Monday Newsletter time: A needed off day for Texas Rangers will give club officials time to talk
Trade talks are ongoing, as are talks with unsigned draftees, but the on-field product should get some attention Monday.
No Texas Rangers team has ever needed a day off at home more than these Texas Rangers, losers of 12 straight and in a terrifying offensive slump.
Days off at this time of year, with the trade deadline looming, are similar to days off during spring training. Club officials will have time to talk.
They can talk about how to end to losing streak, in addition to the trades they are discussing and the talks to sign first-round pick Jack Leiter.
The trade deadline is Friday. The deadline to sign draftees is Sunday. It’s past time to try to fix the on-field product, which was never designed to be good but wasn’t thought to be this bad.
Some moves have been made. Curtis Terry is up. Nick Solak, maybe surprisingly, was sent down. Mike Foltynewicz isn’t out of the rotation, but he’s not going to pitch until the weekend.
By then, Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy and Joey Gallo could be gone. It seems less likely that Gallo will be traded, not with extension talks taking place and with manager Chris Woodward calling Gallo a player to build around.
Others might be dealt, too. Others might be moved off the roster if they are standing in the way of progress.
It’s a big off day at the start of a big week, with another off day Thursday ahead of a big day in baseball.
Things should get interesting.
ICYMI …
People get busy. Totally understand. That’s why ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) has become a bi-weekly feature of the newsletter. Take a look at these links. They alone are worth a monthly ($5.99) or annual ($60) subscription.
Who will be called up from the minors this season?
Curtis Terry, a story to cheer.
Mike Foltynewicz shouldn’t start for Rangers again.
The Bobby Valentine Era. Part I and Part II.
USA Basketball woes
The United States should not lose to France in basketball. The U.S. shouldn’t lose to anyone in basketball.
Can I get an amen?
But that’s what happened Sunday in Tokyo, as the U.S. men were handed their first loss in the Olympics since 2004, 83-76. The expectation is the U.S. will advance to the medal round, but there are no guarantees the Gregg Popovich-led team will medal.
International basketball has improved greatly in the past 25 years. No doubt. The U.S. isn’t loaded with the best American players. No doubt. And if the players on the team don’t want to be there, get guys who do.
USA Basketball shouldn’t be playing second or third or fourth fiddle to anyone.
Doggy video!
Give this pup an A for effort. And, for the love of God, help him out! Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
