Some Songs We Can't Afford to Play

As you will remember, I mentioned yesterday that the Rangers extended the contract of General Manager Jon Daniels through 2009. In honor of that incredibly dubious decision, I had a running conversation yesterday with Mr. Andrew Tuegel, whom you will recognize as the resident U2/Coldplay expert here at Running Down a Dream as well as a fellow Liverpool supporter.

Here's what transpired:

Andrew:
The Rangers just extended Jon Daniels' contract. I'm speechless.

Me:
That's like the American people saying, "Hey, you know this Bush guy really needs a few more years to sort this whole scene out. Let's amend the Constitution and give him a 3rd term."

Perhaps Hicks is too focused on signing Torres, Malouda, etc. and simply signed a contract renewal for Daniels without even looking at it. If Hicks did this knowingly and intentionally, well, let's just say I'm nervous about the future of LFC and the boys in Arlington.

Andrew :
This is worse than the Doc Rivers extension. In his short tenure, he has managed to take the Rangers from the middle of the table to the WORST team in major league baseball. On what planet is Tom Hicks living? Attendance is down, he's not making as much money, and we suck. There's no hope in sight. We're about to sell off our entire team. I mean there's just no way to justify this.

Me:
Also, this would have been a perfect example of the Sports Guy's argument that every team should have an Assistant VP of Common Sense to counteract the foolish decisions that often get made in the boardrooms of sports franchises.

"So you're telling me that you've only had one winning season in the last 8 years, the current guy has made tons and tons of bad moves, and you're the team with the worst record in baseball. Wait, you want to resign that guy? Are you kidding me?"

Me:
Since we seem to be getting in a rhythm with today's conversation, let me ask you a question: Have you ever visited http://www.sonsofthesportsguy.com/?

If not, go there to catch a glimpse of a community of embittered, angry people who only visit the message board to rip each Simmons column to shreds. I'm pretty sure that devoting a message board to ripping apart someone's sports columns might be one of the more pathetic uses of one's time, but I guess people are entitled to their opinions.

Andrew:
No, I've never visited the site. I've heard though, and I'm pretty sure Simmons has made fun of them a time or two. I think Hicks should hire you or I as GM of the Rangers. I thought about sending an application in with the tag line, "i couldn't do any worse." Also, this sucks for Ron Washington. He'll get canned at the end of the season and we won't even know if he's a good manager because he's been trying to coach a team with little league pitchers all year. He got his one shot at managing and now he'll be a bench coach for the rest of his life.

Me:
Interesting thought on Washington, but I have to disagree. It seems if Hicks is in a generous enough mood to give Daniels an extension that he'll give Ron at least another season. I guess I've just been so disappointed this year because all I heard in training camp was this immense optimism and how much the players loved Ron Washington. That is never to be confused with a substitute for quality pitching but sometimes chemistry can go a long, long way.

The problem with the 2007 Texas Rangers is that no one, besides you, me, Jacob Wardell, Lance Agan, Heath Huston, and Mason Orr gives a damn about the Rangers anymore. Sad to say, but there's a whole group of kids growing up who don't even know what it's like to even be in contention. Sorry, that was my Rangers rant for the day.

I am constantly hearing about all of the pitching talent (Eric Hurley among others) that we have in the farm system, and I hope and pray everyday that we don't sell off all of that talent simply to place a bandaid on the tremendous pitching problems that we currently have.

Andrew:
That's been our problem. We build these good prospects and then trade 2 or 3 off them for a crappy starter or another old outfielder or something like that. I would rather have the Marlins system of sell everyone off for prospects and then every 5-7 years you win a series.

I've heard rumblings that the players are starting to turn on Washington. That's not surprising because I'd be grumbling too if we were losing every game. I've also heard trade rumors for Tex, Gagne, Otska, Millwood, Lofton, and some of our bullpen guys. Tex is playing like his foot is out the door and it is smart to trade him. I'm just pissed because I know we will mess the trade up. We'll part with him for a 40 year old left fielder and the option on two single A pitchers and Daniels will call it a victory.

It is sad that I would consider it a success to make the playoffs and get swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Yankees like we did in our glory days. Also, i think Nolan Ryan punching out Robin Ventura was the high water mark of the Texas Rangers franchise.

Andrew:
Also, you know you've made a bonehead move when even ESPN's frontpage headline announcing the extension makes you sound dumb.

Me:
That's the equivalent of Paris Hilton telling you to re-examine your decision making skills.

Andrew:
Maybe we can convince Bush to buy the team again. His war record (and all around decision making record) may not be that strong, but he certainly didn't run them into the ground.

Me:
I was just reading the comments on the espn.com story that you mentioned, and everyone, I mean everyone, could not believe that Hicks gave Daniels an extension. It seems that if broken, pessimistic Rangers fans cannot accept your job performance, maybe you should move on out of town. Texas Rangers baseball: It's fannnnnnnnnnnnnntastic!!!

Andrew:
I realize we have a long way to go before we hit Cubs or Red Sox tortured fan base status, but we're headed there quick. It's like Hornby says in Fever Pitch, "you don't choose the teams you like. They're chosen for you. And you like them no matter what, even when they make stupid moves and buy players that you know can't play. But you still support them anyways." In this case it's a GM, but oh well. Do you think a law degree qualifies you to work in a baseball front office? These MBA's are trying it and screwing it up, so I want a shot at it.

Me:
Well, Theo Epstein has a law degree, and I would say that while he has not been flawless on the job, he's done pretty darn well. I talked to the Career Services Office at the law school about a possible internship with the Rangers and they said they had never heard of anyone doing that, but perhaps you and I could be the trailblazers.

Andrew:
Also, in response to Daniels' contract extension, the Rangers promptly lose to another underachieving team, the Chicago Cubs.