So how long until general manager Jon Daniels offers Adrian Beltre the manager's chair for next year? And do player-managers count against the 25- and 40-man rosters?
-- Bill F., Arlington
Beltre has expressed zero interest in managing. Besides, not sure how this bizarre fondness for charismatic ex-players with zero experience as a managerial candidate ever got started. There are too many ex-managers out there just alone who have won or been to the World Series. That someone is a candidate just because they sound good on television seems insulting to interim manager Don Wakamatsu, first-base coach Steve Buechele, third-base coach Tony Beasley and others with a long resume of invaluable experience that didn't involve sitting in front of a camera. Jeff Banister and Ron Washington both had that kind of experience, and both were excellent hires. Anybody who says otherwise is delving into revisionist history.
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It's just interesting the number of former Rangers who are competing in the postseason this year. Why do Rangers go to other clubs and do better? Who is responsible for the failure to develop these players? Is it the manager or is it the general manager? Or both?
-- Jimmy G., Oklahoma City
It's always the same story when the Rangers are in contention. There is an abnormal frenzy for the club to make deals and reinforce the drive to postseason. When the trades get done, there is great rejoicing and self-congratulations. It is only much later that the collateral damage is assessed. But when opposing clubs acquire players from the Rangers, they usually have a good idea of what they are getting.
What current Minor League pitchers have a chance to make the 2019 team.
-- Larry F. Mansfield, Texas
Yohander Mendez, Ariel Jurado and Adrian Sampson are all candidates for the rotation. But all three need experience and have much to learn. They are going to take their lumps, so the big question is will the required patience be there to see them through it? Same way with young relievers like Connor Sadzeck, Jeffrey Springs, Zac Curtis, C.D. Pelham, Nick Gardewine and others who had their rough moments this season. Pedro Strop had a 7.24 ERA and a 1.90 WHIP with the Rangers in 2009-11 before being given away to the Orioles. He has a 2.61 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over the past five years with the Cubs. That drops to 2.12 and 0.89 in the postseason.
I support Daniels and all his roster moves, but when will the Rangers shake the Chan Ho Park deal and sign a big-time starter? The Achilles' heel of this club has always been starting pitching. Sign Patrick Corbin and trade for another starter, please.
-- Nick V., Santa Clara, Calif.
Corbin would be a terrific signing for the Rangers. That would give them a rotation of Corbin and Mike Minor. Since Texas is in a drought, the necessary ensuing prayer for three days of rain is probably asking too much. The Rangers are in the same situation as last offseason -- actually it's worse -- in that they need to fill four spots in the rotation, not just one. When you have to buy in bulk, you need to purchase a lot of ground hamburger rather than spend a ton of money on one T-bone steak.
What is Mike Matuella's status? I noticed he wasn't appearing in any games for most of the second half of the season, but I don't remember hearing anything about an injury.
-- Brad M. Abilene, Texas
He had some elbow and shoulder pain, so the Rangers shut him down after July 7. The 24-year-old is currently healthy and pitching in instructional league. Matuella still has physical talent, and what is interesting is he has to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft. That will be an interesting decision for the Rangers, and a tantalizing possibility for nine other teams that lost at least 89 games this year and are exploring all avenues to speed up their rebuild.
Do we project Joey Gallo to improve on hitting? Do coaches and scouts think he can learn to drive the ball the other way and cut down the strikeouts? I like the power, but he is all or nothing.
-- Craig M. Mansfield, Texas
Before anybody gives up on Gallo, it would seem smart to anchor him at one position rather than moving him all over the field. That might do wonders for his offensive output.