You know, often we accuse the Texas Rangers of, well, not being a very bright organization. What they've done in the past to accent that is continue to do the same thing over and over and over again to try and convince everyone that they can win, only to be out of things by early August. The formula that the neighbors to the North (and I use the term neighbor loosely) have hung their cap on was this: Offense (and plenty of it).
Funny how some local nine fans and also media have urged the Astros to employ the same formula, but I digress.
One cannot truly fault an American League team from falling into the trap of believing that all it takes is a great DH and a bunch of mashers to win in that league. In fact, I would probably be inclined to agree with them. I would also be wrong just like they are. Baseball is still baseball and that means that the key to being a consistent winner is this: Pitching and Defense and just enough Offense. I know, how then would one explain Derek Jeter? Well, lately Mr. Jeter has not sniffed the World Series, much less going deep into a playoff series. Funny how the lack of solid pitching has made this so. While the Yankees went out and tried to employ a bunch of mashers (Matsui, Giambi, A-Rod) to offset the lack of pitching and certainly the less than spectacular defense, the appearances in the October classic have come to a halt. You love watching a young team like the Rays take it to the Yankees last year by using, of all things, Pitching, Defense and just enough Offense. Wonders of wonders.
So now I take a long hard look at the Texas Rangers and lo and behold they've moved the one-time immovable statue that is Michael Young out of shortstop and placed a phenom named Elvis Andrus in his stead. Andrus came over in the Teixiera deal with the Braves several years ago and now as a 20 year old, this kid is showing he's ready for the show. Good thing the Rangers weren't inclined to be so stupid as to look at Young and say to themselves "no thanks" on that move. So Young's feeling were hurt when he caught wind of the thinking by the Rangers braintrust (led by the old man Nolan Ryan no less... go figure, he's thinking Pitching and Defense... go figure). And the Rangers reaction was "so what?". Good for them. Finally they have someone who is thinking baseball and not just fantacrap masher ball up in Arlington and look where they are now.
So what impressed me the most about the Rangers last night? Was it the hitting? No, not really. Was it the pitching? A little but not really all that much. Was it the defense up the middle? Oh yes, now we're talking! Andrus and Kinsler are two very good, nay great up the middle defenders and will be for many years to come. Young, good hitters, yes... but defensively is where they impress the most, especially Andrus. The double play they turned on the Astros was simply amazing. And then the put out of Matsui by Andrus late in the game was a game changer.
*sigh*
I know I'm beating a dead horse around here, so forgive me for this one moment of melancholy if you will. I miss defense up the middle on the Astros. Okay, mostly I miss seeing great shortstop work. I like Tejada, really I do and his defense is okay. Game changer? No, not really. See the Ranger's pitchers must feel so comfortable knowing that they have a SS like Andrus behind them. It does effect how a pitcher does his work. I know you'll say that a pitcher has to get people out regardless but I am of the opinion that the defense behind a pitcher plays a good role in performance of said pitcher. I don't mind less than spectacular defense in the corners, even though in RF I would like to see a stronger arm (but I digress). It is up the middle that makes for a consistent winner. Notice I said "consistent", something that the Houston Astros are not. They are not consistent, some may argue, because they have health issues in key areas (closer, middle relief, set up man, Berkman for a while). Once those areas are solidified they'll be more consistent. Okay, that may be true, but you want true consistency... I say you make an effort to walk away from those who clamor for more offense from a shortstop and go and make a commitment to a true range enabled, gun for an arm, awesome display of a shortsop and along with Bourn in center and Matsui at second, watch how well this team will change. Watch how well all pitchers will feel and perform.
Okay, I'm off my soapbox for now... but as the season progresses, I just may be inclined to revisit this. Especially if the Astros keep losing ground and do a fire sale this trading deadline. If they trade a over .300 hitting Miggy and insert a Manzella into the shortstop position, it may be time to stand up and pay attention to what may happen. Just saying, because hitting #6, Miggy isn't really part of the offense that much (reality check, Blum, Keppinger or Pudge could handle the six spot). If Pence is for real (and I see signs that he is) and so is Born, it could be time to make a bold move.
