This season appears to be more of the same. A shell game on the public front, while working to fortify holes at first base, in our bullpen and most obviously the one left by Josh Hamilton. I have made a reference to this before, that while re-signing Hamilton isn’t out of the question, they will try to re-create him (as was said about Jason Giambi in Moneyball) in the aggregate. What we do know about that is that we tried to deal with Atlanta for a shortstop and spin him to Arizona for Justin Upton. That whole scenario shows us that for at least the next season, we will see Profar and Andrus playing in Arlington. Again, a message behind the scenes to fans but more importantly to Elvis Andrus.

Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels
(photo from ESPN)

The last two years, outside of the Nathan signing, all of the action has occurred from the Winter Meetings forward. We have been disciplined in not letting the market dictate to us what we do but being deliberate in staying our own course.  Not great for fans, but very good for the people holding the cards. And for the success for the team on the field.

Moving parts include getting the final shot at Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli (allegedly) but also trying to eye the strategy of our rivals. Namely the Angels.  The Winter Meetings are coming up a week from today in Nashville. Unless something ridiculous happens this week, this will be where the magic happens.

Aug 10, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz (background) makes an error during the seventh inning as Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler (foreground) watches against the Detroit Tigers at Rangers Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE

That being said, it was a very ugly game for the Rangers in the opener of the series against the Tigers. It wasn’t a must-win but it still was disheartening. And it doesn’t get any easier tomorrow when the Rangers, in their powder blues, will go up against Justin Verlander. Derek Holland goes for the Rangers.

A lot will be said about whether Ron Washington made the right decision to keep Feldman in the game against Fielder when he started to get into trouble and not going with Robbie Ross to get a lefty-lefty matchup. Feldman was going well in the game up to that point, and he has been the Rangers most reliable starter. However, he is still Scott Feldman and the batter was still Prince Fielder. I think Ross could have come in and done a better job, but that could just be the benefit of hindsight. It’s impossible for the result to have been any worse than what actually happened.

Josh Hamilton hit his league-lead tying 31st homerun and he looks like he is coming around as he also drew a walk and that is positive news for the Rangers as they go forward. The Hamilton watch will continue for the rest of the season as he tries to re-establish his worth going into what looks to be a very interesting free agency period for him.

(more…)