Some People Just Can't Be Happy

Some people just can't be happy. Case in point Star-Telegram writer Gil Lebreton. Even though the Texas Rangers are eight games ahead of everyone in the AL West and barring a complete collapse, they'll most likely reach the playoffs. Does Gil not realize how many teams would kill to have an eight game lead in their division? It doesn't matter to Gil, he found some way to complain about the Rangers. His complaint is about the trades the Rangers have made during the year. That can mean only one thing, time for a FJM style breakdown of Gil's column. His comments in italics.

Gone are the days, fortunately, when the New York Yankees could bolster a pennant drive simply by plucking someone off the roster of the Kansas City Athletics.

The Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates fans are crying right now. They're former players are littered across baseball right now. 

Now, girding for a playoff run takes prospects. Money. And as the Texas Rangers have been reminded firsthand, good health.

There was a point during the just-concluded road trip when the Rangers' infield was, left to right, Jorge Cantu, Andres Blanco, Joaquin Arias and Mitch Moreland.

The Rangers were also reminded this summer to spend your money wisely. Or you could end up bankrupt.

The lineup card looked like a spring training game.

What? Jorge Cantu and Joaquin Arias not a great 1-2 punch in the lineup? 

Perched at the top of the roller coaster that this 2010 season has become, Rangers fans have been looking down, wondering whether to scream or just hold their breaths.

The road trip, as it turned out, was a stinker. The Rangers were outclassed by the Tampa Bay Rays, who could well be their first-round playoff opponent. And they were played on even terms by the Baltimore Orioles, birds of a 44-81 feather.

They play 162 games, of course the season is going to be like a roller coaster ride. That's just too many games for a team not to struggle during some point during the season. And what is he complaining about? The Rangers are still 8 GAMES AHEAD OF THE ANGELS FOR FIRST! And I'm sorry to tell Gil this, but the Rays are just better than the Rangers. Deeper starting pitching, better lineup, tougher division. And the Orioles have been red hot since naming Buck Showalter the manager. 

What the Rangers learned, in the process, should not have been a surprise. But it was sobering, nevertheless.

A team can't lose its starting second baseman and starting right fielder, both All-Stars a year ago, and expect its lineup not to be affected.

Duh! Just ask the Red Sox and Phillies what it's like losing All-Star players. 

General manager Jon Daniels tried to bolster the playoff run by trades, plugging the holes with veterans, and the veterans have disappointed.

With the blistery-hot Minnesota Twins coming to town, the Rangers find themselves today just hanging on, hoping that they can play better, counting down the days until the injured Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz return.

Just ask the Giants about adding veteran players. Sometimes it works and sometimes it blows up in your face. And what are the Rangers hanging on to? Unless they play the Twins in eight straight games and are swept, they're not going to lose their division lead because of one series.


Random lessons, therefore, from a 2-5 road trip:

Gil is giving us lessons!

Cliff Lee -- He's not Superman, and manager Ron Washington is going to have to scale back accordingly.

Cliff Lee is Superman but the Orioles are his Kryptonite.

Lee has proven that he can pitch eight innings, even with only a one-run pillow for support. But why was he still on the mound in Baltimore in the sixth inning Saturday, having given up four home runs, while clearly not having his best stuff?


If the Rangers can't afford to give Lee a day off, Washington needs to be vigilant about giving the lefty at least parts of a day off. After all, as much as they think they need Kinsler, Cruz and Josh Hamilton for any October games, they doubly need Cliff Lee.

Obviously Ron Washington went to the Dusty Baker school of managing pitchers. These type of managers are never happy with their starters until their arms are falling off their shoulders. 

Cristian Guzman, Jorge Cantu -- Until one of them drives in a run, they shall remain linked on the disappointment ladder. Cantu is batting .250 with one extra-base hit in 40 at-bats. Guzman was 3 for 34 and said to be working on his swing with hitting coach Clint Hurdle when he suddenly came down with a quadriceps injury.

Worse, Guzman, who is being paid $8 million this season, appeared tentative during his few starts at second base.

It's hard to blame Daniels for either of these two's ineffective starts. Over his last three seasons with the Nationals, Guzman averaged .304 at the plate with 21 doubles, six triples and five home runs.
Where is that player?

Cantu was not acquired for his glove, but he was batting .262 with 25 doubles, 10 homers and 54 RBIs for the Marlins.

Haven't seen that guy, either.

What did you expect? The American League is a better league than the National League. I would have been more surprised if Cantu and Guzman tore up the American League. 

Tell me again, please: In the Alfonso Soriano/A-Rod trade, the Rangers had their choice of Arias and Robinson Cano, and they took Arias? Egads.

That sentence alone proves than not only the Yankees spend the most money, they are also the luckiest team in baseball. Egads!

Bengie Molina -- As a clubhouse presence, he has been every bit the positive force that he was billed.

Bay Area writers and Giants manager Bruce Bochy are shaking their heads in agreement.

But where's the bat? His former manager, Mike Scioscia, described Molina as a "great clutch hitter."

Haven't seen it.

That noise you just heard are Giants fans cackling in laughter right now. 

The fortunate thing is, the Rangers are still eight games ahead in the AL West standings.

Now he mentions the Rangers and their fans have nothing to worry about at the moment. I would be more worried if the Rangers were playing this way in late September.