good catcher through trade and see how Salty's health holds up in the minors.
3. Yes, but I sincerely hope not.
4. Holland.
5. It's baseball, so the fans will never allow a computer to call balls and strikes. That being said, I think umpires should be evaluated by the accuracy of their calls when compared to a pitchtracker. Umps that fall below a certain threshold will find themselves at first or third base.
1. It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN for Wash.
2. With an .080 batting avg., I would say Borbon.
3. I think it affects the team in that know help will be on the way , but when ?????
4. Perez comes to mind on this one.
5. The Yankees are what they are because they live by a different strike zone than the rest of the league. The umps really are obvious at what they are doing....
I guess Wilson has been getting the shaft for years except that he hasn't been facing CC...Wilson does not get respect because he does not deserve respect...His history shows that he struggles with control so who do you think is going to get the benefit of the doubt...This is another way for CJ to blame someone or something else for his own failure...Buy this guy a mirror
If we are looking for conspiracy, I think the umps, along with MLB, favor the Yanks/Sox because one or both of those teams in the playoffs automatically means more revenue for the league.
1. Wash appears (along with some of his players to have developed a mild case of the dreaded "1000 yard stare" since breaking camp in Surprise. If his body language continues to worsen and the quality of how the team plays the game continues to deteriorate, then i think he's gone in May. I'm not convinced that this firing process is started solely by the win-loss record, but rather by the feel and style that the team throws off.
2. It's got to be Teagarden. The other two have starter upside. Taylor doesn't project as a starter to my eye, because i don't think his swing can ever be corrected. He's a major league backup and should have a fine career.
3. It's a disaster waiting to happen...soon. We're not going to like the next acts in this soap opera.
4. Wison, Holland, Perez.
5.I actually like badspellr's idea. Whatever the answer; it must be invisible to players and fans, reviewable by MLB and instantaneous for the ump.
Ive been so long looking for a great community. I can't wait to find new friends.