washington_ron.jpgAh, sod it.

Of all the coaches in the Oakland Athletics dugout, the one that I have always considered to be the hub of clubhouse unity is Ron Washington. Here’s a guy that has the support of the fans, the players, the press, and by all accounts the front office, so when Ken Macha was kicked to the curb, you’d expect Wash might have got a shot at the brass ring.

Well, he will. It just won’t be with Oakland.

Tonight, the Texas Rangers announced they’ve picked up Washington as manager, taking from Oakland the guy who helped them become the premier defensive unit in the game. Good news for Texas, not so great news for the A’s.

This will, however, in all likelihood mean there’ll be a small shift in a few coaching positions up the system. Will AAA Sacramento manager Tony Defrancesco be called up to replace Wash? Will Bob Geren get the top spot in the majors for Oakland, or will he perhaps walk if someone else gets it?

So many ‘what if’ scenarios, only one certainty: Wash will be missed.