Monday Morning Manager

1. At this point with the way the team is playing I wouldn’t risk a trade if it meant selling the farm system away.
2. Absolutely. If we can pitch up a serviceable arm or even a prospect or two for him I say go for it. It’s to the point where I don’t want to see him in the field or up at bat.

3. It’s hard to argue with the results Buck has been getting from the two.

4. If it ain’t broke…

5. Seattle will be the main team. Also, now that the Angels have let go of the right Weaver they’re poised to go on a run. If Oakland gets Harden back healthy they could have another go. I guess the way it stands now we’re the only team really not in that running. That of course could change quickly if our rotation/bullpen starts to perform again.

1. The Rangers should trade Jack Benoit. They should look to acquire someone like Oliver Perez, who is young and inconsistent but has a high ceiling. I would love a Willis or Schmidt but I don’t want to give up as much as it will take. The Rangers need an innings horse who can give you a quality start every time out. Maybe Paul Byrd.
2. Yes. Get something for Shrek while you can.

3. The Rangers should continue to keep both catchers.

4. Otsuka should remain the closer. By the end of the year I think Josh Rupe might be a candidate to close, though.

5. Oakland is the clear favorite. They will get Rich Harden back at some point, who is better than anyone out there on the trade market.

1. The Rangers should trade for a #1 or #2 type starter. Dontrelle Willis would be great. However that is NOT going to happen so they should just wait and hope Eaton comes back strong and does well. On a side note, the pitching staff needs to help Kam develop an out pitch. I think the rangers focus too much on sinker-ball pitchers getting ground balls. Look at what Drese did with his great sinker…nothing. Can’t they teach Loe to throw a split finger or even a 4 seam fastball?? Just something to keep hitters from zeroing in on his sinker.
2.) The Rangers should only trade Mench (in a package if needed) if they can get a frontline starter.

3.) Laird should be the catcher…especially since they decided to keep him instead of Chris Young. Trade Barajas (and Mench or anyone else) to get a #1/#2 guy.

1. What pitcher should the Rangers trade for before July 31?

Make it plural. PitcherS. They need 2! And, they should go get Willis AND Perez to be bookends in the rotation. That with Eaton back is the only hope to transform this team into a contender that could do something in the playoffs. And NONE of our prospects should be offlimits to get this done. Willis is a Cy Young caliber Ace, with the composure to not let a bad month (May) ruin a season. He’s a skid stopper (invaluable for a perenially streaky team like the Rangers) who can gobble up innings – 7 CGs in ’05 and 3 CGs already this season.

Since I was a kid, the Rangers have needed one thing to get to the next level – a true Ace! And not just a flash in the pan. A couple of pitchers have had ace-like seasons here, but name one ace (or even a true #1 or a real solid #2) that developed in the Rangers’ system and stayed a true ace (or true #1 or solid #2)for at least 3 seasons? THEY’VE NEVER DONE IT!

For any given year, you could put together a staff of former Rangers pitchers that would be better than the Rangers’ current staff. And don’t tell me it’s the Ballpark or the heat – it’s the system and poor evaluation.

So stop trying to develop pitching!

Trade Diamond, Danks, Rupe, Volquez, Rheinecker, Benoit, Wasdin and Dickey (whatever it takes) for guys who’ve developed somewhere else. And then if you like them, pull a “Kenny Rogers” and get them back after they’ve polished their craft on a team that can develop pitching.

2. Should the Rangers trade Kevin Mench?

NO. Trade Matthews Jr. NOW! The guy’s clearly having a few career months. A 7-year “veteran” doesn’t just suddenly figure it all out and play this well for too long at this level. His value will never be higher; Mench’s has never been lower.

The Rangers need to learn the concept of selling high. Has any team in the history of baseball had an 8-year span with more MVPs (4) than playoff games won (1)? And then had such little to show for that talent? (The Hart/Daniels disappearing act… watch as they turn MVP A-Rod into Soriano and Arias and then basically into Otsuka – all while spinning off talent like Young, A. Gonzalex, Rogers, and more).

3. Who should be the catcher, Rod Barajas or Gerald Laird?

Both

4. Who should be the closer, Francisco Cordero or Akinori Otsuka?

Otsuka!

5. What A.L. West club is going to be the team to beat?

Any but the Rangers if they don’t completely retool NOW!

1. farm system is very deep and the AL West (NL West 2005 v 2.0) is there for the taking. They should trade for Tim Hudson. He’s underachieving and Atlanta will start moving the veterans for young talent. Millwood’s health looks shaky and they need a(nother?) frontline starter.
2.Yes. we will have a new president way before Mench becomes a free agent. Hard-hitting, relatively young, and not expensive at all. very attractive. A package of Nix, Mench, and some other dude will get us some good pitching.

3.Rod-B has been a good soldier so far. But Gerald WILL be next year’s starting catcher and giving him time to establish himself will benefit everybody (as long as he produces…which he has done so far)

4.Just look at the numbers. AO. Although Cordero will close again next year (doesn’t have to be for the Rangers, though)

5.Seattle’s looking good, Oakland’s ALWAYS in it. But who’s been in postseason on a consistent basis this millenium? LOS ANGELES DE ANAHEIM DE LOS ANGELES, ladies and gentlemen.

1. I feel that that Smoltz is the only one worth paying the price over. Any pitcher that will help will cost the club some young prospects, afterall a team not in contention will not want a Mench or Barajas salary. Smoltz brings the experience factor.

2.Absolutely. He is a very good player but there is no room in the lineup for him right now. His trade potential is high and could bring a middle relief/minor league help.

3. They should keep going the way things are. But next year should be Laird’d year. Play him and sign someone who be backup with fair amount of playing time. If Barajas can fill that role, then resign him.

4. Ostuka.

5.Oakland. But watch out for Seattle.

JFS

1. Smoltz or Hirnandez
2. As bad as I hate to say it, I think we should make the trade and get DeRosa into that spot regularly so that we can have trading leverage for another starting pitcher.

3. Another hard one…trade Barahas..keep Laird..leverage

4. Once again..trade one of them for leverage..I like both but Oki is on fire!!!

5. All 3 beings that Seattle woke up and LAA are looking to strengthen themselves.

1. Again the Rangers and pitching fall into the “What were they thinking?” category. They shouldn’t have let a promising young pitcher like Chris Young go. Smoltz would help immediately, but I would like to see someone that can make an impact here for at least a couple of years.
2. I really like Mench, but the business of side of it says someone in the outfield will probably go if the right opportunity arises.

3. Laird was off to a great start before he was injured his rookie year. Barajas hasn’t played as well the first half of this season as he did last year, but he is starting to come around. Still, I think Laird is the catcher of the future.

4. Oki is doing great. I still hold my breath this year when Cordero comes in. Last year I was always confidenet when he entered the game.

5. Oakland. I don’t think Seattle will maintain their current level. It will definately come down to head to head play and Oakland has the best record against the west, but I hope the Rangers can pull it out. I think that we deserve it.

2. Absolutely NOT!!!!!! I would trade Nix/Wilkerson in some kind of package deal to get some pitching help.Kevin is a core player for this team. He brings life into this team not only on the field but off of it as well. You would be crazy to mess up this type of chemistry.
3. I say keep them both and use them like we are now. But knowing that isn’t going to happen I would vote keep Laird, he has the better arm and is faster around the bases. He also has the ability it seems to call better games.

4. Aki

5.Oakland

1. John Smoltz. I don’t see too many others that might be available (and I don’t think Willis is going anywhere. He would be my other choice) I think with Eaton coming back, Padilla pitching well (as long as he is consistent. My only issue with him this year) and as long as Millwood is not seriously injured, we have a staff that can contend.

2. Only for Smoltz or a reliable starting pitcher that will put us over the top. I would rather see Nix go (I know I am not the only one, I have read other comments) than Mench. I like Mench – he is one of my favorite players on the team.

3. Status quo for now, but Laird is the catcher of the future. If it ain’t broke…

4. Aki. No question about it. Cordero has been much better lately, but (like an earlier post) I still cringe when he comes in.

5. Oakland – it kills me to say that. They are the best team and they always finish strong. The Angels will be better in the second half, and unfortunately will pass us for 2nd. Seattle had thier hot streak getting fat on weaker teams. They are done. I hope I am wrong. My hope is that (1.) Eaton comes back healthy and pitches to his potential, (2.) Padilla pitches as well as he has his last couple of starts, (3.)Millwood’s bicep is nothing serious and (4.) the two Johns continue to get better. That is a pretty good rotation. The bats will heat up – that is a given. I believe we have the pieces to win the division and after that, anything can happen.

1. For a front line the Rangers will have to give up a regular or two plus two or three prospects. Don’t do it this way.
2. Mench can go, he doesn’t hit well in pressure. Mathews, Jr is having a career year. A veteran his age doesn’t have a light to just come on, he will not be this high again. He may go also, sale high. It is best to sell a year to early than a year to late.

3. Continue as is unless approached, but keep Laird if possible.

4. Otsuka, listen in the air about Cordero. This time of the year GMs are looking for help.

5. Oakland is known for their second halves. LA are the repeats.