Deconstructing Colonial

Chokefest in Fort Worth

It's my opinion that mid-level PGA tourneys like the Byron Nelson or the Colonial can only hope for several things:

1. Drama.

2. Big names clogging the top of the leaderboard.

You can't sit around moaning and groaning that Tiger Woods and other hotshots aren't coming to your party and wonder how you can get them next time. The Nelson and Colonial aren't the only tournaments in this situation. There's the Majors, the big non-Majors and the tourneys Tiger plays. The rest of the tourneys are in the same boat. Just trying to stay afloat.

The Colonial should be pleased. It ended with a three-way playoff, there were plenty of big names contending and by 10:30 Sunday night, people were still talking about you.

Anyway, the leaderboards and the leaders who lead it:

Steve Stricker -- -17
He won the thing and had he not, he would've kicked himself from here 'til next Thursday. Opened the weekend with two 63s and eked by with a 68 and 69. Still, $1.1 million is still $1.1 million.

Tim Clark -- -17
Choked? You bet.

Steve Marino -- -17
Just lucky to be here. Parred everyone to death Sunday.

Vijay Singh -- -14
He averaged 6.5 birdies Thursday and Friday and had five total birdies Saturday and Sunday. He wasn't awful, just not good. "Good" probably gets Veej to -18.

Jim Furyk -- -11
A -5 on Sunday. Just too little too late.

Justin Leonard -- -10
Was right there to start Sunday with a beautiful Saturday. Then he had to play 18 Sunday. Christ. A +2 including four bogeys and a double bogey on 13.

Kenny Perry -- -6
After a good Thursday, Perry simple didn't have it for the final three days.

Rory Sabbatini -- -6
A -5 put him at -6 for the tourney. Otherwise, it was a pretty lackluster tourney after winning the Nelson.

A Colonial Friday

Jeff Quinney: A dude who is not winning this tournament

At about 2 p.m. today, I thought Steve Stricker had the opportunity run away with the Colonial. On a Friday, no less. 

Although Stricker didn't nothing all day to lose any edge in taking this tournament, but the rest of the field wasn't going to sit back and concede. Big leaps from big-time players closed the gap in pretty short order in the latter rounds. Frankly, this weekend could be very fun in Fort Worth. 

The leaderboard and the leaders who lead it and the scrubs who anchor it: 

Steve Striker -- -14

Set a 36-hold course record with consecutive 63s. Has two bogeys and 16 birdies. 

Tim Clark -- -13

Birdied Nos. 11, 14, 16 and 18 to get to within one of the leader. 

Vijay Singh -- -12

Five front-nine birdies paced his entire par-filled day. 

Sean O'Hair -- -11

Mr. Slow'n'Steady for the weekend apparently. Hanging around the top. Let's see if he makes a movie or drops into oblivion by late Saturday. 

Justin Leonard -- -6

I can't imagine him getting into the top five, but it's definitely doable. Any golfer of ability can go home with a -8 on any given day. 

Kenny Perry -- -4

Perry drops hard with a bad +2, which would've sunk almost every other golfer who had had a bad Thursday. 

Geoff Ogilvie -- -3

Jim Furyk -- -3

Anthony Kim -- -3

Three heavyweights humbled. 

Rory Sabbatini -- E

Nelson champ barely makes the cut. 

Double dipping

Tommy Hunter: Making Crimson Tide fans proud since 2008

From 4-7 p.m., it looked really hard. 

From 7:30-10 p.m., it looked incredibly easy. 

Either way, the Texas Rangers took it to the Oakland Athletics letting the Metroplex and baseball nation that the rumors of their demise have been greatly exaggerated. 

Memorial Day could've been cataclysmic. It couldn't been the beginning of the end to this crazy ride the Rangers have taken us on. 

Sometimes, all you need is the Oakland Athletics. 

The Rangers sweep a doubleheader today 6-3 in the first game and 5-2 in the second. Nice, normal baseball scores that indicate that the opposing pitcher was going to have to be pretty special if they were going to win the game. The Rangers eked out enough offense for the two wins. 

Suddenly, the Rangers are 30-19 and 12-2 within their division for a nice 4.5-game lead (could be five the Angels lose tonight). 

These losses and the games Saturday and Sunday could also bury the A's. Yes, the vaunted A's that some had winning the stinkin' division are now 11 games under .500 and 11 games behind the Rangers. Good stuff. 

Notes: 

1. The Rangers have gotten really good starts all year. Tommy Hunter's afternoon start was no different. Hunter looked incredibly hittable and wild last year. More of the same in this start, but the difference was that he pitched smarter by changing speeds, location and pitches. Overall, it was a rough day for the big guy but he got you into the sixth inning allowing the very minimal of scoring. However, he did get incredibly lucky that no balls were carrying because I counted six times a Rangers outfielder corralled an A's flyball on the warning track (11 fly ball outs were recorded by Hunter). 

2. Ditto for Scott Feldman except he looked really, really good. Not the sharpest, but really good. The quality start results in a 4-0 start. Feldman labored some with the walks, but generally got out after out. 

3. Did you know that Feldman's allowed just five home runs in more than 48 innings? 

4. My buddy texted me from the nightcap and asked when Chris Davis was being sent to Oklahoma City. I felt he had some good at-bats, but something's got to be done. Depending on the next two games, it could be Monday or they'll give him another week. 

5. Rangers relief: 6.2 IP - 2 hits - 0 ER - 4 walks - 5 strikeouts. 

6. C.J. Wilson lowered his ERA to 3.05. He hasn't allowed an earned run in 10 games whilst compiling five saves, two holds and two wins. At times, it's scary, but I feel he's turned some kind of corner. 

7. Nelson Cruz is helping us forget Francisco Cordero. 

8. While Ian Kinsler "struggles," he's working the count and getting on base. Three walks today and his BB/K ratio is at a nice 23-28. 

9. Where is this team without Omar Vizquel, Darren O'Day and Andruw Jones: Three Jon Daniels pick ups largely ignored by 99 percent of Rangers fandom? 

Picking the scraps

Cain, very able

Baseball Prospectus tallied their odds for MLB teams to make the playoffs.

The super good news is that the Texas Rangers have a 55 percent chance of winning the division and a 59 percent chance of making the playoffs (as the division or wild card winner).

The other good news is that there are a number of teams with a 10 percent chance or less of getting into the playoffs, making them more likely to become sellers as the July 31 trade deadline inches closer and closer.

Several teams probably ain't going to be selling anything the Rangers want to buy. The Colorado Rockies have interesting pitchers, but I don't seem them getting loose. The Oakland A's and GM Billy Beane notoriously do not trade within the division. I think the Baltimore Orioles are content with keeping their young nucleus. And the Washington Nationals just suck and we already have our Adam Dunn. His name is Chris Davis.

With that said, here are some teams, some names, some rumors, some thoughts.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Brandon Webb
After Webb hurt his shoulder (for which he's currently rehabbing) the Dbacks rescinded their contract extension offer. He's relatively cheap with a $8.5 million 2010 option with a $500K buyout. He's also the Rangers wet dream and it would mean trading a shitload of good prospects if he's healthy and the Dbacks are selling.

Doug Davis
Having a good year, but he's old and sort of a has-been. He probably fits better with an established team (California, Boston) with all its pieces in place. However, if the Rangers are contending, but are faced with injuries in the rotation, he could be a cheap option.

Tony Pena
A fantastic off-season pick-up for the Dbacks. He's been a monster in the 'pen. He's cheap ($433K) and young (27).

Chicago White Sox
Mark Buehrle
Having a career year (2.59 ERA) and he's on the back end of a four-year extension two years ago. He's also had success at the Ballpark. He's 30 and would be under the Rangers control 'til 2011.

Octavio Dotel
It took a little bit, but he totally resuscitated his career. Dotel is back to his old ways with a 1.17 ERA. He's used as an eighth inning guy now, but considering his past he could, in theory, close should the need arise.

Florida Marlins
Chris Volstad
You get him (and it would take a pirate's haul to do so) and he shoots to the top of your rotation. Just saying.

Josh Johnson
A bit of a headcase a couple of years ago. He's 10-2 in his last 24 starts with a 136-43 K/BB ratio. He, too, probably shoots to the No. 2 spot in the rotation. Especially valuable if Vicente Padilla is not around next season.

Houston Astros
Roy Oswalt
Oswalt -- like Roy Halliday and Matt Cain -- is perpetually not on the trading block. However, his name comes up again and again. Recently, one pundit stated that Oswalt probably needs a change of scenery. How about Dallas? He's due $14, $15 and $16 million through 2011, respectively, and has a $16 million club option for 2012. He also owns a no-trade clause. He is 31, but has shown no real signs of slowing down despite a dip this season.

Wandy Rodriguez
I hardly doubt he's available but some pundits have him out there. I liked Rodriguez two years ago when I saw him pitch and I like him and his 1.71 ERA even better this year. He's arguably one of the top five pitchers in the league this year. So I would question his availability.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Ian Snell
Of this whole list, he's the biggest question mark. A big-time prospect, he's tanked as a pro, especially this season. He's 27 and probably could be had on the cheap. If Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux is the genius we think he is, Snell might be a nice look. However, he might also be worth kicking the tires on in the off-season.

Zach Duke
I doubt he pops free without having to give up the farm because he's young and really rounding into form, which might not make him available to begin with.

San Francisco Giants
Jonathan Sanchez
Apparently available for a middle-of-the-order bat. The Rangers have plenty of those. Not a top-of-the-rotation guy, but if we believe Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz are the real deal, then Sanchez could shore up the No. 3 or 4 spot.

Matt Cain
A No. 2 starter. Like others, he's perpetually "unavailable" but is constantly in rumors everywhere. A lot of fly balls but his strikeout potential alleviates worries there.

Jeremy Affeldt
Under contract through 2010 and is holding a 2.05 ERA. However, lefties are hitting .379 off of him. Affeldt is a lefty himself.

At the Colonial

IBF

Who knew that the story on the first day of the Colonial in Fort Worth would be a round of 68.

That was by Ian Baker-Finch. If you don't know his story, it's not unlike the many cases of the yips that we've seen in Major Leaguers and NFL kickers -- when the menial sports tasks are just too much.

Not unlike Steve Blass, Chuck Knoblauch, Rick Ankiel, Mark Wohlers, Mackey Sasser and Steve Sax, Baker-Finch simply couldn't play golf, a skill that resulted in a British Open championship in 1991.

For the first time in 1994, Baker-Finch put forth a solid golf effort at the Colonial yesterday. And he did so by birdeying the first two holes of the day. Somewhere, Colonial officials are licking their chops.

The leaderboard and leaders of note:

Woody Austin -- -7
Tim Clark -- -7
Not a bogey between them as they take the early lead.

Steve Stricker -- -7
Went 31 through the front nine. A person to contend with.

Kenny Perry -- -6
After a solid 2008, Perry's put together a so-so 2009 that included that collapse at The Masters.
Vijay Singh -- -6
Singh's first trip back to Fort Worth since Annika Sorenstam played.

Sean O'Hair -- -5
A personal fav of mine on the tour because his dad was such a dick to him.

Ian Poulter -- -4
Contended early at the Byron Nelson. Has six top 20 finishes this year.

Justin Leonard -- -4
Local favorite puts together another solid round after last week's Nelson.

Geoff Ogilvy -- E
Who says the Colonial can't get some big names. Vijay. Poulter. Ogilvy. Furyk. Cink.

Rory Sabbatini -- +1
Nelson champ chokes in the back nine with a +1.

D.A. Points -- +3
"Bills Quarterback" could not build on his success in Dallas last week.

Pitching carousel starting to turn

The heart is a lonely Tommy Hunter

Well, it took 'til late May, but the Texas Rangers starting pitcher carousel is in full swing.

First Vicente Padilla, now Matty Harrison, who will miss his start Saturday due to a bum shoulder.

Thus, Brandon McCarthy (and his arm that tossed 349 pitches last Sunday) will be moved to Saturday, Scooter Feldman will take the butt end of the Friday double header and ... drumroll ... Tommy Hunter will make the trip from Oklahoma City to pitch the first game tomorrow.

Hunter is a personal favorite of mine. He's a big, beefy inning-eater mother effer. I like that.

It's his first taste of the bigs in 2009 after getting dropped in Spring Training due to a shakey groin and sent to Frisco to rehab. He promptly was bumped to Oklahoma City.

Last season, he had a less-than-memorable taste of the bigs (a mere year after facing SEC hitters as the Alabama closer) in three starts.

A day late, a dollar short

(Sigh) Finally broke down and joined the Twitter.

Follow me at www.twitter.com/uweblog.

How long is too long?

If it weren't for the glove -- and no other replacement at first -- Crash might already be in OKC

The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies are mulling big, important issues nowadays.

These aren't your ordinary "tough" decisions that a franchise has to make. As hard as firing a manager or trading a player might be, if they're bad, it goes over well with fans and media.

But what do you do when a cornerstone of your franchise, a fan favorite can no longer produce?

The Red Sox stuck the struggling David Ortiz in the six-hole the other night. The 33-year-old DH is hitting a paltry .193 with one home run and an awful .298 on-base percentage.

The Phillies' problem is in the lefty arm of Jamie Moyer. The 46-year-old starter has a 7.42 ERA and has allowed 13 home runs in 47 innings.

However, both teams are winning (Boston tied for, Philly a half game out of the division), but the problems persist. Do you bench Ortiz, a legend in Boston sports for his mammoth, season-altering clutch home runs? What do you do with Moyer? The bullpen in Philly sucks enough. The last thing you need is a guy with no arm or confidence.

The Texas Rangers are facing a similar problem with very different circumstances.

Their problem: Chris Davis.

Davis has 71 strikeouts in 158 at-bats and 45 games. He's just 16 away from matching his Major League total from last year. And it's not getting better: He has 17 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

The Rangers have sat him and I'm sure vaunted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo has talked to him. At first it was an early-season, bat speed thing. Apparently, Davis can't get around on fastballs so he cheats, starts his swing too early and gets caught on the off-speed stuff. Over and over and over. It's not getting better and they're 45 games in.

Now, what makes this different from the Red Sox or Phillies is apparent. Davis' long-term tenure in this league has a much higher ceiling than Papi or Moyer at this point. He's 23 and in his first full season in the bigs.

Also, the Rangers are winning and Davis has had some big hits along the way. Also, Davis has played some excellent defense at first base, a lot better than they could get from Hank Blalock or Andruw Jones, the dudes that would play first should Davis not play.

The thing is, the Phillies and Red Sox expect to be contenders. The Rangers, on the other hand, are playing with house money. Right now, they have little to lose and have a much longer leash on Davis.

However, there's got to be a point where they do something, most notably send him to Triple A to work things out. Again, who fills in? Jones, Blalock, Salty? What do you do with Davis' confidence or the age-old means of figuring it out on the fly. It's not like every Major Leaguer hits a dead spot and has to figure it out by the next start or at-bat. They all do.

It's also be another thing if Davis were improving. But he's not. If the Rangers expect to truly compete this season, something has to be done. But what?

They were who we thought they weren't

Matsui

At the beginning of the baseball season, most anti-Yankee fans were giddy about the prospects of this overpaid group of players falling flat on their face.

For a while, that seemed to be the case.

Now, not so much.

The Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 9-2 last night to take the only series in Arlington this season. And I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed with the Yankees.

I think there's common misconceptions or things not truly realized about the Yankees that I carry and that others carry merely because we hate them so much.

Here's what I think:

Derek Jeter
Love him or hate him, he's the anti-Alex Rodriguez. Seems to be a sweet guy and a consummate professional that actually plays the game right. Look at it this way, if he were a Baltimore Oriole, St. Louis Cardinal, Chicago White Sox or San Francisco Giant, we would all love the guy. And he sets the tone for the entire line-up.

Mark Teixeira
OK, OK. We know that he's a money-hungry Scott Boras client. But what athlete doesn't want to get paid? When Mike Young got his big deal, no one batted an eye (until we tried to trade that contract and couldn't). When Kevin Garnett or Kobe Bryant get max deals, people are shocked but not a big deal is made. Mark Teixeira is a good hitting, really good fielding first baseman. Has he won anything? No. Has he had a real chance to? No. I'm not saying he's Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle, but he's really good at baseball. So what if he's an asshole?

The No-Names
I felt the Yankees would fail this year because they are very top and bottom heavy. They have no middle class. I might be wrong about that. Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner all look like solid guys you can stick near the bottom of the line-up and not think they'll get an out every time. They play the outfield and they compliment what you get from A-Rod, Jeter and Tex.

The Pitching
Yes, C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are overpaid. Yes, the bullpen is a question mark. But Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes are not over paid. If those guys give you solid innings and good starts, they're going to win games because C.C. and A.J. will get theirs one way or another.

Blowin' my mind

Bron Bron

I think the NBA and its fans are getting their comeuppance. At least the non-Nuggets and Magic fans.

Everyone -- including me -- were convinced that it was gonna be the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

Fairly convinced anyway. A KG-less Celtics would be no match for the Cavs more or less the other spares in the Eastern Conference.

As for the West, the Lakers were head over heels better than everyone the entire season. Considering they knew how to win in the playoffs, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Lakers were roll through the West.

Alas, that's why they play the games.

Lebron James and Co. are up against the ropes as the Magic have a dominant 3-1 lead in their 7-game series. The Nuggets are giving the Lakers all they can handle with a 2-2 tied series heading back to Los Angeles tonight.

I think the Cavs-Magic upset is most surprising. The Magic took advantage of a milquetoast Eastern Conference all season. Yes, Dwight Howard is great and the rest of the team are formidable. But who was guarding Lebron? I guess the more pertinent question should've been "Who's guarding the Magic?"

I don't buy that a team can't win with a dominant superstar. It's bunk. The Bulls won a lot with Jordan and some ragtags. The Lakers won with Shaq-Kobe and some superspares. The Miami Heat won with Dwayne Wade and his James Posey luck charm. Most championship teams in the NBA are one or two stars and a group of marginal role players. Granted, they play their role well, but they have no business winning playoff games.

The problem is if another team's role players show up. It's bad enough that Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are doing their thing, but when the rest of the line-up produces, you're gonna lose. It's not that non-Lebrons are not scoring. They are. It's just they're not defending anyone on the other team.

Defense being the great equalizer.

Is anyone interested in a Nugget-Magic Finals? Yes, they earned it, but ... blech.

Now Gregg Ellis can go bitch about his contract for another team

Good luck getting a new contract from the Raiders, Greg

I have never been shy from calling out the likes of Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Ellis.

Several years ago he was considered one of the "good guys." So when he started bitching publicly about his contract it was a surprise. When he held out due to "injury" when really it was a contract issue, it was worse.

Then he bitched again. Then again.

He bitched so much that it was really silly. In fact, he might have bitched himself out of a job.

The Cowboys announced they'll either trade or release Ellis this off season.

Good riddance. The minute Ellis went to the media and complained about his contract, he ceased being a "good guy." He became a bad guy. A bad guy you don't want on your team or anywhere near your franchise. He's a bad egg.

Why was Ellis a "good guy" to begin with? Basically, because he hadn't been caught. And it's true. Ellis has never been arrested or caused a fuss in illegal fashion off the field. And been caught.

The key here is that Terrell Owens never did anything illegal. Did he have disputes? Does he have a giant ego? Does he cause controversy? Yes! But never did Owens wave guns around, go around clubs all the time at ungodly hours with nefarious cohorts.

In theory, Owens is a "good guy." But we all know this isn't true and if everyone doesn't realize that Ellis is no different, then that's silly.

The Cowboys will not miss anything without Ellis. Anthony Spencer should be as good, if not better. The Cowboys will probably miss Owens, Pacman Jones or Anthony Henry more.

Yankee doodle dandy

Lettuce making it happen

It's very pussy of me to come in today and talk about the Texas Rangers' 7-3 win over the New York Yankees late last night a day after I didn't come in and say a peep about their anticlimatic 11-1 loss on Memorial Day.

First of all, 11-1 happens all the time in sports. Remember several weeks ago when the Yankees were clobbered 44-2 by the Cleveland Indians on broadcast TV? Or last week when the Chicago White Sox were creamed 59-4 by the Minnesota Twins?

What happened next? The Yankees started winning and are now near the top of their division. The White Sox threw Gavin Floyd out the next day and he tossed a 2-hit shutout.

The thing is, you can't overanalyze or freak out. And that's what I would've done had I blogged about 11-1.

Anyway, a really nice win last night when the only reliable pitcher was Darren O'Day. Kevin Millwood's stuff stunk, but he battled through nearly six innings. Pitching aside, the offense kinda carried them. Nellie Cruz, Ian Kinsler, Marlon Byrd and Chris Davis all had big hits.

But I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the biggest hit of then night.

Bottom of the sixth inning. The Yankees just chased Millwood from the game after tying the score. It seems the momentum is shifting. Marlon Byrd smashes a 1-out double. Chris Davis strikes out.

So, two out, Byrd on second, tied game, momentum shifting. A run here prevents the shutdown inning. Jarrod Saltalamacchia at bat.

I don't know if it was the first pitch. Seems like it was. He had already struck out twice. Anyway, it was a fastball that was very much an inside ball, I think, and Salty gets a meaty part of the bat on it (great bat speed to get around) and bloops it into right field. Great baserunning with two outs by Byrd and he scores easily. 4-3, Rangers. That's all they really needed.

I don't know how many "big" hits Salty has, but he's had his fair share of game-tying or game-winning hits this season.

And I love the gloveless look in the batter's box.

Notes:
1. Is Nellie Cruz capable of a 30/30 season? His OPS is now at .932.

2. The Rangers bullpen didn't allow a walk in 3.1 innings. Hits, yes. But hits are hard to come by. Walks are you shooting yourself in your own foot.

3. It's worth noting that in limited time, David Murphy's walk-strikeout ratio is manageable at 14/22.

4. Inning-ending double plays in the seventh and eighth sealed this game.

5. The Rangers have the best record in the America League at 27-18.

6. The Rangers have a four game lead in the AL West after another California Angel loss.

Rangers in on Kikuchi

The Texas Rangers have taken multiple routes toward collecting the biggest and baddest farm system in the Majors.

Part of this has been signing young foreign talent, mostly in South and Central America. As of the last few years, their reach has spanned to the Pacific Rim.
The Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers are apparently in on getting lefty high schooler Yusei Kikuchi from Japan.

He's about 6-0 and allegedly is the best high school pitcher in the country. He has a screwball, slider, curve and fastball. He's also deemed "aggressive."

All growns up

Anthony

I had this post planned last week and I put it off.

As luck would have it, Carmelo Anthony proceeded to have the two worst playoff performances of his career going a total of 7-29, 1-10 from three-point range, 11 fouls, eight rebounds and eight assists over the last two games against the Los Angeles Lakers.

This has been Anthony's coming-out party.

I probably saw more Anthony in the 2003 Final Four than I actually noticed in his six years in the NBA. Don't get me wrong, I've seen Anthony play probably two dozen times and I've seen him put up incredible numbers.

But never, before now, did I think Anthony was anywhere near the level of Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Kobe Bryant or any player of that ilk. A player that can redefine a game, put his team on his back and win it almost single handedly.

Size- and skill-wise, there's only one other player that rivals what Anthony brings to the table (6-8, 230, strong, athletic, quick) and that's Lebron James.

Kobe and Wade aren't big enough. Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Dirk Nowitzki are too slow. Rarely in basketball have you seen a guy built like a large linebacker with the quickness of a cornerback or running back. In fact, it's a valid argument that Anthony has one major trump card over James and that's a more consistent long-range shot.

What brought down my opinion of Anthony was probably just between his ears. Not that Lebron, Wade or Kobe don't like to party or not that they're brain surgeons or anything, but Anthony always seemed to be missing a key ingredient that would put him on the same tier. Maybe it was effort. Or motivation. Maybe seeing Kobe, Lebron, Jason Kidd and others during the Olympics day in and day out flipped a switch. Maybe he realized there's a lot more to consider than your points per game and your next contract.

Anthony has turned it on. Yes, he has Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith and Nene, but that's not exactly murderer's row. It's not the 2008 Boston Celtics. It's not a dream team. It's one really good point guard and a bunch of guys that could be sixth men on other teams. But it's a team that works and it works because Anthony works. Anthony seems to get it. He's averaging 27 points a game. He's hit 30+ six times including five straight before the last two games.

This development fits right where the NBA wants this league to go.

Basically they have a cadre of superstars that are all 23-27 years old that, year in and year out, make something happen in the NBA. Just about every NBA superstar of note had the ying to their yang. Bird-Magic. Wilt-Russell. Jordan-a whole cluster of foes. Reggie Miller-Spike Lee.

Every golden age of this league has come with some significant rivalry. Well, what if the NBA's on the bring of a whole slew of rivalries?

If every year the NBA could count on Lebron, 'Melo, Kobe, Bosh, Howard and Wade to be somewhere near the conference finals, they'd be tickled pink. Right now with Howard, Lebron, 'Melo and Kobe battling it out, it's already looking like a classic round of games. Series, games and actors that might go down in league history.

Furthermore, it's worth noting how the league was dramatically changed by the 2003 draft.

In the first round alone, I count 13 "good to great" players, six All-Stars, five Finals and two championships (Kendrick Perkins, Wade). And this doesn't include the second rounders such as Mo Williams, Kyle Korver, Zaza Pachulia, Steve Blake and Luke Walton. All role guys, but meaningful.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have three guys from this draft: Lebron, Sasha Pavlovic and Williams.

The tipping point for the NBA was the 2003 draft. Can this explosion continue? Or does it have a ceiling?

The great Sabbatini

I am woman, hear me Rory

The organizers behind the Byron Nelson Championship want several things. 

Competitive play and some dramatic finishes. Someone worth note to win the thing. 

I think they got a little bit of both. Rory Sabbatini won the thing. He's "local" plus he's relatively well known in the golf ranks. 

As for the competitiveness, I don't know whether or not Sabbatini's win was in doubt, but Brian Davis' eagle on No. 16 certainly made it a lot more interesting. 

Anyway, another good week of golf at TPC Four Seasons. Nelson folks should be pleased. 

The leaderboard: 

Rory Sabbatini -- -19

Played three pretty superb days of golf (65, 64,65). Could really never be caught and I think we all knew this. 

D.A. Points -- -16

"Bills Quarterback" was undone by a "poor" 68 on Thursday. 

John Mallinger -- -13 

Sabbatini's main competition over the weekend. Right there to start the day and he bogeys two of the first three holes. 

Fred Couples -- -11 

Good to see good ol' Freddy competing on a very high level. 

Vijay Singh -- -8

Nelson folks would've love to see Vijay take this tournament. Never had enough gas to get back into it after a poor 70 on Thursday. 

Justin Leonard -- -8

A disastrous 75 on Thursday sunk him, but he rebounded really well. 

Counting our blessings

McCarthyism

Watching the Texas Rangers sweep the Houston Astros (and thus gain a monumental headstart into reclaiming the coveted Silver Boo), it made me think of the largest city in the state of Texas. 

Three reasons why I feel blessed this evening: 

1. I don't live in Houston, a God-forsaken land. 

2. I don't have to watch Brian Moehler or Mike Hampton take the mound every fifth day.

3. I don't have to watch Carlos Lee patrol left field. "Lumbering" may be an understatement.  

4. I don't have to watch a ball game in that abortion of a ballpark. It's too tricked up. The train. The hill in centerfield. The foul poles in play. I don't mind the glass background in left, left centerfield, but the abandoned look where there could be seats is depressing. Also, if Detroit's Comerica Park was a pitcher's park, then Minute Maid is definitely a hitter's. Particularly the Rangers. Random fly balls zoomed out of that park. It's like a little league park. 

Anyway, after a sweep at the hands of the Tigers, the Rangers roared back with their own sweep in Houston to eke over .500 on the road (12-11) and reach 26 wins and a nice 2.5-game lead in the division. 

Considering the Detroit sweep and what lay ahead for the Rangers, getting these three wins could prove most valuable. Competition on the lowly level of the Astros will not be seen for a while. 

Notes: 

1. I thought Brandon McCarthy was spectacular. He just threw strikes. The fastball was a strike. The curveball was a strike. It wasn't overpowering and he did allow nine hits, but unless your name was Miguel Tejeda, you were not doing much. He did have 14 flyball outs, but probably 10 of those were simple, whimpy pops in the outfield or shallow outfield. 

2. McCarthy's ERA dropped a whole point. 

3. The Texas Rangers have five sweeps this season. They had three in all of 2008. 

4. Scooter Feldman is worth mentioning too. He was pretty great Saturday. Probably the best start this year for him. He threw really hard (94-95 mph fastball) and cruised 'til the seventh inning. 

5. Nellie Cruz: 5-12, three homers, six RBI. 

6. Rangers: 10 homers, seven doubles in Houston. 

7. Apparently, the Texas Rangers have the worst third-base coach in Major League Baseball. Bar none. He's Dave Anderson. All season he's been awful. Mainly, he plays it safe and holds runners at third that never reach home. Saturday, Omar Vizquel was on first base and David Murphy doubles. It looked like right fielder Hunter Pence played the ball well and Vizquel plodded around second base. Surely Vizquel would be held with Josh Hamilton next and one out. Nope, he was sent home and was out by a mile. 

Sunday, Mike Young walks, Josh Hamilton hits a rope to right field. I thought for sure Young would get to home and Hamilton would slide into third. Nope. Young is held up (granted, he has a bum wheel, but Young at 80 percent is 25 percent faster than Omar Vizquel) and runners are at second and third. 

Making love to the Nelson leaderboard

Golfing is fun blogging

PGA tournaments like the Byron Nelson Championship -- mid-level affairs that can not attract most of the big names or most of the top-flight Euros -- need one thing: drama or the big remaining names to compete. 

Here's who missed the cut at the Nelson: Anthony Kim, Adam Scott, Scott Verplank, Ian Poulter and Stuart Appleby. 

Yes, that leaves like three golfers that I know that will play Saturday and Sunday. 

On Sunday night, ESPN will have a headline on their main page going like this, "(Insert name here) wins Nelson." Now, if Kim, Scott, Poulter or Rory Sabbatini, the headline probably stays up until Monday morning. 

Brian Davis, James Driscoll or Ken Duke win and the headline's down by 8 p.m. Sunday. 

The board: 

Rory Sabbatini -- -8

Nelson folks gotta be tickled pink to have the "local" guy with some national cred in contention on Saturday. Unfortunately, the scabs he's up against probably won't make good TV. 

John Mallinger -- -8

Goes -5 Friday to jump to the top. 

James Nitties -- -7

Rooting for the guy who loves chasing skirt. 

D.A. Points -- -6

"Bills Quarterback" makes a move. 

Fred Couples -- -5

A sweet -4 Friday to jump to within three shots. A Couples win puts the Nelson in the headlines. 

Davis Love III -- -3

Nelson folks would kill for a Couples-Love III pairing Sunday. 

Vijay Singh -- -3

Another guy that could put the Nelson in the headlines. 

Justin Leonard -- -2 

I criticize the guy and he shoots a -7. With that said, Justin Leonard sucks! 

Todd Hamilton -- -2

Local guy, hanging around. 

We'll take it

Holland

Four five innings, Derek Holland was gold.

It was first big-league start and he looked like a pro. For five innings, he looked like a vet out there challenging batters and battering the strike zone like crazy (52 of his 76 pitches were strikes). 

For five innings, he looked like everything we think he is. 

Then the sixth inning happened. Lance Berkman has made a lot of pitchers look silly in his career and Holland's no different. It was a mistake and Holland will probably make a lot more in his career. 

Thankfully, the Rangers offense eked out enough runs and Jason Jennings was taken out of the game for a nice 6-5 win in Houston over the Astros. Another chapter in the Silver Boot series has fallen. 

Holland was good. No walks. Just five hits and four strike outs. Only three earned runs. Didn't quite make six innings. Knowing Holland, he'll learn and do better next time out. Nothing to be ashamed of in a win. 

Notes: 

1. How great is it to have Holland making an impact on one side of the ball and Elvis Andrus, the 20-year-old, making an impact on the other side. Heck, on the one side we didn't really think he'd make that big of an impact. The King had his first big-league 4-hit game including his third homer. He's hitting a great .292 and has only 16 strikeouts in 120 at-bats. He averaged about 90 strikeouts in the minors with about 485 at-bats. 

2. What a find Darren O'Day's been. A spotless 1.2 innings. His ERA as a Ranger is 1.69. 

3. Frank Francisco lays it down. ERA still at 0.00. 

4. The last 10 days, Ian Kinsler's average has dropped about 30 points. Yipes. 

5. How big has Nellie Cruz been? Not exactly hitting .320, but he drew two walks and hit the game-winning homer in the 10th. 

The battle for the Silver Boot begins again

Minor Threat IV

Doug Mathis' ears have a .210 BAA

Our weekly drive through the suburbs of Rangers baseball: Oklahoma City, Frisco, Bakersfield and Hickory.

Oklahoma City RedHawks
Neftali Feliz took about 11 days off in early May after some struggles. In the two starts since returning: 13 IP - 2 ER - 2 BB - 11 K.

Doug Mathis hasn't allowed a run in two starts (11.2 IP).

Max Ramirez looks unimpressed with picture day.

Steven Murphy is in Oklahoma City.

Frisco RoughRiders
Guilder Rodriguez is hitting .301 with a .369 OBP. Not a high ceiling, I wouldn't think, but, still, a guy that can probably serve in utility purposes, at the very least.

Since early shake-ups, both Pedro Strop and Andrew Laughter have settled down a little with multiple crisp outings in a row.

Bakersfield Blaze
Despite three good outings in a row (six ER, 23 IP), Blake Beavan has allowed 49 hits in 46 IP plus a .271 BAA.

Matt Lawson is well on the way to eclipsing every hitting category from last year. At a good .304 clip right now with hits in nine of his last 10.

Opponents are hitting a square .300 off of Tanner Roark. Fortunately, he hasn't allowed a homer and just four walks in 20 innings.

Engel Beltre is hitting .247. Sad. However, believe it or not, he's in the middle of a 14-game hit streak and is bashing at a .325 clip in his last 10.

Joey Butler needs to lose the "Y" is his first name. Furthermore, Butler is retaining some of the form he brought out of the draft last season. Average up to .287 despite a disappointing .327 OBP (down from .417 last season).

Welcome back, Cody Podraza.

Despite a poor ERA, Kennil Gomez has 13 K in his last 10 innings.

Hickory Crawdads
All Tyler Tufts has done as a professional is get outs: 57 IP - 51 hits - 10 ER - 1 homer - 13 BB - 41 K - .235 BAA over last year and this year.

Joe Wieland is 19 years old. He's allowed eight walks in 47 innings.

Welcome back, Leury Garcia.

Michael Hollander made his pro debut for 2009 seven games ago. He's hitting .320 so far.

Erik Morrison is in Hickory. Hitting .343, he won't be for long.

Pitching is the idea

Can you Feliz it?

Some nights during the baseball season throughout an organization, strange things happen. Particularly for the Texas Rangers the last two seasons, that's been good pitching.

Strange, indeed.

Last night was one of those nights where from Low-A Hickory to the big-league squad, the Rangers got decent to great pitching.

Let's chronicle yesterday's performances.

	IP	Hits	ER	W	K	Outcome
Kevin Millwood	8	6	4	4	3	L
Neftali Feliz	6	4	1	1	4	W
Kasey Kiker	3.2	2	2	3	7	W
Richard Bleier	7	7	3	0	8	L
Carlos Pimental	6.2	6	0	1	6	L
	31.1	25	10	9	28	2-3

Some very interesting things.

First off, great performances from Pimental, Bleier were wasted; however, they're consistency should be noted. Especially Bleier, who could be on the fast track for Frisco.

Also, a second-straight fine performance for Feliz.

Kiker was disappointing considering his OK season so far. Ironically, the worst performance still resulted in a win (Pimental lost 1-0 ... Millwood and Bleier each lost by one run).

Overall, I think we can good things from this little table. That at every level there is good pitching going on. Now, if we can get it all in Arlington, that'd be super.

Gazing at the Nelson leaderboard

Hunter Mahan's head eked above the threshold; his score didn't

The Byron Nelson Championship snuck up on me. For three weeks, it was "PGA headed to Texas" in a continuous loop in my brain.

Last week San Antonio. Next thing I know, it's Thursday afternoon and guys are finishing their first rounds.

Anyhoo, be prepared to be underwhelmed:

Ken Duke -- -5
A really good back nine (four birdies) puts him tied at the top. If Ken Duke should walk up and punch me in the face, I still wouldn't know who he is.

James Nitties -- -5
A rookie Aussie. Never heard of him, but according to the PGA media guide, his hobbies are "clubbing, chasing girls and movies." Says Nitties, "It's typical of a guy; I'm just the only one that actually says it." I love athlete transparency. Too bad it'll disappear if he starts to win.

(Skipping non-leaders I don't know)

Mike Weir -- -4
Other than Charles Howell III (yes, he got off the island with Lovie), Weir's the only guy near the top that I've heard of.

Chris DiMarco -- -3
He's local, right? Or am I thinking of someone else?

D.A. Points -- -2
Doesn't he sound like a default player from Tecmo Bowl? Like "Bills Quarterback."

Greg Chalmers -- -2
Not related to "Super Nintendo" Chalmers. Or Mario.

Rory Sabbatini -- -2
"Local" and probably the only real "legit" guy anywhere near the top. Could definitely move up quickly.

Anthony Kim -- -1
If the Nelson folks had their druthers, they would want Kim (or Vijay Singh) to win this thing. Well, I guess if they had the choice, they would rather have Tiger Woods lose, but him coming to North Texas ever again is a pipe dream.

Ian Poulter -- -1
Watch out.

Fred Couples -- -1
When's the last time Couples was under par?

Vijay Singh -- E
Had it.

Chad Campbell -- +1
I think he's the local guy I'm thinking of. Not DiMarco.

Todd Hamilton -- +1
How do you go from competing near the top at The Masters and going one over at TPC Four Seasons?

Adam Scott -- +1
Remember him?

Justin Leonard -- +5
When can we stop pretending that Leonard's ever going to do anything worthwhile again?

Thus, it begins

Tonight is the night

The inclusion of Elvis Andrus in the opening-day roster for the Texas Rangers was a gigantic step (risk) in the future of this franchise.

However, it is not as monumental as tonight. Tonight, we finally see the fruits of GM Jon Daniels' labor as he started to rebuild this franchise from the very bottom up.

Yesterday, Vicente Padilla was placed on the disable list.

Closer Frank Francisco was taken off the disable list.

And golden boy Derek Holland was named the starter for Friday's tilt against the Houston Astro.
Yes. Finally. We get to see one of these prized prospect starters in action, as an actual starter.

Position players (Andrus, Saltalamacchia) are nice. But this team's always had good position players.

But this team's never really had good, home-grown pitching. Well, they've certainly never had it in the current quantitative or qualitative state.

The Rangers have good pitching in the minor leagues. And they have a lot of it.

Holland is the first. Holland may get blown up tonight (if you're going to start against a team for the first time, the Astros are as good a team as any). But it beats what the Rangers have done the last 10 years: Throw out a has-been starter (Sidney Ponson, Kris Benson, Jason Jennings).

This is a marquee, red-letter day for the Rangers franchise. Tonight starts the (we think) positive, upward direction for the next five or so years.

Tonight defines Daniels' legacy as a general manager. Tonight could define Rangerdom for the next decade. Maybe.

To all the runners I left behind

Chances are, the ball landed in Lansing, considering the Rangers luck in Detroit

I realize as Texas Rangers fans, we should all be happy that they're where they're at considering most had little expectations.

However, we can't be pleased. 0-6 at Comerica Park in cruddy Detroit. Two sweeps. Another close loss -- 4-3 -- after the Rangers screwed opportunity over opportunity.

The Rangers left 33 baserunners in this 3-game sweep. 33! Sixteen of those were left on Thursday and four were left in scoring position with two outs, including runners on second and third by Mike Young (and this doesn't include the game-ending double play ... clutch, my ass).

Ridiculous! Thankfully, Nellie Cruz drove in two to improve that line a little bit more.

Furthermore, the Detroit bullpen was either really good or the Rangers merely had nothing left late in the game.

First of all, you don't let Edwin Jackson toss 132 pitches and get away with it.

Secondly, you can't let the Detroit bullpen do this to you:

6.2 IP - 6 hits - 2 runs - 1 walk - 8 strikeouts.

Furthermore, Comerica Park, a pitcher's park my ass.

The Rangers allowed five home runs in the final two games. Thirteen Detroit runs were scored in three games. Seven of the runs were scored via home run.

Notes:
1. How does a team lose a 4-3 game with eight hits, six walks and five stolen bases? Ask the Rangers.

2. No more Clete Thomas please.

3. Miggie Cabrera scares me.

4. Matt Harrison's dominance ended with a couple of gopher balls.

5. David Murphy's average jumped almost 40 points over the past three days.

Playing the trade game

Don't go, Matty, don't go

Jamey Newberg is the grand poobah of Texas Rangers baseball. If you're not reading Newberg and his so-called Report, then you're missing something. Especially if you love the Ranger nearly as much as he does.

He shoots you fairly straight, but still wears his Rangers heart on his sleeve.

The other day, Newberg played the arsonist: He set something on fire and slowly walked away with his hands raised in a "wasn't-my-fault" way.

He brought up the itchiest subject in Rangersland today: Trading prospects.

It's going to happen. We think. It should happen. A good farm system helps you in developing your starting line-up with young, home-raised studs, but it helps you even more in bringing in quality talent to help you win.

The Rangers franchise is in first place in the AL West because of their own talent. But they will never take the next step (playoffs, a pennant, Series) without the talent of another team.

Yes, yes, the Yankees of the 1990s won with their own talent (Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter) but they also traded for and signed good talent like Paul O'Neil, Scott Brosius, Tino Martinez and David Cone. They never win those Series without those guys.

This summer, we might see a lot of young prospects go. Which is ironic because prior to being named the best farm system in baseball, the Rangers were lambasted by fans tired of collecting unknown talents in Low-A or High-A ball instead of improving the big-league team. With the Rangers super deep in the system, they're probably going to trade some of these names and fans will probably bitch about that, too.

It will be sad. Kinda. I realize it's part of the business and game, but Rangers fans have had their minor league IQ improved by 120 percent the last three years and the prospect of these guys blooming elsewhere is slightly depressing.

Anyway, Newberg proposed an interesting set of trades:

"Would you trade, say, Harrison and Justin Smoak for Matt Cain? For Chris Volstad? For Josh Johnson? Harrison, Michael Main, Max Ramirez, and Jose Vallejo for Jake Peavy, if he’d change his mind about that no-trade clause?"

Harrison is the most interesting name. In the post, Newberg compares Harrison to Greg Smith.

Smith was a prospect with Arizona until he was put in the blockbuster Dan Haren trade two years ago and shipped to Oakland. He served Oakland admirably. Leading them in a lot of pitching categories and looking like a guy they could move forward with.

So what does A's GM Billy Beane do? He ships him to Colorado over the winter in the Matt Holliday deal.

Like Harrison, Smith is a softer-tossing lefty, highly-regarded in the system, made a huge splash in the majors and look like the future No. 2 or 3 starter ... except, Smith was swapped for a MLB proven talent in Holliday. Harrison is still a Ranger. For now.

I love Harrison. I believed in him in the minors and I still do as a major leaguer. However, I'm not married to him. If he's a Ranger for the next decade, so be it. But if the Florida Marlins are looking to unload Chris Volstad or the Giants, Matt Cain, then it'd be real hard not to pull the trigger.

Why? Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla will not be Rangers in two years. Harrison is not ace material (probably). We think Derek Holland and Neftali Feliz are sure things, but are we sure? Frankly, anyone from Holland down on the depth chart are unsure, unproven commodities.

Volstad, Cain, Peavy, Cliff Lee and others are proven. They can win in this league. They can head up your rotation.

As good as Harrison is and no matter what kinda fire or desire he has in his guts, it may never make him anymore than a quality lefty at the back end of a rotation with decent stuff, who can give up a lot of homers and walk batters at times.

There are other points here. For example, how bad do the Giants need hitting? How far do the Giants think they are from the wild card or the Dodgers?

What if he can send Marlon Byrd, David Murphy and Max Ramirez for Jonathan Sanchez? Maybe too high of a price, but good, recognizable names may be shipped to other teams for players we know little about. This is a good thing. It can also be painful and extremely risky.

As good as GM Jon Daniels has been in terms of drafting and free agent signings and stocking the system, in trading for proven commodities, he hasn't been very good.

I have faith. But still a little gun shy.

One thing I wouldn't do: Include Justin Smoak in any trade. Remember, Chris Davis is a Scott Boras guy. He's under control for now, but might not be in a couple of years.

MLB mock draft, part II

Jacob Turner

So many mock drafts, so little time.

Here's a link to the first edition.

By the way, Major League Baseball has a wonderful resource with profiles and video on just about every projected top 50 pick in the draft.

Here's some more mocks:

Sports News
14. James Paxton
Big, powerful lefty from Kentucky. Fastball hits 98 with a good slider. A third pitch and control seem to be real issues. Nothing that can't be figured out.

MLB Outsider
14. Zack Wheeler
Adam Morris over at Lone Star Ball actually made this pick. He argues that the Rangers are fine at the top end of their farm system to take another high school product. It's hard to argue against it. I guess if a high school kid is the best on the board at No. 14, you roll with it. However, it could also be noted that the bottom end of the farm system seems to be packed, too. Good pick though. Wheeler has a good fastball and curve. A lot to work with considering he's in high school.

Prospect Insider
14. Jacob Turner
A big (6-5) righty out of high school. Average fastball mixed with a good slider. "Up in the zone" tends to be peppered throughout his scouting report. Clearly, this can be fixed, but it's a scary thought should he ever pitch in Arlington.

Mocking the NBA draft

Jeff Teague hates not dunking

Another year, another NBA draft, another opportunity for the Dallas Mavericks to screw it up.

Aside from Dirk Nowitzki, Devin Harris and Josh Howard are the only decent draft picks of the last decade for the Mavs and one may be a nut (Howard), one's in Jersey (Harris) and one is Dirk. And Dirk is good. Much better than Robert "Tractor" Traylor anyway.

The Mavs roll into the 2009 draft with the No. 22 pick. And folks are already prognosticating who will go where.

The Bleacher Report
22. Tyler Hansbrough
I swear on everything that is holy and good in this world, if the Mavs wind up with Hansbrough, I will move to Los Angeles and become a Lakers fan. Do not try me. I'll do it.

NBA Draft
22. Jeff Teague
Love this pick. A fearless point guard who loves to dunk. Good stuff.

Dime
22. Patty Mills
I've got too many bad memories of Chris Antsey.

Fanhouse
22. Chase Budinger
The Mavs should never be allowed to draft a white guy for another 15 years. Especially Euros. Even if Bob Cousy or Bill Walton were reborn.

The Rangers even know how to lose in different ways

His aim was true

The Texas Rangers first loss of the season came in Detroit in a 15-2 thumping by the Tigers.


Last night, they were 1-hit by Dontrelle freakin' Willis in a 4-0 loss. See, they can lose with good and bad pitching.


Personally, I don't mind losses like these because the starting pitching was right there and Brandon McCarthy went seven innings (putting down, like, 12 straight) for the second straight start allowing the bullpen (except Kris Benson, but he doesn't count) another night of rest.


I thought McCarthy was pretty good. But also pretty hittable early before settling down a little. Not that it really mattered because the Tigers looked like Cy Young clones all night. Kept off balance, by the time the Rangers got to the bullpen it's like they didn't have the will to pull together any hits and once they drew Joel Zumaya with the Strikeout Kings (Salty, Chris Davis) at the bottom of the order up, it was church.


Hitting highlights: Mike Young's team-leading double and two more walks from Andruw Jones (.439 OBP).


I do hate the loss because considering who they face next (Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson), this was probably the most winnable game base on starting pitching. Of course, not like that's stopped them this season.

Movers and shakers all-star team

Sans serif Font

Every season in just about every minor league system in Major League Baseball there are guys that make a move.

Some hit better. Some pitch better. Nonetheless, every season there's a handful of guys that make that leap, that turn the corner and figure it out to deserve some attention and, maybe, promotion within their franchise's system.

The Rangers are no different. Part of what brought up the middle class of their No. 1 ranked farm system is the great 2008 seasons of a handful of guys.

Here's the Texas Rangers Minor League All-Star team of movers and shakers, so far.

Mauro Gomez -- 1B
I don't think I gave Gomez a lick of attention last year in Bakersfield. He had 93 strikeouts and only 14 walks. He hit .244. He was awful. What a difference a year makes. He's already almost collected as many doubles, homers, RBI and walks as all of last season in a third of the time. His average is up to .330 and his strikeouts are down, significantly. Arguably the hottest hitter in the Rangers system today.

Matthew Lawson -- 2B
Most chalked him up as a "light-hitting second baseman." Although his power numbers are up (due to some early home runs), his .303 average is something to talk about. Strikeouts and the inability to really get on base is an issue, but he's shown a little speed and if he can continue to collect hits, some deficiencies can worked out.

Jacob Kaase -- SS
He actually had a pretty nice 2008 between Clinton and Bakersfield. Although many areas of his hitting is down, his slugging is about 100 points better over 2008.

John Whittleman -- 3B
Not really, but I needed a third baseman or none of this would've worked.

Mike Bianucci -- OF
Bianucci had a pretty nice half season after being drafted last season. He's continued it in Hickory. Hits for power and average, has a little speed and fields his position well. Even had a cycle around the same time as Ian Kinsler.

Erik Morrison -- OF
Another 2008 draftee. He's hitting .390 in Hickory.

David Paisano -- OF
With Bianucci and Morrison, Paisano (part of the John Danks-Brandon McCarthy trade) makes up the best outfield threesome in the Rangers farm system. Finally hitting for average. Still very young.

Manny Pina -- C
Known as a good catcher so anything you got from his bat was gravy. Then, he starts hitting in 2009. Currently at .390 with .580 slugging.

Michael Kirkman -- SP
If you consider the pitching prospects on the lower levels of the Rangers farm system, Kirkman may not have come up. He had a poor 2008 between Spokane and Clinton. This year in Bakersfield, he's come into his own with control (43 K, 16 BB) and only one homer allowed in 41 innings. He's 3-1 with a 2.41 ERA in a hitter's league.

Martin Perez -- SP
He's 18 and has stellar command (36 K, 10 BB) and his absolutely killing righties (.169 BAA). Not a surprise because he's so highly touted, but a mover and shaker nonetheless.

Wilmer Font -- SP
Like Perez, not a surprise because he is such a young stud, but that shouldn't take away from the output. Remember, he had pitched in 17 pro games the last two seasons and only three in 2008. Control is an issue, but not a huge one. Murdering opponents with a 1.57 ERA.

Beau Vaughan -- RP
Had in the throwaway trade with Luis Mendoza. He's been great in Oklahoma City with a 2.57 ERA and no homers allowed in 21 innings. Probably going to see action in the bigs this season.

Zach Phillips -- RP
Did you know since 2005, Zach Phillips has 499 strikeouts compared to 199 walks in 513 innings? Yowza. A great 2007 turned into a not-so-great 2006. He moved to the bullpen this season and his showing ability to get outs again: 22 strikeouts, four walks in 22 innings.

Going all wishy-washy on Ron Washington

About 20 days ago, I issued this line, late one Friday night:

"That son-of-a-bitch (Ron) Washington needs to get fired, quick."

Since I wrote that fateful comment, the Rangers are 13-2, including streaks of five and seven (current) and sweeps of Seattle (twice) and California.

I do not back off my comment, however. At the moment, I wasn't alone and I wasn't totally unjustified.

The reason I wanted Washington fired was because the Rangers were locked in a close game versus the Chicago White Sox. Late innings, bases loaded and Washington pulls starter Scott Feldman (a righty, who had battled all night and pitched very well and was far under any kinda pitch count issues) and puts in rookie Derek Holland (a lefty, who hadn't exactly been used in high pressure situations) to face lefty, probably Hall of Famer Jim Thome.

The result: A game-clinching run-scoring double. Rangers lose a close one.

There are three general areas that I judge Washington (and many coaches) on and it's these three areas I'd like to discuss.

Ability To Get A Team To Play Their Guts Out
Never have I questioned Washington's likability and ability to get his guys to play hard game after game. He's a player's manager, but he doesn't let the inmates run the asylum. Sure, he caters to the players' egos and personalities. In a column from Jean-Jacques Taylor, he talks about a recent loss and how the guys were in the room with no music just hangdog about losing a game they could've won. Washington gives a pep talk and tells them to turn the music back on. Suddenly, the winning begins again.

Cut to last season: Late innings, C.J. Wilson blows another save and Washington goes to the mound to pull him. Wilson, with typical attitude, tosses the ball to Washington to proceeds to walk off the mound. Washington catches Wilson by the arm, pulls him back and tells him to show some respect and hand the ball to him. He does. You can't tell me that every dude on that roster saw that and didn't gain a ton of respect for Washington. Even Wilson, in hindsight, had to know that he needs to act a certain way.

The Texas Rangers, for whatever reason, play their balls off for Washington. Many nights it shows. Put together quality play and those nights turn into wins. Like this year.

Inability To Manage A Game
Say what you want about Washington, but the guy can't manage a game very well. Mostly, he overmanages. Plays the match-ups and executes typical coach-stuff far too much. Oftentimes, you just have to roll with what you got and play with your gut. It's how good managers/coaches are made. It's how a lot of guys are made. Play it safe and you never learn or grow. Take some changes, follow your gut and go against the grain and if it works out, you're a genius.

Case in point: The example above regarding Thome, Feldman and Holland. OK, you want to pull Feldman (at this point, Washington was coaching for his job) and put in a lefty reliever. Fine. But why Holland? When you've preached that you don't want to overexpose him and you didn't pitch him until a week into his call up. It's hypocritical. Also, Thome can't hit many lefties. He especially can't hit Eddie Guardado. He's 1-4 against Wilson. Why not those guys? Is it about suddenly exposing Holland or winning the game?

However, I consider the top point and this point evened out. Sure he makes boneheaded, generic moves, but he also gets guys to play hard. The third reason is the biggest reason why I wanted Washington fired.

Inability To Walk The Talk
When Washington was hired, Rangers fans were sold on three things:

• Rangers pitchers would pitch to contact.
• Rangers fielders would field with precision and fundamentally sound acumen.
• Rangers hitters would manufacture runs as much as they would pound home runs.

For two seasons, none of those came to fruition. For one, Washington probably should keep his nose out of pitching. Two, the defense got worse under Washington. Three, the Rangers didn't "manufacture" runs. It's doubles and home runs with this team.

Until this year.

OK, we know what the pitching staff is doing. Pitching to contact. Getting outs. Carrying this team.

Offensively, this is a slightly different team. Yes, they still lead the world in home runs, but this team is turning into what Washington envisioned. They're fifth in stolen bases (29) and ninth in sacrifice flies (13, but they should have more). They're sacrificing. With Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus, they have speed. They move runners. Suddenly, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Elvis Andrus have become the hit-and-run candidates (beautifully executed over the weekend ... poorly botched against Seattle last week). Yes, they'll wait for the home run, but they'll settle for five small innings.

Defensively, the different is night and day. The Rangers have the 22nd least errors in the league despite having the 11th most total chances.

Ian Kinsler is 35 percent better than last season. Chris Davis is 75 percent better than Frank Catalanotto or Hank Blalock from last year. Mike Young has upgraded third base, Elvis Andrus shortstop and Jarrod Saltalamacchia is about 55 percent better this year over last.

Essentially, on personnel alone, the Rangers have upgraded three positions and had two positions (Kins, Salty) get better. The outfield is pretty solid, as it was last season.

What frustrated me about Washington is that he had two seasons to work his magic in these areas and we didn't see improvement, we saw regression. It was getting worse and you combine that with the poor in-game management and it's enough to get even the most stoic of fans (which I'm not) to cry for someone's head.

That night it was Washington. I apologize. I meant it, but I realize that maybe all a guy needs is a little time.

The Texas Rangers, by the numbers

Elvis is in the building

In my Texas Rangers post to start the day, I stated that there were a ton of stats and numbesr that intrigued the bejesus out of me.

I am here to share:

49.5
Percent chance that the Rangers will win their division, according to Accuscore.

17
Quality starts from the Rangers. Tied for 13th in the league. More than the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Philadelphia Phillies and Oakland A's.

14-6
Home record.

20
Strikeout difference between the team leader (Chris Davis, 54) and the dude in second (Nelson Cruz, 34).

230.2
Innings pitched by Texas starters. Third most in league.

100.2
Innings pitched by Texas relievers. Second least in league.

5.33
Elvis Andrus' Ranger Factor, tops among MLB shortstops.

10-2
Record against AL West opponents including three sweeps.

17
Wins from Texas starters. Third most in league.

4.25
The starters' ERA, 13th in the league.

4
Major statistical categories that Ian Kinsler leads the team in, including RBI, homers, runs and stolen bases. If the season ended today, he'd be the MVP.

3
Errors by Ian Kinsler.

19
Errors by the Rangers. Ninth in the league.

14
Marlon Byrd's number of doubles, co-leading the team with Mike Young.

What I would do if I were Donnie Nelson

A direct answer to the question posed in the headline of this post would be: Fire myself.

Seriously, has there been a member of high management in any Dallas-Fort Worth professional sports that has skated more than Donnie Nelson.

It's not that he keeps his job year after year despite clearly guiding his franchise into murkier and murkier waters, but that he takes zero criticism. It's like he doesn't even exist. Hell, maybe he was fired or quit four years ago and I never saw the story and Mark Cuban's been acting general manager.

This team is cap strapped, it has no draft picks or young talent and four or five awful contracts that they can probably do nothing with.

If you or I had screwed up that bad at our job, we'd be fired.

With that said, Nelson probably isn't going to be fired, so that brings the other interpretation of the question: What would I do if I were Donnie Nelson?

Definitely Re-Sign Brandon Bass, Ryan Hollins and James Singleton
Devean George is useless even if he's healthy. Of course, if he were healthy he could eat minutes. Instead, he's constantly hurt. Gerald Green is a waste of talent. Jason Kidd ... we'll get to that. That leaves Singleton, Hollins and Bass (sounds like a great law firm name ... better than Terry, Nowitzki and Barea) as your free agents (both restricted and unrestricted). Bass is incredibly useful (but he can't start) and Singleton is a quality bench guy who can defend and hit a shot every blue moon. Plus, he'll probably be cheap and he's still relatively young. Hollins is a project, but a project worth taking on (see: athletic African American tall guy with college experience who would improve by at least 25 percent if he were 25 pounds heavier).

Sell High, Where You Can
The Mavericks don't have draft picks so the only way to get younger and better is to either trade for draft picks or trade your proven commodities for younger guys who need a change of scenery or a mere opportunity.

Who the Mavs can sell high:

• Josh Howard -- Does not have an insane contract (about $11 million due in 2009-10) and his 2010-11 year is a team option. Still young, still good and showed that he can tough out an injury. A great comeback year for a guy that needed one.
• J.J. Barea -- Like Howard, is young and cheap ($1.6 million due) plus he has a team option for 2009-10 (if you don't want to pick up the $1.8 million). However, Barea may have hit his ceiling. He could improve in small increments just by being smarter. And his career is limited by his speed. Once he starts slowing down, so will his effectiveness. The thing is, no team will win a championship with Barea as their back-up point guard. Barea is not the future of this team and if you can get a good haul, why not try? However, I don't see many teams biting.
• Jason Terry -- He's on the payroll 'til 2012 at about $10 million per. A great bench guy, but a marginal starter making starter money. After his disappearance act in the Denver series, he's become expendable based on the mere fact that the Mavs need to probably start going in a different direction. I do not think, however, that they can get a team to take on Terry's contract.

Just Sell, Where You Can
There's selling high and then there's just selling. Unfortunately, the Mavs have a bunch of guys that are either awful, useless or making too much money. Typically, it's a mix of all three.

• Jerry Stackhouse -- A nice $7.2-million expiring contract. The Mavs' No. 1 trade chip.
• Erick Dampier -- His value as a trade piece peaks next season when he's in the final year of his 800 million year, $420 million contract. That's how long it's felt since Dampier signed that deal. I like Damp. I really do, but this team needs a new start. In the words of The Joker, "This town needs an enema!" Well, so does this team. And Damp may be the biggest, most expensive turd out there.

Tie Up Dirk
Nowitzki could become a free agent after he 2009-10 campaign with a $21 million player option. I don't think he wants to leave and even said as much and, frankly, I don't want him to leave. I think he's a stand-up guy that when the time comes will accept a secondary role. Here's the point: You build around guys like Nowitzki. You can't necessarily build around guys like Kobe Bryant or Baron Davis. You just try to find guys that can execute these ancillary parts of the game and hope you win. With Nowitzki, all you need is some athletes and I think you can win.

Do Not Re-Sign Jason Kidd ... Unless You Have To
Below are a number of players I would target, including a handful of point guards. If all else fails, you give Kidd a nice 2-year contract. I was totally against the Devin Harris trade, but what's done is done. Can't go back in time. But you can not take away Kidd's impact on the 2009 campaign. He did a lot in making this team competitive. Is he ideal? No. Is he the best they can do? Probably.

Don't Tie Up New Money
I think the summer of 2010 is going to be way overrated. I don't foresee any big name actually changing teams that we already didn't expect. However, I don't think the Mavs should take any chances. As it stands, about $28.6 million is coming off the books this summer. Another $22.9 million could next summer (depending on Howard and Barea's options). That's about $50 million in free, unused money. Cash prepared to go out and make a splash.

Players I Would Hunt

• Zaza Pachulia -- Plays with 45 percent more energy and guts than Damp. Defense isn't there and may never be. Not my first choice, but could be an affordable option
• Ray Felton -- Dependable scoring, OK defense, a billion times more athletic than Jason Kidd. Gets you young in a hurry.
• Jarrett Jack -- Not a huge assist guy (and probably has too many turnovers) but he averaged 13 a game. He's restricted. Could be relatively affordable.
• Trevor Ariza -- Far too busy making himself a lot of money this playoff season. Probably out of the price range and probably too much of a Brandon Bass-type to matter.
• Tyson Chandler -- Rumors are that New Orleans are dumping salaries. Mavs could pull in Chandler for the final two years of his contract.
• Chris Wilcox -- Kinda displaying the same animals, much like what they have with Bass. Wilcox is a little taller and could come cheap through free agency. Nearly the same age as Chandler. It's worth noting that none of these guys give you the low-post presence that most want, but they probably give you 35-65 percent more effort.
• Jerryd Bayless and Travis Outlaw -- Don't know if Portland is a place that either can get enough minutes. They both might suck. But they get you young and athletic very quickly and the Mavs might have a player or two that could push the Blazers where they need to go (Howard? Terry?).