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The New Texas Rangers

© Bryan Walker

The New Rangers.
Who has made more questionable moves and gambles this winter than GM John Hart of the Rangers? In an attempt to make the Rangers competitive again this season, Hart has signed or traded for several players who have a troubled history. Hart has identified these guys correctly as talented, but they carry baggage.
• John Rocker: Rocker's attitude forced Atlanta to trade him to the Indians, where he struggled and remained alienated from teammates.
• Carl Everett: He's a capable hitter, but his temper and outbursts are well-documented. His common denominator with Rocker is a fierce competitive nature.
• Juan Gonzalez: With a reputation for being sullen and aloof, Gonzalez is one of the best hitters in the game. After not being elected to the All-Star Game by the fans a few years ago, Gonzalez told reporters that he wouldn't play even if picked as a bench player.
• Hideki Irabu: Labeled by Steinbrenner as a "fat toad", Irabu has battled weight problems since coming to the U.S. His issues have been chain smoking and drinking (supposedly even showing up to pitch while drunk.)
• Dan Miceli: Once a top reliever, Miceli has struggled lately and is known for inventing personal stories.

Other questionable signing by Hart include catcher Pat Borders, Ismael Valdes, and Ed Sprague. Borders and Sprague were once good players, but are no longer worth a spot on a Triple-A team. Valdes has talent but also a history of minor injuries.

Hart gets respect for his rebuilding of the Indians, but now seems to only prepare for one season at a time with little thought toward the next season. He traded away the Indians farm system to win a World Series in Cleveland, but was never able to do so. The idea of spending big money in Texas was attractive to Hart, and he has definitely spent money.

Economic Issues
I was listening to a local baseball trainer on the radio who talked about the financial problems in baseball and how a change is needed to restore competitive balance. Too many people have bought the lines of Major League Baseball on how baseball has a problem that needs to be fixed.

My contention remains that baseball's revenue disparity is not due to market sizes but to management issues. To be sure, some clubs have an advantage of being located in a larger market, but market size is a minor factor compared to the way a club is managed. Good management increases club revenues; bad management does little to increase revenue.

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