About Face
Problem is, nobody wants him, or should I say, nobody wants the remaining 3 years/$48 million dollar contract that’s attached to his aging 34 year old body and sub-zero UZR.
So two camps have formed here in Rangerdom, there’s the Casual Fan/Pandering Local Sports Columnist Camp who think Face has been jerked around and is owed something by the Rangers because of his tenure and his “sticking with them through the bad years” — then there’s the rest of us.
The Rest of Us Camp acknowledges that Face has been a good player and team leader for the Rangers the last ten years. We also acknowledge that he’s “stuck with the team” because in 2007 he signed an lucrative 5 year/80 mil contract extension. We then have the nerve to acknowledge the aforementioned sub zero UZR (-4.7 or -5.4, I forget), which means he’s a huge defensive liability (hence, the signing of Beltre). THEN we acknowledge the fact that… oh, I think you get the picture (this is beginning to sound like a religion vs. science argument).
Face claims he’s been jerked around by the Rangers because they’ve repeatedly asked him to change positions over the years. First, they asked him to move from 2B to shortstop in order to accommodate Alfonso Soriano after the A-Rod trade. Then SS to 3B to accommodate the up and coming Elvis Andrus. Now, they’ve asked him to move to DH/utility infielder to accommodate Adrian Beltre. I guess I can see his point, because no team has ever asked someone to change positions.
Oh, wait, yes they have.
Face, I like you, but shaadapp and play baseball. Your gold glove days are behind you, dude, accept it.
Baseball, Apple Pie and Lobster 
I understand why Young has his nose bent out of shape over the whole thing but I also understand why the Rangers made the moves they made. It’s all business, it’s for the good of the team as a whole and no disrespect was intended. But I think it’s like any other job situation – no one wants to be passed over for promotion or removed from key projects even if deep down they know they weren’t the best person for the job. Realities we don’t want to accept can bring out the petty in the best of us.
Kristen
http://blithescribe.mlblogs.com/
Some how some players take a lot of money and then realize they are not worth it so will do anything, hence the reason he has accepted his position changes over the years, but as you say he’s no longer worth it, so he really has to suck it up, after all the Rangers can’t eat his salary like they did with some other famous pay checks..
-peter
Phillies Outside
Very good points you make here about Young. I know the Marlins were ‘reportedly’ interested in trading for him, but as you pointed out, his defense skills leave a lot to be desired at this time in his career, and they are trying to take a step away from the big stick, bad glove mentality.
I’ve always admired Young, seems like (on the outside anyway) and old-school, hard-working player. Hopefully he puts any ill-will sentiments behind him once the season starts.
http://fishstix.mlblogs.com/
Kristen – Oh I totally get where Face is coming from. He has a lot of pride in his game and he’s not a quitter. I’m just a little irked at him for throwing the Rangers front office under the bus for doing their jobs, i.e. making the team better. Say, your guy Reagins seems to be open to taking on bloated contracts for overrated players, how bout you put in a good word for MY for me?
:^)
Peter – Zactly. He needs to accept his role as DH utility guy because obviously no other team is willing to bite on that contract. If he was worth the contract, he’d already be gone or the Rangers never would have signed Beltre in the first place.
Stix – Don’t get me wrong, despite the tone of my post(I had to cut the post short because of work), I respect the hell out of MY. I just hope he is truly worthy of that respect and doesn’t poison the clubhouse with his disgruntlement.
–Jonestein
Shhhhhhh! We’re all hoping Tony hasn’t heard about Michael Young yet – pay no attention to the disgruntled Ranger behind the curtain. I think Wells may work out okay but there’s no need for Tony to get any other “brilliant” ideas in the meantime. Heck, we still have a whole misdirection campaign to plan for when the Giants and Nationals try to get rid of Zito and Werth – I’m thinking WWII Ghost Army-style with cardboard cut outs and inflatable props, LOL.
Kristen
This is a very simple game…