From the soon to be defunct Dallas Morning News baseball coverage:

"My conversations with Nolan were especially productive," Young said.

Translation: "Now listen here, son. You don't want to end up like Robin Ventura do you? You know what I mean?"

Overpaid ballplayers shouldn't cave in so easily during these tough economic times.

Keith Law said in his chat today that he felt Andrus was not ready, 'saying his upside at this point is that of a slap-hitter who hits .300 due to an unsustainable BABIP. That said, if the early jump doesn't mess with Andrus' mind too much, it may well be worth it as defense has been a pretty large problem for the Rangers in recent years. The left side of the infield should be pretty stellar.

Is Joaquin Arias an option too? At least as a stopgap?

Keith Law said in his chat today that he felt Andrus was not ready, 'saying his upside at this point is that of a slap-hitter who hits .300 due to an unsustainable BABIP.

I don't think Andrus is ready either, but I take issue with the "unsustainable BABIP" part of the quote. There's less variance year-to-year for a hitter, normally, than there is for a pitcher.

-- MWE

Is Joaquin Arias an option too? At least as a stopgap?

Not really, I have zero confidence in the optimistic reports of his throwing arm/shoulder recovery. I don't think he really has the arm to play there anymore, which is too bad, because he has a promising glove. Andrus will sink or swim, and there no doubt will be hoots and hollers from idiots like Galloway and Reeves over every error he makes as he grows into it.

It's an exciting move, really. Young freaked and got over it. Texas is graduating some exciting new players from the farm. Is Andrus as slick with the glove as advertised, Mike? If so, it should help out the pitchers a bit, na?

Ian Kisnler couldn't play 3rd?

I have to disagree with this as a stain to Jon Daniels' reputation. It's pretty clear that this is the best move for the team and in the future.

I could see an argument that this is a stain because it was Daniels, after all, who decided to give him the long-term contract -- but I'm more or less positive that that particular contract came down from Hicks.

For anyone interested, this is what set it off.

After a strike on the first pitch, Tuxus Woopasser Ryan jumped out of the GM box and came thunderin to the mound

"Son, How many pitches have you thrown?"
"1"
"Son, How many pitches does it take to get an out?"
"uh, 1 sir"
"Son, I'm lookin at the scoreboard. Son, can you tell me what number I'm seeing up there UNDER OUTS"?
"uh, 0 sir"
"Son, do you always plan to go through life an aimless, shiftless bum?"
"uh-"
"Give me the ball son."

So word got around among the pitchers theyd better get contact and immediate outs.

So the next game the first pitch is grounded to the shortstop.

Didn't help. Again, Tuxus Woopasser Ryan jumped out of the GM box and came thunderin to the mound.

"Son, Do you always plan to go throuh life hopin to get wild-ass lucky with the ball goin 6 INCHES LEFT OF THE SHORTSTOP?"

I really would have prefered that Andrus get another year in the minors.

5/$80M for an old SS playing a corner

Sweet

Isn't it possible that Arias starts the season at SS and Andrus comes up in July or something? Moving Young in spring training rather than July makes sense no matter when Andrus comes up.