Monday Morning Manager...Wall Street Journal Edition

1. Yes, I would give Mark Teixiera that contract, in a heartbeat.

2.No, no, no and no. Next year's crop of free agent CF include not just Vernon Wells, but also Tori Hunter, Mark Kotsay and Aaron Rowand - I'd rather give that contract to any of them over GMJ.

3. I agree with that decision - Lee would have been a DH on this team - and I don't see the value or wisdom in locking up a DH with that kind of contract. Lee will be playing 1B in Houston by the second year of that contract.

4. I'd bite on Padilla - I sound like an endless loop on this one - Padilla likes it here, he likes the pitching coach, he likes the heat, he pitches well at the Ballpark in Arlington - why wouldn't you sign him? Adam Eaton... has 7 seasons in the big leagues, has only made 30+ starts 2 times, and has only pitched over 128 inning 2 times - I'm leary of investing in that kind of a contract. I'd prefer to see the Rangers offer him a big incentive laden one year deal with an option - and frankly, if he wants the long term deal - he might want sign a contract like that - stay healthy for a year - and then test the free agent market.

5. I go to plenty of minor league games every season - and I'm just not that impressed with Joaquin Arias - I think he arrived with alot of Yankee hype - I'd sell high and trade him. Jason Botts on the other hand is a less expensive alternative at DH, and as backup OF - and back up at 1B. I'd rather see the Rangers save a few dollars - to put towards pitching - and give Jason the oppotunity - than to spend money on the likes of Shannon Stewart.

1. Wonder how better off we would be if we traded Mark Teixeira, kept Chris Young and Adrian Gonzalez and found a closer from the bunch we have now.
2. They should refer to Mike Lamb's fly ball as the $50 million catch.

3. Take the draft picks

4. Neither. Rather keep those spots open for Hurley and Diamond.

5. Arias needs to play SS because I trade Young to the White Sox for Brandon McCarthy, Brian Anderson and more. Botts is my DH

1. As crazy as it sounds, I don't think the Soriano contract gets it done with Tex. If it would, you'd have to pull the trigger. I am hoping the Rangers have kept payroll low so that players like Young and Tex can be kept in Texas when their current deals end.

2. No, that contract will be eating the Angels for three years. GMJ is an overrated CF who was able to parlay a few highlights and a miracle season at the plate into a big contract. We should be greatful that we have a scouting team that can find contributors like GMJ and DeRosa on the cheap and trust them to find some more like them for 2007 and 2008.

3. Double no. Not only is he bad defensively, but I question how strong his work ethic will be after getting the big contract. In September I saw a player that looked like he did not care whether he was winning or losing and I am glad he's gone.

4. Eaton is too big of a risk for a contract that size. (think the Yankees want a do over on Jaret Wright?) Padilla is a guy I do not trust. I have heard that his work ethic was bad with the Phillies (why else would they hand him too us for nothing) and if that's the case, he will disappear (performance wise) after the big contract is signed. I'd like to get someone of his caliber in here, but I don't risk a 4 yr - $40 mil deal on him.

5. Trade Arias, keep Botts as a part time DH and backup 1B at least for this season. Arias may be a slow developing shortstop and turn into a good player in a few years, but he has trade value now so fire away.

1. Probably yes. What Teixeira lacks in speed, he makes up with outstanding defense. Besides, he's younger than Soriano. Although, Pujols' contract was "only" 7yr/$105M. Personally, I don't think Tex is at Pujols' level yet but his agent will make everyone belief he's better.

2.No way. I appreciate Matthews' ONLY good year here, but committing all that money over such long period is insane. He played great defense but that was a bit overvalued as well, having committed almost as many errors as Vernon Wells and Torii Hunter combined.

3. Houston is going to regret this one eventually. If he has to move to 1B, then they'd have to find another position for Berkman, and I don't think there are many he can play, either.

4. Eaton couldn't even hold up in the best pitcher's park in the NL while Padilla at least showed us he could pitch. Take Padilla.

5. Who's going to help us the most next year? Unless they are serious about trading Young (which I think would be a huge mistake), then they should trade Arias. With all those first round and sandwich draft picks he won't be missed.

"Rangers we have a problem... We're still paying the salary of someone playing for another team (3rd base/yankees) Hicks has been bitten and is now twice shy. Money is a dirty word! and LOTS of money is worse. How many spots do the Rangers need to fill??? A whole new Team I think. Trade Young and Tex and get good up and coming starting pitchers with heaps of years on their contracts so we can keep them. When Michael and Mark become free agents there is noway Hick's will be able to pay them what they are worth.It's a shame as I like them both (especially Michael Young) but I cannot see them staying here when they become Free agents.
1/ Me :yes I would .Hicks: no he wont.

2/ good luck GMJ hope you have a great year (except playing against us),as other people have pointed out GMJ had a fantastic year but played well above his usual stats.

3/ Mr Lee was not worth anything to the Rangers. He didn't look like he was even trying some of the time. Not worth that much money to be a DH

4/Padilla: when he was good he was very very good and when he was terrible he was really terrible .. If he accepted a performance type contract I'd offer him the money. He likes Texas and the team .. thats a good start.

5/see first statement. with Young and Tex gone these are the replacements. (maybe)

1. No. As riega pointed out, I don't think you could or should sign Tex to a contract worth more than Pujols' deal (Tex can't hold Pujols' jock in terms of consistency and sheer numbers). If it looks like he is going to want more than that, I'd trade him for the best deal you could get for him. And I'd be hesitant to sign him for anything close to Pujols' deal if he doesn't have a bounce-back year next season.

2. Are you kidding me? All you have to do is read Keith Law's analysis of GMJr on ESPN.com to realize that the LAAofA laid out a bunch of money to a guy who had one good year.

3. At the rate he is going, Lee is going to look like one of the steers on his ranch by the time that contract is up. Mooo, I mean Nooo way you do that deal.

4. The problem with pitching is that you have to over-pay for it. Neither Padilla nor Eaton are worth the money and years they're looking for, but you know someone will be willing to sign them for what they're asking. If I had to take one, I'd take Padilla because of his durability and his mean streak. But if I had a choice, I'd prefer to sign Zito with all his warts than I would either Padilla or Eaton, because of Zito's record at the Ballpark and because of his consistency, at least in the number of innings he's pitched over the course of his career.

5. I like Botts. I think he is a good option for DH/4th outfielder/backup 1st baseman. Arias, on the other hand, isn't good enough to beat out either Young or Kinsler. So unless you trade Hank and put Arias at third, why let him diminish his trade value by going to Triple A for another year when you can trade him at or near the peak of his value?

1. I would sign Texeira up in a heartbeat for that money.
2. I would have. Mathews' defense alone in centerfield probably helped the pitching staff immensely. Personally, I am tired of waiting for next year. Not signing Mathews is an indication that the Rangers are already moving ahead to 2008. If you want Wells or Hunter, then trade for them now and ante up the money this year.

3. They were right on passing up the deal for Carlos Lee. I really didn't see a tremendous impact from him while he was here. It is too much money for someone who can only be a designated hitter. I would have used some of this money to resign DeRosa.

4. I would do the deal with Padilla. As far as I'm concerned, his tendency to throw at hitters from time to time is just good old fashioned hardball. The Rangers need a pitcher with his moxie who is willing to move batters off the plate. I seem to recall a pitcher named Bob Gibson who had a mean streak in him - he is now a Hall of Famer. He also isn't afraid pitching at Ameriquest and seems to thrive in hot weather. Resigning Eaton for that much money depends on whether we have a realistic chance of signing Zito or Schmidt. I would use the money to sign Zito or Schmidt first before resigning Eaton.

5. I would move Arias to the outfield this winter so you could take a look at this possibility in spring training. I would put Botts in leftfield and DH and keep him there for at least half a season.

1. I would sign Tex for that deal. Not sure that Boras would agree to that. We have to pick & chose which offensive players we should pay the big bucks. Tex is as clutch as it gets and is getting better. He and Michael Young should be the offensive foundation for this team.
2. I like GMJ, but $50MM for 5 years is too much for a guy who has only one really good season in a hitter's ballpark.

3. No, we can't spend that kind of $ on a DH / corner OF.

4. I would sign Padilla and look elsewhere for another free agent starter. You will have to overpay Eaton to pitch in Texas and with his injuries, he is a bad risk.

5. I am not sure if Botts a long term major leaguer. If he is, it's at DH. I might try him as low cost option at DH, but if he doesn't pan out quickly, he may need to be cut loose. Arias needs to play every day at AAA in 2006 and further develop his hitting. He is an option if we can't retain Young. I don't think his value has peaked, so I would not trade him unless a great deal came around that involved a good starting pitcher.

1. Absolutely!
2. No...As much as I love GMJ, the Angels just made a HUGE (and I think unwise) risk, so I'm glad the Rangers didn't get into a bidding war. Save 10 million and get Padilla back in Arlington for the next four years.

3. NO!

4. Yes on Padilla. Eaton is an interesting guy and a bigger risk than Padilla. However, I would probably do it, especially if the Rangers don't have plans to get Zito. One thing is for sure: I would definitely rather the Rangers take a risk on a guy like Eaton over another aging power-hitter....Hidalgo, Galarraga, Nevin, Caminitti, etc.

5. Great question. If Soriano can make a move from infield to outfield, is there any chance that Arias could play CF? Botts deserves a chance to earn DH time and a little 1B to give Teixeira a rest, but it will be tough with Cat in town...kinda creates a log-jam, which makes me think Texas is thinking about moving Botts in a deal for pitching....which makes me have nightmares of the Drese-for-Hafner swap.

Ok, I might be crazy but there are a few things I would do as the Ranger owner.

1st, No no-trade clauses.

2nd, No pitcher gets longer than a 5 year deal, preferably 4 with an option.

3rd, No position player gets longer than a 6 year contract.

4th, No contracts over 100 million dollars.

5th, Never overpay with years. It is better to overpay for three years than have a player on your books for six who is underachieving.

That is my 2-cents on contracts.

1)No, Texiera is great but that is too much money. Trade him next year and watch the teams line up.

2)No, GMJ did a great job here, but in an average free agent market his value would probably be at 4-6 million per year for 3-4 years. Wait till next year when center fielders will be available.

3)No, You can't tie up 100 million dollars for a player that is a defensive liability. For 100 million, you better hit the long ball, bat for average, have decent speed, and play stellar defense. Lee doesn't do that.

4)Padilla, yes. Eaton, maybe. Padilla has done well here and there is no reason to believe that his production should diminsh much. With Eaton health is the big issue. I trust Jon Daniels to make the right call there. I would probably sign both.

5)Trade Arias if his value is high. Botts would be my DH. What about the hole left by Derosa? How about Drew Meyer being the super utility guy?

I'm getting kind of disappointed to hear all these former Rangers getting signed to someone other than the Rangers. Not only that but the only talk I've heard of was Frank...hello are they planning to go into spring training with their minor league pitching staff? I know there is plenty of time before the start of the season but not like there are a lot out there. I'm afraid that Rangers are putting their eggs into Zito and end up overpaying him like they did with Park.
1. I would definitely give the same money to Tex. With the type of production and results he is giving it's worth it. He just needs help in the lineup.

2. Maybe a one year contract but not a 5 yr.

3. Nope, too much money and risk.

4. Padilla would be good since he now knows how to pitch in Arlington and Eaton, with the injury out of the way showed some signs of promise. I would bite.

5. Botts would be a good person to have in the lineup next year and get use to the bigs. I'm sure his bat would help and maybe fill in at 1B to give Tex a rest. However Arias may be good trade bait. Let him prove himself some where else.

Answer to #1. If his is demanding it, yes.

Ans to # 2. A qualified yes. That $50 should require some minimum stats clauses. Such as not dropping below his stats of 2006.

Ans to # 3. Please! Lee plays the outfield at maybe 80%, the way that Hicks goes after front line pitching. Yes he is a good stick, but his lazy approach to playing the outfield has to aggravate at least some of the other players on team. A winning team needs 40 players giving no less than 100%. That’s why most of us here in the DFW area are glad that Soriano is no longer a Ranger.

Ans to #4. First of all, Eaton is gone pending physical. I don’t think Padilla believes he can get $40 million from anybody.

To * Jake D. in Dallas: Now add to that list that Eaton is gone. Last year when Daniels traded Dellucci he began tearing the heart out of this team. This is the next installment. He doesn’t know baseball, he doesn’t know winning, he doesn’t understand team chemistry. All he sees is a business with tight purse strings. If you believe what comes out of his mouth then you are one of the many who have been hoodwinked!

To * Brett K. in Arlington: Eaton is now gone pending his physical. Why? Because Hicks and Daniels keep saying that they want to keep players and want to be in the playoffs out of one side of their mouth. When negotiating with these players the other side of their mouth takes over.

To * Howard H. in Arlington: You have to be kidding? Young had better numbers than Jeter in ’06. Young is genuine at either position.

To * Patrick S. in Plano: And the Rangers invested multiple years in developing Mathews. Isn’t it strange that they wouldn’t protect their investment? Fluke year in ’06? I don’t think so. Do the Rangers place so little value on the work of their coaching staff? And now playing for the Angels he will haunt us every time we play them.

To * Thomas J. in Corpus Christi: Interesting thought. I think his acquisition would be comparable to signing Ryan in the 90’s.

To * Tyler W. in Denton: The teams they go to keep them happy. And let’s be careful with Rogers in that list. He had the same arm when he was here in Texas, but didn’t have the same attitude or commitment to contract. Long term the Ranger organization has done a poor job of developing young pitching. When they do bring along a good prospect they won’t not pay him to keep him. Too darn tight with the money.

Young and Tex are the heart and soul of this team. Build around them.
Gary Matthews? Any team that gives a guy with a .249 lifetime average going into last season $50 million for five years is crazy. Bill Stoneman won't pull the trigger on any trades by parting with any of the Angels' young talent, so he has to overpay for free-agent personnel.

If I'm the Rangers I go into next season with this lineup:

LF -- Frank C.

CF -- Kenny Lofton

RF -- Nelson Cruz

1B -- Tex

2B -- Kinsler

SS -- Young

3B -- Blalock

C -- Laird

SP -- Millwood, Zito, Padilla, Tejeda and one of the other young guys.

RP -- Otsuka, Littleton, Wilson, Rupe, Feldman, Mahay.

I really think Washington is going to do for Hank what he did for Chavez. Kinsler will be even better with a year under his belt. I think he could hit 20 HRs and steal 20-25 bases with a more aggressive manager. Add Tex and Young and the Rangers will have one of the best infields in the game.

I make a big push to get Zito and Padilla. That's where the Rangers should spend their big money this offseason, on pitching, on two guys who have proved they can pitch in Arlington. That's a big key. Let other teams like the Angels and Astros overpay for everyday players.

If the Rangers can get two solid starting pitchers for next year, I really like their chances. If we're short on offense at the All-Star break, then go out and get another bat, but don't be like Stonemen and be afraid to pull the trigger.

Forgot to add my DH ...
Botts and Wilkerson are two major candidates. I've heard the name Jose Guillen thrown out there, but I don't want that guy. He's a cancer. I'd much rather go with a Shannon Stewart or Rondell White to platoon with Wilkerson than sign Jose Guillen.

Here we go again! Another off season and the Rangers struggle, looking for a cheap deal to fix the broken parts. I suspect trades will be in the offering, but they won't come cheap. I hope that the Rangers learned their lesson last year with the C. Lee deal. Probably the worst trade of the new GM's history, so far....giving up three players for the use of Lee for two months ... hope there are not more to come. Glad Houston has him now. Poor offensive player and a lot of money for just his bat. Time will tell.

For the record: the Rangers did acquire a player from the Brewers in the Carlos Lee trade who appears to have the opportunity to have big role in the Rangers future: OF Nelson Cruz.

Cruz was rated by Baseball America as one of the Brewers Top 10 prospects for 2006 (#8) - his career BA in the minors is .292 (OPS: .858) and it's very likely he will be in the Rangers starting OF in 2007. Meanwhile, Kevin Mench traded to the Brewers - hit .230 in 126 AB's in Milwaukee, and by September was playing part-time (only 15 September AB's).

Good point, and I strongly agree that Nelson Cruz has a good opportunity this year to help the Rangers, in Right Field. He showed excellent defensive abilities last year and I suspect with more at bats he will do just fine. Sort of a tough time of the year for owners and GMs, trying to find the right mix at the right price. But come April 2, 2007, those who are true Rangers fans will continue to support them, as we have in the past, and Opening Day at home, on April 6th, should be a standing room only crowd.

Jon Daniels can still have a rewarding winter IF he signs Zito and Padilla. With all the money saved by not signing Lee (thank goodness), Matthews (sigh), Eaton (unknown) and Rod (too bad) and ignoring the chance to resign the Louisiana man (drat) there should be enough to sign these two pitchers. Otherwise hello fourth place!

1)I would give Tex $125 million with some wiggle room; if we don't get this done now, we can expect Scott Boros to bleed us dry and have the Yankees snap him up.
2)Gary had a fantastic year, is a great guy all-around, but should not get $50 million for one top-notch year. I say that ONLY if Jon Daniels has AIRTIGHT plans to trade someone (hopefully Brad Wilkerson and others)for Vernon Wells

3)We should NOT have given Carlos Lee anywhere near $100--he couldn't field, he only hit singles, and is FAT and slow. JD took a calculated chance since Cordero was uptight here after blowing so many games, Lance Nix had proven he was fragile and couldn't hit to expectations, and Kevin Mench is still an unknown. Carlos could have been awesome if he had hit better and was even chunky, NOT FAT. We didn't fair well on this one, but didn't lose much in my estimation-as long as we use that money in saving to PROPER effect.

4)With Adam Eaton gone now (#@&*$)! Tom Hicks HAS/MUST give Padilla what he wants. I cannot emphasize this enough. We MUST re-sign Padilla, probably our best pitcher last year.

5)Jason Botts probably will have to play the outfield as we continue losing our everday players every day for a week now. Arias could be used as a bench or role player, but couldn't supplant Michael Young, Hank Blalock, Ian Kinsler or Tex on the infield. If it were I, I'd put him in Triple AAA for seasoning.

Everyday, I'm passing from optimistic (keeping our free agents and signing key pitching additions), NOW my opinion is teetering on junking this season and playing our youth--this wouldn't make our Veterans happy, nor should it. I don't blame JD, it seems all the free agent "gambles" all turned out sour, whereas if they had resigned them all, JD would look like a genius. One last point, a couple years ago, Pudge walked into Tom Shieffer's office and told Tom he wanted to stay in Arlington, and took under market value. We have to look at the players who in the end ditched our "team" for bigger bucks, so we can't lay everything on JD. The scorecard reads: Chris Young, Adrian Gonzales, Lance Nix, Francisco Cordero, Kevin Mench, Alfonso Soriano gone, For Carlos Lee, Adam Eaton, Akinori Otsuka and (GULP!!)Brad Wilkerson. All we have to show is Akinori Otsuka and (GULP!!)Brad Wilkerson. Please say it ain't so JD...but I'm afraid it's true. I can live with Chris Young traded for Eaton, IF we had signed Eaton. But I'll NEVER get over Alfonso Soriano banished and winding up with (GULP!!)Brad Wilkerson. We got schooled and mauled on that trade. My advice is to sign Barry Zito, if possible, re-sign Padilla, and get a stop-gap center fielder. Can Daryl Hamilton and his NO ERRORS from the 1996 team still play?

I forgot to mention that we did receive Nelson Cruz in the Carlos Lee trade. So, we do have an upside on this deal. A slight upside, depending on what Nelson Cruz becomes.

Thanks everybody for posting. Love all the participation and the comments....You've been great. Hope more chime in

Here is my lineup:
CF GUZMAN

DH CATALANOTTO

2B YOUNG

1B TEXIERA

RF CRUZ

3B BLALOCK

LF KINSLER

C LAIRD

SS ARIAS

ZITO MILLWOOD PADILLA DANKS TEJEDA