quote:
I'm not sure anyone has ever said he was solely responsible for the collapses.
That doens't mean a big chunk of his responsibility as manager is to keep that from happening.
This is a quote from a few posts ago. To me, that says you think he's the main problem. Not the only problem....but the main problem.
Now you've clarified that the catastrophic and history making levels of injuries are the main problem.
I agree.
Is Wash an issue THIS year? IMO no because they team is so ****ing bad, he doesn't have a chance to make any strategic decisions that would actually win or lose a game. They're giving up 6-10 runs a game and scoring 2 or 3. Wash doesn't have a chance to screw it up.
Besides the injuries this year are two other key issues IMO. The guys replacing those who are injured(because they're not as good as the guys they've replaced and not good overall) and Elvis. The talent level is bad and they are one of the worst teams. Folks saying "they should be better" would have a hard time substantiating that when comparing rosters against the other teams in the league. The Rangers, in fact, have one of if not THE worst active roster in baseball right now.
As for Elvis, he has been AWFUL. Is that on Wash? I guess you have to concede that it could be. Elvis is miscast in the #2 hole but there isn't a better option and has had focus lapses and questionable off season dilligence. If Wash needs to be doing more to get Elvis to focus then that is going underreported from what i've seen. What I see more of is that Elvis is pressing and the contract(which hasn't even started yet) has his head a little dazed. He's 25 so while not a kid, there's still maturing to do.
As for previous years, Wash was the manager when they went to b2b World Series. Was he a significant reason they lost to SF? Or STL? I don't think so but we've debated that already.
What Wash does that is maddenning to all is the anti-analytic moves. He puts on too many bunts. Too many IBB's. Doesn't use the pen as efficiently as he could
So what IS his job?
First and foremost his job is to make sure the room, or the team dynamic if you will, is condusive to success on the field. He has to manage ego's and 25 different personalities speaking several different languages. His other primary role, IMO, is to make sure the EFFORT is there each and every game with zero exceptions. Zero. Does this team have an effort issue?
We can debate that if you want but I don't think they do. I think you put Elvis in his own box and then analyze the team for what it is; largely devoid of talent.
Wash's last primary role is to be the final say on strategic in game decisions. He isn't the only voice, and Bogar was hired specifially for this, because EVERYONE knows he is not the strongest chess player. Has that component lost them games? Or caused the 12 and 13 collapse?
Again, we can debate that if you want but I don't think so.
Anyway, to recap, I think the manager has 3 primary roles; manage the room, get max effort, and be the final say on strategic in game decisions. Wash's performance in these areas, IMO, is not why they might lose 100 games. At least not as of the AS break. If they continue to lose and the room sours, effort lags, and he somehows makes enough mistakes in a lost seasonf or people to actually notice, then im sure he'll be fire and it will be justified.
