[quote name='GhostShark']So, Chris Davis is the sole reason for them losing against the O's by your proxy? That makes no sense. He had over two seasons (of many, many strikeouts) to prove his worth, and he didn't. And just cause he found the longball swing this season in Baltimore, doesn't necessarily mean that is what is to be expected of him for the rest of his career.
And of course, I said both Olt and Profar, but you focused on just Olt, so that is cool. But the real problem here is that Young should have never been in the field in the first place. Just by having him play a position, the team is fighting at a disadvantage. Also, playing "fine" down the stretch doesn't make-up for the negative WAR, essentially costing the Rangers 1-2 games and several million dollars. Let's not even get into how he is making upwards of 15 million next year.
And yes, they did lose in a one game playoff, but is that blame to be put on JD and the front office? JD doesn't control putting PADMY at first base (an error on the first batter that led to an unearned run), he doesn't control Wash pulling Darvish at 91 pitches for a shaky, inconsistent Holland (who might I remind you that he sucks in relief apperances), nor does he control the complete lack of hitting the team showed down the stretch (something neither Washington nor Coolbaugh tried to fix.)[/QUOTE]
The argument regarding Davis is more an argument about player development. Maybe there is a need for stronger bench coaches. Why are O'Day, Hunter, and Davis all over contributing on the O's and not here in Texas? Assets like that would have negated the need to play a one game playoff.
I did focus on Olt because you keep making an illogical argument. You keep saying Young shouldn't have played and reference the negative WAR, but don't point out any logical choices to replace him. Your main point is using the negative WAR, which is a cumulative stat over the course of the year. Your key contention is that a person physically unable to play in the field should have replaced him and a September callup should have replaced him. That makes no sense. A baseball season starts in April. Also lets point out that the guy hit .338 last year and knocked in 108. If you are a manager you are inclined to think that a player who has continually produced numbers in that range is going to continue to do so.
Kado, do you remember what Koji did last year? He might have been solid this year, but lets not ignore the fact that he took a five gallon gas can out to the mound and torched the shit out of that mother

er. He couldn't get out shit last year and every ball left the yard. They could have adjusted and gotten another quality arm last offseason. If he was such a good pickup he would have been able to make it on the WS roster.
If we are giving the front office a pass, then can you guys give me a good reason why Daniels did not find a quality fifth starter? 10 straight losses out of the 5 hole down the stretch. Daniels picked up Oswalt, Dempster, and Soto over the course of the year and none of them worked out.

if Soto is behind the plate Jim Thome and David Ortiz should have the green light because that mother

er ain't throwing out anybody. At one point he was 1 for 25 in throwing people out. That's an Ace

ing catcher right there. .200 average and can't throw out a

ing runner. Real winner.
With all that said, none of us are even arguing if the injury bug doesn't bite as bad as it did. Lewis and Feliz going down was a killer.