Monday Morning Open Thread: Five Questions
Joey Matschulat1. According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Michael Young informed the Rangers last week that he doesn't want to be a full-time designated hitter anymore (apparently out of fear that accepting such a role would impede his ability to secure a spot in the infield when he hits free agency after the 2013 season), and asked to be traded; however, Wilson's sources suggest Texas won't make a deal unless it improves the club.
The big questions to be answered: (a) what should happen here, and (b) what will happen here?
2. In light of these most recent revelations, what is your revised and/or current perception of Young? Is he smart to be looking out for his best interests, selfish in that he's putting the Rangers in a difficult bind, or some combination of the two? And if the Rangers elect not to trade Young (against his wishes), how concerned do you become that his oft-lauded intangible qualities could turn sour in a hurry?
3. Pick either 'over' or 'under' on each of these four newly released (and first-revision) 2011 PECOTA projections: Elvis Andrus [.266/.323/.340], Julio Borbon [.276/.314/.364], Mitch Moreland [.272/.340/.442], and Michael Young [.283/.336/.419].
4. Assume that Young is dealt for prospects/table scraps/pitching, or any other return that doesn't net an immediate impact for the lineup. With Young no longer occupying the two-hole for 140-plus games, how do you set up your new lineups against lefties and righties?
5. You're in charge of selecting the halftime entertainment for Super Bowl XLVI next February, and hold ultimate authority over the decision (and therefore cannot be vetoed/overruled). Who are you picking, knowing that going too esoteric with your selection will probably get you fired? If you don't like that question, you can slam Christina Aguilera and the Black Eyed Peas or something instead.
Reader Comments (47)
The Rangers got themselves into this pickle. I don't blame MY one bit for wanting to keep playing the field. He is a very proud player who works hard to improve his defense. I don't get why the FO would let themselves be taken by Scot Boras. I'm surprised that Nolan went for the Beltre deal. I can only think that he ceded that deal to the new co-owner.
1. A. What should happen is MY is traded to Colorado with $12 million and we get Dexter Fowler in return. B. What will happen is now that it is public knowledge that MY wants out, the trade market will increase and he will be dealt by the time ST roles around.
2.My perception of MY hasn't changed much. I understand where he is coming from, and I understand where the Rangers are coming from. Both have a responsibility to look out for what is best for themselves. He has been a great player and a great guy. He has also been paid as such. Baseball is business so MY should accept whatever happens.
3. Elvis - Over
The rest are under.
4. v. RHP: Borbon, Kinsler, Josh
v. LHP: Elvis, Kinsler, Josh
5. Elton John
(1) What should happen is that the Rangers should only make a move if it improves the club. And, I believe that is what will happen.
If a trade is made, I'm guessing the Rangers include no more than $10M plus they get back a useful ML player, such as a 8th inning RP with a power arm and maybe a very low-level but high upside prospect. A little better return than the Gerald Laird trade.
(2) I'm not concerned about his leadership in the clubhouse once the season starts. Not one bit. I'm more concerned about the potential drop off in his offensive performance. There is very little room for error if he is a DH.
(3) Andrus -- over; Borbon -- push; Moreland -- over (especially OBP); Young -- over (especially avg.)
(4) Kinsler becomes the new #2. Do the Rangers have a #1? Probably Elvis gets the #1 spot. Josh bats #3.
Young should AND will be traded for anything. This is not Arod again, since saving money isn't the only gain for us. Upgrading his production is the key.
If not traded, Young will gripe a bit, but still be professional.
Elvis over
Julio under
Mitch over
MY under
Vs RH Vs LH
Kins Kins
MM Elvis
Hammy Hammy
Beltre Beltre
Nellie Nellie
Murphy Naps
Torbs MM
Julio Julio
The Black Crowes with Jimmie Page and Lenny Kravitz.
Elvis
The Black Keys with Elvis Costello and a hologram of Lenny Bruce.
1. What should happen-Young should be traded.
What will happen- Young will be traded.
2. Hasn't changed my opinion of him. He doesn't have to like being a DH and has the right to ask for whatever he likes, but so do the Rangers.
3. Dunno
4. Dunno
5. U2 does next year's halftime.
1. The Rangers SHOULD try and fulfill his wishes if they can find a fit that improves the team.
Unsure what WILL happen as MY's salary vs. his impact as an everyday defensive player are way out of wack and I dont see the Rangers paying him to play elsewhere.
2. He is neither smart or selfish but rather dissalutions in thinking he still has more to offer than he does. Normal for professional athlets.
3. Over / Push / Over / Under
4. Kinsler
Andrus
Josh
Beltre
Cruz
Napoli
Moreland
Torrealba
Gentry
5. Don't care. It's just a half time show to me. Marching bands would have the same impact on me watching the Super Bowl
1. Trade MY if it makes the team better. But don't forget the need to cover the long DL stays that always seem to happen with a starter quality player. MY provides that.
2. I think MY needs to come to terms with where he is in his career and look honestly at his defensive deficiencies. Can he regain some of his ability? Maybe. But I still remember that it was about at his age that I realized that my slop-pitch softball dives after the ball had become falls in the direction of the ball. It happens.
3. Andrus and Moreland, over, Borbon a push, Young over.
4. I'd be inclined to go with Kinsler at leadoff and let Borbon and Andrus compete for #2.
5. Jerry is the personification of the Dallas image - the nouveau riche trying to impress. Fort Worth seems much more comfortable in who it is. They may be the only winners in this whole fiasco. We are Texas. Has Texas no indiginous Texas music? Have we no singers who know the words and the tune? You always do better if you are content to be yourself. By the way, we don't need a hologram. Lenny Bruce is dead, but his ghost lingers on and on.
I really wish Slash would have shoved his guitar up that dude from the Black Eyed Steve's ass.
On that note, for next year's SB I'd like to see George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars do a rendition of "You're Beautiful" by that one incredibly gay guy.
1. A) The Rangers should trade him. He wants out. We want relief. He isn't going to get what he wants here anymore. It sucks, but it's just gotta happen, I think.
B) The Rangers will trade him while subsidizing more contract than they should and get nothing in return.
2. My perception hasn't changed much. He wants to play and we dont have a spot for him. It does suck that the Rangers put him in that position, but I dont know many professional athletes that would be OK going from a starter to a part-time DH/part-time utility player.
3. Andrus - Over a little
Borbon - Push
Moreland - Over a little
Young - Push
4.
Kinsler
Moreland
Hamilton
Cruz
Beltre
Napoli
Yorvit
Andrus
Borbon
Sub Murphy for Borbon when needed. I'm too lazy to make two lineups. Just use this everytime.
5. One of the following. Cold War Kids, Drake, Black Eyed Peas, Will I Am, Fergie, or one of the other two scrubs from the Black Eyed Peas. So, really on the first one.
1. a.) Should happen: Trade Kinsler for a good # 2 starter who is up and coming and put young at 2nd.
b.) will happen: Young will be traded to Dodgers who make a late push for someone like Broxton or Billingsly. Maybe Cubs for Dempster
2. If Young stays or goes he will have the same attitude. A professional. An all time Ranger great who doesnt get the respect he deserves.
3. over under over over
4. andrus kinsler josh beltre cruz napoli moreland yorvit borbon vs RH
andrus kinsler josh beltre cruz napoli murphy moreland yorvit vs LH
5. I say Kid Rock with apperances by Sheryl Crow and Uncle Kracker
1.) and 2.) It's crazy to me that Young is even thinking about free agency at this point. Does he truly believe that playing the field will guarantee him $10M/yr. in his next contract? His current value is based on his offense, regardless of whether he plays the field. Best guess, he'd be pretty lucky to get $5M/yr. at that point of this career. So why the consternation? That said, I'd hold off until I can get a decent player in return and a team willing to take at least half of the remaining salary. Otherwise, Mike, see ya in Surprise.
3.) Over / Over / Over / Under
4. ) Kinsler in place of Young at #2
5.) Whoever was handling sound levels for last night's SB halftime show should be run out of town. Vocals were way too high, music way too low. Really made the Peas sound horrible. For next year, since it's in Indy, I say do a 'heartland' show featuring John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett and Garth Brooks. Just sayin'.
5. I would pick a band that is still relevent...like Van Halen or ZZ Top. Seriously, they couldn't do worse than the BIPs did last night.
1. Makes sense from MY standpoint. It also make sense for the Rangers to move him. I have a hunch that the "powers that be" forced MY's hand and it's brilliant. I hope we get a little more than the Blue Jays got in return for Vernon but I also understand it's a salary dump.
2. Most of today's players are all about themselves, so I get what MY is doing. Granted, he's shown he's more than a TEAM player in year's past, but everyone has a threshold. I'm not worried about a deal not being worked out, both parties want a deal to be done. Now we just have to find the right suitor.
3. Elvis (over) Borbon (UNDER...seriously!) Moreland (over) Young (push)
4. Napoli
5. I thought the halftime show was a nightmare...I hope this is the beginning of the end of the Black Eyed Peas and Fergie appears only in random nude pics and DrPepper commercials.
1a) They should trade him if they only have to eat $18-20m (thus saving $28-30m), even if they get little in return.
1b) JD will pull a rabit out of his hat and get a player or prospect worth having for him, though many won't be happy with the amount of cash we're sending the other way.
2) Young is smart for doing this. So are the Rangers. Young is only a valuable ML player if he is somewhere where he can play a premium defensive position every day. Send him somewhere like that, save some money, and get what you can back.
3) Elvis=over, Borbon=push, Moreland=over, Young=over if he's going to Colorado, push if he stays in RBiA, under if he's traded elsewhere.
4) these are what I would do, not what I predict Wash will do.
VsRHP:
Elvis-SS
Moreland-1B
Hamilton-DH
Cruz-RF
Beltre-3B
Murphy-LF
Kinsler-2B
Torrealba-C
Borbon-CF
vsLHP:
Andrus-SS
Cruz-RF
Hamilton-LF
Napoli-DH
Beltre-3B
Kinsler-2B
Moreland-1B
Torrealba-C
Borbon-CF
5) Green Day featuring special guest Jack White.
2. Ordinarily I have no problem with a player looking out for his best interest. There is very little loyalty running from owners to players in the majors, so why criticize a player for being self-interested? However, in MY's case, that goes out the window. This team has grossly overpaid him to be the face of the franchise. This is the rare situation in which the player owes the team much more than the team owes the player. He should keep his mouth shut, do whatever is asked of him, and cash his ridiculous $16 million per year in checks.
1) At $16m per year Young needs to keep his mouth shut and do what he is told. But he wants to be traded then fine, expand your trade list in your contract. The Rangers should not pickup any of Young contract, The recent trade of Vernon Wells proves that there is someone out there that will take him. Perhaps the NY Mets who tried to trade Carlos Beltran this oof season do to the money he is owed one yer at $19.4m. We could plug him in centerfield for a year and see how he works out.
Lefties : Kinsler, Andrus, Hamilton, Beltre, Cruz, Napoli, Moreland, Torrealba, Borbon
Righties: kinsler, Andrus, Hamilton, Beltre, Cruz, Murphy, Moreland, Torrealba, Borbon
1) a) He should be traded for something that will help the 2011 team. If that can't be done he stays.
b) I'm hopeful they'll get something worked out... but I put it at 40% that they'll get enough in return. I think he ends up staying through at least the start of 2011. If we're playing well and winning... I think he changes his mind. If he hits really well, we may start to get better offers from teams in the hunt.
2) Opinion hasn't changed a ton, this isn't his first go-round on the trade me train. I think if he's still on the Rangers when the season starts he'll be the good trooper. Especially if we're in 1st place.
3) Over, Over, Over, Under. Young's the most likely to slip. Moreland's the most likely to be over. Andrus and Borbon are young and could develop, but I wouldn't be shocked if they we're under.
4)
vs LHP - Kinsler, Andrus, Hamilton, Cruz, Beltre, Napoli, Murphy, Moreland, Torrealba
vs RHP - Kinsler, Moreland, Hamilton, Cruz, Beltre, Murphy, Torrealba, Borbon, Andrus
5) Meh. Uhh... U2 again. But this is very low on the list of things I care about.
@jd21 Interesting thought...I've never thought of it that way, thanks!
1. If the Rangers can't get any talent in return, then they should attempt to find a partner for a straight salary dump. My guess is that they end up trading him to Colorado for a couple of spare parts while paying ~ 10 million.
2. Unlike CJ Wilson's move to the rotation, Young is likely devaluing his next contract by playing the field (barring him turning into Brooks Robinson or Roberto Alomar over night). I don't really care what happens, but I'd like a resolution sooner than later.
3. Elvis Andrus [.266/.323/.340] - over
Julio Borbon [.276/.314/.364] - push
Mitch Moreland [.272/.340/.442] - over only on OBP
Michael Young [.283/.336/.419] - under (assuming he stays in the AL)
4. VS LHP:
Kinsler
Napoli
Hamilton
Beltre
Cruz
Andrus
Moreland
Torrealba
Borbon
VS RHP
Kinsler
Murphy
Hamilton
Beltre
Cruz
Moreland
Andrus
Torrealba
Borbon
5. Muse
5.) Have a Bone Thugs n Harmony reunion ft Drake, RZA, Nicky Minaj in a really slutty and revealing outfit, then have LL cool J and Busta Rhymes come down from the rafters, and finally have everyone hop over a shark for the grand fireworks finally. Those white people up in Indy will never see it comin.'
Oh! And have Rick Ross parachute down wearing a fat suite and land in the crowd and injure 6 people. Let's see Indy prepare for that.
1a MY=9Mil should be traded to the Rockies for Aron Cook and Dexter Fowler
b He will be the Rangers DH for 2011
2 Hes been a team guy for a decade and now he wants something in return and the team treats him like this. But he is getting those 16Mill tho...
3 Elvis WAY over
Borbon push
Moreland slightly over
MY over on the BA only
4 Vs RHP 1 Borbon 2 Elvis
Vs LHP Fowler(if the Rangers get him) 2 Elvis
If not then Elvis one and Kinsler 2
5 Kid Cudi
5) Rihanna. Beyonce has already done it?
1 What should happen is the Rangers tell Michael Young to sit down and shut up and wait until about April 10th when Josh or Kinsler or Cruz get hurt and everyone is shifted around and Young is playing 1st or 2nd every day....What will happen is that Young is traded for some awful salary and maybe a patented Jon Daniels teenager (paisano, beltre, elvis)
2 My perception of Young is at an all time low. It makes me question anything he could contribute as a "leader" if he's more worried about how much money he will make after 3 more years of being paid 16m per year to inadequately do, than he is about the way his team can best compete with him still on it. My only hope as far as this is concerned is that it's one of those Rangers generated snow jobs and not something Young really said or thinks.
3 The over for Elvis and Moreland, under for Borbon and push for Young.
4 Kins hitting 2nd vs both
5 I'd give the halftime show to Ray Wylie Hubbard and then just tell them to fire me... It'd totally be worth it... Though Johnny Cougar makes sense in Indiana next year.
Want to revise what I said about trade partner taking 'at least half' of MY remaining salary...that puts TEX on hook for $24M over next 3 years. Uh, no thanks. Revise that to $18M over next 3 years and I'm OK with that. A third of his salary is fair enough, me thinks.
1 - Has Michael Young nixed his restricted trade team list? Haven't read that anywhere. Young is under contract. While I find it admirable that the organization wants to grant his wishes, were I making the decisions I would say point blank that he either plays or allows any team for trade. Then, if allowed, get the best deal possible. And I have no problem receiving low minor prospects if they have future value.
2 - I'm not worried about Michael Young.
3 - A projection is only a form of opinion. My opinion is I hope they are all over. But nobody knows.
4 - Michael Young has rarely shown good 2-hole tendencies anyway. But I think many need to follow the N.L. somewhat to understand what I just said.
5 - I could hardly care less about some Superbowl halftime entertainment. In my humble opinion, any dope that wants to spend that much money on a game deserves a royal ream anyway. What I am offended by is the repeatedly obnoxious National Anthem performers. Anyone who tries to put their self esteemed "talent" on display over the proper singing of our national song should be sent out back for a good tar & feathering. And that goes doubly for those that allow it to happen. It's a disgrace to our country. The moment I start hearing all the voice inflections and song alterations I'm ready to get a rope and find a tall tree. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but this repeated offense really eats at my craw.
1) what should happen: if JD can improve the team, then he should make the deal, otherwise, hang on to him and wait for some team to need a 2B/3B during the season to make a deal
what will happen: MY will be traded sometime this week for a couple of arms at least
2) I have no ill feelings towards MY. When Beltre was brought in by the FO, it was obvious that MY's role was largely unknown, and the most obvious position (DH) would not go over well with a 34 year old that can still play some defense at some postion. The FO is to blame for this, but ultimately it will make the team better and give some extra financial flexibility. If he is not traded, I don't believe things will sour too much, but I think he will make it known that he would like to be traded and would be willing to waive his 10/5 rights to make it happen.
3) Elvis: Over
Borbon: Over
Moreland: Under
MY: Over
4) RHP
Andrus
Kinsler
Hamilton
Beltre
Cruz
Murphy
Moreland
Torrealba
Borbon
LHP
same except with Napoli in for Murphy
5) I don't care too much, just something that will be fun to watch
I don't think "how much of Young's salary do the Rangers have to pay" is a relevant or meaningful question. The relevant and meaningful questions are (1) "How much is Michael Young worth to the Rangers, salary wise", and (2) "How much salary will the team we trade Young to pay?" If they will pay more than Young is worth, then it's a worthwhile trade. If the Rangers are giving up a player worth roughly $18m over 3 years, and are saving $28m, make the deal.
"JUST SHOOT ME"
"Over Singers", as Miss Christine A. grate me bigtime.
Seems ever since Whitney's & Mariah's generation
"Gills" arrived, the vocals are a competitive tonsillectomy
of splitting ear attacks. Thank gawd Celine is Canadian.
C'mon, please KNOW the frick'n words of our Nat'l Ant!
Archie Bunker: "Just shoot me..."
Peter Griffin(Family Guy): "Stop, Stop... that's just bad.
Sorry, I had to vent.
1. Trade Face + Cash for Esmil Rogers, Charlie Blackmon, and bad Lopez
2. I don't have a problem with it. Look at it from his perspective, if you think you can still play the field, why would you stay with a team that is making you DH? Add in the fact that he'll get to hit in Coors
3. Elvis - Over
Borbon - Push
Moreland - Over
Young - Push
4. Yes! Rosterbation!
V RHP:
SS Elvis Andrus
2B an Kinsler
LF Josh Hamilton
RF Nelson Cruz
3B Adrian Beltre
DH David Murphy
1B Mitch Moreland
C Yorvit Torrealba/Matt Treanor
CF Julio Borbon
V LHP
SS Elvis Andrus
2B Ian Kinsler
LF Josh Hamilton
RF Nelson Cruz
3B Adrian Beltre
DH Mike Napoli
1B Mitch Moreland
C Yorvit Torrealba/Matt Treanor
CF Julio Borbon
5. Rush!
Jack White and Jack Black doing only Elvis songs.
So Beltre and Young both had 19 errors last year. Anyone know how many put outs each one had?
@Philly-- Put outs arent in question. Fact is Beltre gets to a ton more balls than MY does. Same goes with comparing Andrus vs Jeter. Jeter had way less errors but Andrus gets to way more balls. Who is the better shortstop?
I love MY. I've been a huge fan for a long time. HOWEVER, his skills are diminishing. Am i the only one that saw how many times he let ground balls go by him in the playoffs which led to runs? You learn even before pony league that you get in front of the ball so that if it takes a bad hop, you still have a play on it. His reaction time is simply not good enough for a 3B.
I personally like the approach the Rangers are taking. Why are the Patriots constistently at the top of the league (outside of Brady)? When skills start to diminish with their players, they trade them while they can still get something in return, and they continually have a revolving door of quality young talent. This is smart business. It does suck that he is the current era's "Mr. Ranger."
The Rangers just have to make sure that they get something good in return or else there will be a lot of fan backlash.
I wasn't questioning who is better. I was just curious.
5. Lake Highlands HS marching band backing up the Kilgore Rangerettes, with a 15-minute time limit and no extraneous modifications to the playing field.
If MY wants to be traded, let HIM subsidize the salary out of his own pocket. If the Rangers subsidize around $20 mil they are only saving about $8 mil year. They won't be able to find another DH with comparable offensive production at that cost either now or in future years. Even if the Rangers chip in that much money, will they really be able to get that much back?
I don't blame him for being upset with his circumstances anymore than I blame any one of us joe schmoes for wanting to leave jobs with which we are unhappy, but if we walk we don't get paid. He has two options: do what he's told and get paid, stay home and live off the millions he's already made playing a game. Simple as that.
Wait - that was Christina Aguilera? Holy crap I thought that was Cyndi Lauper !
Unrelated to the MY situation... check out Tim Lincecum's new facial hair.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/04/picture-of-the-day-tim-lincecum-has-a-scarf-and-a-mustache/
1) I still believe that the rest, and less body wear/tear, that goes along with being a full time DH could propel MY well past 200 hits in 2011... HOWEVER, if May rolls around we can forget about all possibilities of trading him and will be on the hook for $48M, which will likely prohibit this team from making serious moves to obtain serious players. So JD and FO have to figure out if the short term benefit of keeping him is greater than the long term risk of having to pay him $48M when in 2012, 2013 he's reduced to an aging hitter. I think you have to do the SMART thing and trade him while you still have the chance.
(2) If we go back to 2008 and 2009 I remember media dogging on MY because he wasn't that great a leader. I remember Rudy saying he led by example. That's great and all but now you have a guy that's pissed off and demanding a trade. Is that attitude going to drown out his ":leadership" role... yeah, I think it will.
(3)
Andrus -- over
Borbon -- under
Moreland -- under
Young -- who cares... it won't happen here anyway.
4)
vs. RHP:
Andrus (SS)
Murph (LF/DH)
Hammy (LF/DH)
Cruz (RF)
Beltre (3B)
Napoli (1B)
Kins (2B)
Torrabela (C)
Borbon (CF)
vs. LHP:
Andrus (SS)
Kins (2B) *as much as it pains me to say
Hammy (LF)
Cruz (RF)
Beltre (3B)
Napoli (DH)
Moreland (1B)
Torrabela (C)
Borbon (CF)
** On days when Murphy plays, he's DEFINITELY my number 2 hitter. I believe he thrived in that role last year, correct?
Tim Lincecum is hilarious - he is a colorful, unique individual in a game full of stock characters, a real throwback.
1. He should only be traded if it helps the club.
2. I'm not concerned about Young turning into a cancer if kept...he wouldn't do that to the other players regarless of his feelings for mgmt. It's smart that he is looking after his best interest, unfortunately for him he won't be signed as a fielder on his next contract three years from now any which way. He has to get nearly 200 hits a season for the next 3 years to have much value.
3. ???
4. L R
Kinsler Borbon
Napoli Kinsler
Hamilton Hamilton
Beltre Beltre
Cruz Cruz
Moreland Murphy
Torealba Moreland
Borbon Torealba
Elvis Elvis
5. Guster
I listened to 15 seconds of the BIPs last night...then remembered that "Jerrah" was hosting his own half-time show on 1310 KTIK. It was so very much better than the tiny amount of BIPs I listened to.
5. USMC Silent Drill Team
1) MY can't play SS 2B or 3B regularly in 2011, let alone in 2014. At least not for a contender. I think MY stays put and fills the DH/utility role and does do capably. For all the discussions we have here, the common fan won't realize that MY was that close to being gone.
2) MY will put up a good public face when all is said and done, i don't think he will poison the clubhouse or anything. The problem is MY is looking out for himself, but overvalues his contributions....which is natural. You don't want a guy who in his heart believes he's not what he once was.
3) Over on Elvis, MY, Bourbon Under on Mitch...I'm not sold on him after he's been thru the league another time or two
4) Napoli DH against lefties, Gentry in CF
Josh/Murph rotate DH/Left against righties, borbon in CF
As far as the 2 hole, I would go with Kinsler
5) I would go back to the "Graying Legend of ROck" theme that was used in the middle of last decade
Not that it would happen, but I'd ask the Eagles and Pink Floyd...after they refused, then I go to Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top, Santana, Aerosmith
1. Trade him and get a good prospect.
2. I am a lifelong Ranger fan and have always admired MY. My perception is this, last year I watched Michael jump out of the way of hard hit grounders at least twice. Now if I am paying someone millions of dollars to get in front of the ball I expect that to happen. We teach our children to do it.....Geez.......I say don't let the door hit you in the ass Michael on the way out.
3. E.A. over
J. B. under
M.M. under
M.Y. under
4. I don't, I let the manager do that.
5. Pink Floyd
1. Young should be traded if an adequate deal can be scrounged up, or he should be forced to accept the role that's best for the team. Which is likely filling in when people need days off at DH, 1B, and maybe 2B/3B, or if there are injuries or Moreland doesn't pan out.
What will likely happen is he'll get traded for the best offer the Rangers can get, but it will be a little but slanted against Texas's favor due to the iffy situation. And if he isn't traded, he'll be given too much playing time.
2. My opinion of Young hasn't changed much, but I'd gotten over his past whine fest over being asked to make the team better and was prepared to wish him proverbial luck upon being traded. Now he's reopened my anger towards him and I wish him nothing but failure with his future team.
3. Over Elvis, Under Borbon, Over Moreland, Under Young
4. As it stands, I definitely want a Napoli/Murphy platoon (maybe DHing Hamilton against righties and starting Murphy in the field, but same batting idea). I would consider platooning Young and Moreland, but without Young, that idea is out. That's the only potential change for me to the every day lineup.
5. Switchfoot. Great energy live. Probably too esoteric for the Super Bowl, but people would deal when they realized they're awesome.