And The Beat Goes On: August 31st

This has been an irredeemably lost week from a blogging standpoint, and I'd like to apologize for that, and, hopefully, I don't end up mired in a hole like this again (nor end up posting this late in the day):

● The waiver-period trade deadline will pass late tonight, and as of late Friday afternoon, there is no indication that the Rangers will swing any sort of deal, with one source telling the FWST that the Rangers aren't expected to make any moves, and T.R. Sullivan noting on Twitter that everything is quiet in Arlington right now. There's been a lot of talk about how the Rangers could possibly benefit from swinging a deal for a lefty reliever or a right-handed bench bat or a utility infielder (the last of whom I felt we'd see the Rangers end up obtaining), but at this point in time, it looks like the status quo is going to remain in place, with Michael Kirkman presumably being in line for the No. 2 lefty spot in the bullpen and the plot thickening a little bit on the matter of who will end up being the Rangers' playoff UIF.

● T.R. Sullivan's latest inbox column focuses on the questions of whether the Rangers should have signed Matt Harrison to a long-term extension rather than Derek Holland, why Ron Washington continues to play Michael Young on an everyday basis (hint: because he feels his best lineup includes Young), and whether or not the Rangers should call up Jurickson Profar.

● Kevin Sherrington says that the Rangers can't drop Young from the lineup, because it could "potentially kill the clubhouse." Evan Grant names Elvis Andrus and Jacoby Ellsbury as his surprise subtractions and additions to the roster during this coming off-season, and ponders whether there could be a match on an Elvis for Ellsbury and Lester deal.

● Mike Napoli has still not been cleared to go out on a rehab assignment, and as more time passes, you wonder exactly what his status for the rest of the month of September into October is going to look like.