Mark DeRosa’s WBC blunder reminds Rangers why Skip Schumaker was the right hire

No reports ever suggested Mark DeRosa was interviewed for the Texas Rangers' managerial vacancy this past offseason, but many still viewed him as a candidate for the job.

DeRosa, who played for the Rangers in 2005 and 2006, is Team USA's manager for this year's World Baseball Classic (WBC) and held the same role during the 2023 WBC. His main job is as an MLB Network personality, but he also serves as the USA manager due to his likability and ability to bring people together.

It's unclear whether the Rangers were ever serious about considering DeRosa for their managerial vacancy, or whether he would've been interested in the job. Back in 2018, Texas was actually interested in DeRosa for its open manager job, but he declined an interview.

Regardless of whether DeRosa was actually considered for the Rangers' manager role, Skip Schumaker appears to be the right fit for the job. A complete disaster of a managerial performance from DeRosa last night further proved that's the case.

Rangers happy Texas didn't hire DeRosa after last night's USA disaster

Team USA ended pool play with a 3-1 record after losing 8-6 against Team Italy at Daikin Park in Houston last night. Italy moved to 3-0 after its win, and faces Team Mexico, who is 2-1 after losing to Team USA on Monday, tonight.

Due to how the confusing tiebreakers work, Team USA players could find themselves watching the quarterfinals from their couches. Only two teams from each pool can advance to the next round of the tournament.

It'd be a complete embarrassment if Team USA fails to advance to the next round. Sure, Italy has several notable big leaguers on its squad, including right-handed pitcher Michael Lorenzen, who hurled 4 2/3 shutout innings against Team USA last night, and first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino. But Team USA has built arguably the best WBC roster ever constructed, with superstars on the bench, and a pitching staff that includes Paul Skenes, Mason Miller, Tarik Skubal (for one start), Logan Webb and others.

To make matters even more embarrassing for Team USA, DeRosa had the "B team" play last night, with Bryce Harper, Alex Bregman, Cal Raleigh and Byron Buxton on the bench. To be fair, many of the "replacements" performed well, as Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two homers, Gunnar Henderson hit a homer and Will Smith collected two hits, so it's hard to fault DeRosa for having those players start. But Paul Goldschmidt should not have been starting in place of Harper.

DeRosa's most questionable move was having lefty Ryan Yarbrough pitch 2 1/3 innings over several relievers who have been more successful in their big-league careers.

A clip from MLB Network went viral near the end of the game, revealing that DeRosa already thought Team USA had advanced to the quarterfinals before last night's game.

What?! How can you be the manager of Team USA and not understand where your team sits in the standings? Given DeRosa's big mistake, it appears Texas made the right decision to hire Schumaker over Team USA's skipper.