While April is way too early in the season for teams to start making changes with their managers (Well, unless your team is owned by a Steinbrenner.), that doesn't mean it's too early for teams to start thinking about a managerial change, or rumors to start swirling around that one could be on the horizon. Whether it's fair or not, it's a reality in baseball.After losing another ugly game on Monday against the Red Sox, the Rangers find themselves in a very familiar place, the bottom of the AL West. Obviously, no team is ever happy to be in last place, and according to ESPN's Buster Olney on his blog this morning, Ron Washington's days in charge of the Rangers may be numbered.
Scouts are like barometers, in that they often have an early reading of a storm developing off in the distance, and there is a buzz among scouts these days that Texas manager Ron Washington is moving into job jeopardy. That doesn't have any official bearing, but the fact that this is being discussed among the scouts is probably not a good sign for Washington.Unlike Buster, I don't talk to too many scouts around the league, so I'm not sure how to put too much credence into this. That being said, this could just be the first sign that Ron better start getting things turned around soon, or the Rangers may want to make a change.
But is that fair?
I mean, we're only in April here, and much like teams shouldn't be talking about the World Series yet, they also shouldn't just assume they're going to suck all season. Do you think the Tigers are only going to win 35% of their games this season?
Aside from the fact there's still a long way to go in the year, can Washington really be the only person to blame for the Rangers woes this early in the season? It's not his fault that his pitching staff is 11th in the American League with a 4.58 ERA. It's not Ron's fault that he has two pitchers currently on the disabled list, and a whole host of other players bothered by nagging injuries at the moment. Is it Ron's fault that his team has committed a league-high 22 errors on the season?
Washington's only at the start of his second season in Arlington, and with the position the Rangers organization was in when he took over, to only give him a little over a year to start getting things turned around is completely unfair. Of course, if the Rangers are 37-65 or something come the summer, that won't matter.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. i was weaned on baseball concessions as the daughter of a player, minor league manager, and major league coach...my disclaimer for my comments...so i've been around baseball most of my life. i live in dallas and it is painful to watch the rangers. they are not a good AAA team, hell, they are not a good AA team, in my book. washington will be on the hot seat because he is the face in the dugout making the moves. he is the easy fan target and easy front office scapegoat. Getting the players conditioned and schooled in the basics falls in his lap; getting the players on the field that might win falls in the lap of the front office. so i say, shame on them. nolan ryan is the pres. now and if he is not red faced embarrassed at this pitching staff then he should be on the hot seat for lack of interest or down right neglect. Point-in-fact, two games in boston should have walk overs to wins. Both starting pitchers got into late innings with the lead only to not get seated in the dugout and see their lead and their win lost by middle relievers, and, god forbid, the closer, wilson. i could rant on but sadly it will be washington that takes the heat for this team. Message to the front office: Find solid relief help, fast, but don't trade the franchise for it...and, if you can't find it, you better start looking in your farm for it....fast. Bring up the young kids who remember the basics, and know how to stay conditioned.
Posted at 1:46PM on Apr 23rd 2008 by char mcewen
2. interesting viewpoint. I, personally, don't think CJ Wilson has been terrible, but has just the 1 blown save you referred to.
what get's me is that Washington was supposed to be a "baseball guy", and in particular, was supposed to help our defense since he is considered an infield guru. however, the Rangers have a made a TON of errors. at one point last year, Ron said he "hadn't had time" to work with Ian Kinsler on his butcher defense. It's his job to have time!
but what is also noticeable is how down the Rangers are. there is a complete lack of motivation, and that starts at the top. in my opinion, not only is Washington on the hot seat, he could be out by the All-Star break.
Posted at 4:19PM on Apr 23rd 2008 by Adam
3. another thing about the Rangers, but totally not Washington's fault... look at what Volquez and Danks are doing. sure would be nice to have them around right now. hooray for front-office patience!
we must have one of the worst pitching coach staffs on record with all the guys that go somewhere else and succeed. yes, Rangers Ballpark is a difficult place to pitch, but the Great American Ballpark is a bandbox as well, and Edinson seems to be doing okay...
Rangers Baseball... the worst team in the metroplex for 30 years
Posted at 4:22PM on Apr 23rd 2008 by Adam
4. i agree with adam and as i said it is washingtons job to make sure they are schooled in the basics. i mean i got skin cancer for all the springs trainings i sat with my dad watching the pitchers do drill covering first; and watching infielders go over and over on coverage and taking ground balls while outfielders threw to cutoffs. This Ranger team looks, at times, like they have no clue on fundamental baseball. We were at one game recently, a close game, too. A slow roller was hit toward first, the pitcher and the 1B almost collided going for the ball, then when the 1B, who fielded it turned to throw to first, no one (ian kinsler) was covering. Ian was standing about 3/4's way between first and second just watching the play..., run scores. I said Washington should have them all out here after the game doing fundamental drills. Did he? doubt it. Should he? heck yeah. Another blog is the money these guys are making, and their "prima donna/diva" status the front office gives that keep managers from being able to really sit on them; what happened to fining ballplayers for boneheaded, bad play? they cry to the union. oh, don't get me started on that one.
Posted at 7:17PM on Apr 23rd 2008 by char
5. i think morale is low...why shouldn't it be. starting pitchers are losing or getting no decisions on games they pitched well enough to win. the offense is there but solid middle relief and a legitimate short reliever are non existent. Who does Washington have in the bullpen that he can go to confidently...Wilson can't be short reliever and closer...he needs help. And, yes, a blown save every now and again is expected...but does Wilson have the tools, mentality and confidence to be that "give me the ball" closer? Hmmmmm. Not if he is overused in the wrong situations. Both, front office and Washington have to get on the stick fast or this team is going to lose heart. sad.
Posted at 7:17PM on Apr 23rd 2008 by char