Not really torn anymore re

Michael Young being traded.  That is because of stuff like this, or stuff like this.  Michael Young, the "Face of the franchise" is a baseball player.  He is a pretty good player, not as good as he used to be and mos def not a great defensive player.  He is payed $16 million a year to play for the Texas Rangers.  He has 3 years left on his current guaranteed contract with the ballclub.  "Face" does not wanta be a DH.  "Face" wants to play in the field.  "Face" is no longer an asset to the club with his glove.  All that saw his ole moves in game one of the past World Serious can attest to that statement.  "Face" has whined every single time he has been moved around the infield but because he always eventually shut up and just played, the DFW and national media have lauded "Face" as a trouper, a real stand-up, unselfish guy.  I am not buying that anymore.  Actually, I never really drank that kool-aid to begin with but it was positive press for my joke of a franchise so I just went with it, reluctantly.  Another thing "Face" liked to whine about was how the Rangers never won anything, how the Front Office did not seem even invested in producing a winning ballclub.  Guess the frick what? After a v rocky start (incl this ridiculous long term contract for "Face"), Ranger GM, Jon Daniels, went on an amazing Bob le Flambeur winning streak.  He acquired current AL MVP, Josh Hamilton, in a trade.  He hoodwinked the Atlanta Braves, getting Elvis Andrus; current Rookie of the Year, Neftali Feliz; swingman, Matt Harrison; and a couple of players still in the pipeline, all for Mark Teixiera, who plays for the Damn Yankees now.  He unloaded Gagne for Dave Murphy.  CJ Wilson moved from set-up man to a good #2 or #3 starter and he rescued Colby Lewis from Japan, v cheaply, I might add.  Colby Lewis has the only Ranger World Serious victory in its' wretched history.  To top it all, last year Daniels hoodwinked the Damn Yankees and got Cliff Lee for the stretch-run and playoffs.  You know the rest.  The Rangers won their first pennant and lost to the SF Giants in the World Serious.

So, now $16 million per annum and a winning ballclub are not enough for "Face."  For crying out loud, he is going to get his 600 PAs (plate appearances).  Kinsler, Cruz, and Hamilton are seriously injury prone and our first base option is a rook, who the jury is still out on.  (Not me, though, I think Mitch Moreland is gonna be a stud.)  "Face" can spell Beltre at third, Andrus at short, and Kinsler at second.  Plus there was talk he would learn first.  He could spell Moreland if he washes out.  If "Face" just apologizes and takes one for the team (whilst earning sixteen million dollars playing a game) the Rangers would have one of the deepest and best lineups in the Majors.

And "Face" is essentially holding the team hostage.  Sometime in late May or early June of this year "Face" becomes 10 and 5.  10 and 5 is a Union incentive meaning a Major League ballplayer has played ten years in the Show, five with one ballclub.  10 and 5 means "Face" cannot be traded to any team, for anything unless "Face" agrees to it.

(Do not get me wrong:  owners are swine.  They always have been and they always will be.  Watch the totally brill Eight Men Out, dir by big Union man (Matewan!), John Sayles to get the flavor of how horribly Major League ballplayers were treated back then.  If you were not a star it was basically indentured servitude, the club could bury you in the minors indefinitely or trade you to whomever for whatever the club desired.  If you were not a star your salary sucked and if you did not agree to terms with the club [and most contracts back then were renegotiated every single season] then you did not PLAY, i.e. WORK.  Back to the zinc mines for you, loser.  I ALWAYS take the Union's side in these labor disputes.  I do not care HOW much these players make today.  They are just signing contracts that evil owners put in front of them!)


No team in baseball, as much as they would like to have "Face" on their team (and there are teams that would like to own "Face") wants to pay the rest of his contract.  The Rangers are over a barrel in more ways than one.

Michael, please.  Say you are sorry.  We will get a TORP at the deadline and go to the playoffs again.  And who knows what happens then? You are paid (in baseball terms) twice what you are worth.  In real-life terms I cannot even do the math on how overpaid you are.

Let's win the whole deal, dude.  Say you are sorry.

************

This "Face" thing ran oot of control (and no one is gonna read this post).  Tomorrow:  Clos Manou, Sexy Beast, Winter's Bone.  I swear.

Love you all, ....

"Face" gets ready to rok the Royals.

P.S. Puh-leeze, give me Joe Blanton for "Face."