Mr. Rosenthal... You're Wrong

Ken Rosenthal is wrong.
Can that be the extent of this blog post? No? Okay, I’ll explain further.

Michael Young still “fits” with the current Texas Rangers lineup. Ken posted an article on FoxSports at about 6:00 this evening Texas time. In the article he explained that a series of dots can be connected that spell the end of Face’s time in Arlington. Of these “dots” include:

- The trade for Mike Napoli: “Napoli fits at two positions at which the Rangers intend to play Young — first base and DH.”
True that each of those positions is where Young was to see time, but let’s be realistic here, who is Napoli going to take those at-bats from? Not MY. He gets those at-bats from Moreland against tough lefties (Gio Gonzalez, Sabathia, Jon Lester, ect) and probably from David Murphy or Craig Gentry, who were the in-house candidates to pick up the DH spot off the bench when Young was in the field. Mr. Rosenthal… you’re wrong.

- Young can veto any trade come May: “In May, Young will become more difficult to trade, attaining the right to veto any deal as a player with 10 years of major-league service, five with the same team.”

Yes, Michael Young gains 10-5 rights in May, but why is that going to make it more difficult to trade him? Mr. Rosenthal: “Young will never say it, but he cannot be happy with the recent turn of events, not after accepting the move to DH and saying he would do whatever is best for the club.” But Ken, if Michael is so unhappy with being in Texas, wouldn’t he jump at the chance to go to any club that would allow him to play every day? It’s not like he will go to a team like Kansas City or Pittsburg; those teams have no need to pick up an aging fielder with a monster contract; it isn’t there current game plan. The guy should be ecstatic that his team is getting better, that’s why he signed that extension. Faith in the Franchise. Mr. Rosenthal… you’re wrong.

Further in the article, Ken mentions trading Young to Colorado for Jose Lopez. What exactly will that accomplish? Sure the Rangers save a little money (not every team can be run by the Rally Monkies in Anaheim or Los Angeles, or where ever the hell the Angels are playing these days) but in order to get Andres Blaco Sr? It makes no sense to trade Young for another utility guy when Blanco is a perfect in-house candidate. (If I can manage to see any downside, it’s the even further reduced playing time for Blanco; he’s been a savior at times, and every winning club needs a guy like him on the bench)

Mr. Rosenthal begs the question: “If the Rangers are so intent on keeping Young, why did they pursue one free-agent DH after another — Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero — and then trade for Napoli?” Well Kenny Boy, the Rangers were never chasing a full time DH once they signed Beltre (and after the signing of Beltre, wrote of Vlad all together due his desire to play every day). JD and Co. were looking for a veteran guy off the bench that could pinch hit and be more feared for his history than present performance level and occasionally DH if Young happened to be playing the field. The Rangers never desired to add another guy who wanted, expected, or demanded 500+ at bats. Vlad wanted too many at bats, he was out. Thome wasn’t an ideal fit since he hit left handed (creating a difficult platoon situation, putting another lefty on the bench). Manny, well Manny fit the criteria of being a feared right handed hitter than could be talked into not playing every day, but his pride would have been an issue (as I’m sure he feels he could and should play every day), he can’t hardly play the field (making him a one and done pinch hitter), and he has a long history of being a douche-lord (and we already have one of those, ask @_missyyy).

This makes this Mike Napoli acquisition perfect, and I’ve been school girl giddy since I found out about it (never mind that I’ve wanted him here the past three years). First off, we gave FX2 and some cash to get one of the Angels best hitters over the past few years. JD and Co have put us in a great position of bullpen depth. We still have Feliz, O’Day, Ogando, Oliver, and Rhoades in the back end of the rotation (that’s pretty dang good). Add in Lowe and any number of guys who don’t make the rotation: Feldman, Scheppers, Kirkman, Harrison, Holland, and it is still not bad at all; we have plenty of options there. Second, Napoli meets all the criteria the Rangers need. Mike has never been an everyday player under Mike Scioscia, for some reason Scioscia really hates him, choosing Mathis over him to be the #1 catcher. He bats right handed and crushes lefties (a career .931 OPS against them); he can play first base (where he got the bulk of his 2010 ABs after Morales decided he wanted to get a Met’s type injury), and he can even catch if need be. I don’t think I need to remind everybody how quickly catching depth can disappear. If regulars stay healthy (I’m looking at you Ian and Nelly) then there is no reason to expect Napoli to get 500 ABs. That’s a big “IF” though. The versatility of this team is just amazing and definitely something to be excited over; remember Mitch can play right field too?
Both Napoli and Young fit perfectly with this team. The versatility alone should keep guys fresh, healthy, and engaged all season long. There is no reason to question trading Young or Kinsler just because Napoli is here. Young will get his at bats, don’t you worry about that Joe Rangerfan or Mr. Rosenthal. I’m excited about this signing and so should you be. Bravo JD and Co.

"I trust my teammates. I trust myself." -Michael Young

P.S. Mr. Greenburg, how is that extension coming for JD? Can you be sure to lock up Thad Levine with him? That’d be great.