Monday Morning Manager...King Tut Day

"Born in Arizona, moved to Babylonia
King Tut

Dancing by the Nile,

The ladies love his style.

Foxy Tut

Rockin' for a mile,

Rockin' Tut

He ate a crocodile.

He gave his life for tourism.

-- “King Tut” by Steve Martin

(now you’ll have that song on your mind all day, just like me)

1. To quote my good friend Jamey Newberg: “ That's what can happen when, without question, it's about the money.” … and the fact that the Angels are contenders while the Rangers wander around figuring out “this year’s plan” instead of planning and building for contending in the future.

2. I’d prefer Crisp but sounds like the Red Sox want Gerald Laird and half the Rangers farm system, Crisp isn’t worth that. I’m still onboard with Aaron Rowand.

3. No to Guillen. I still wonder if Andruw Jones would be willing to follow in the footsteps of Eric Gagne and take a one year, incentive laden deal to re-establish himself after a couple of down years. If Andruw's willing to do that, the Rangers should be all over it.

4. Hmmmm – tough call, **** Williams and Billy Martin both have 2 World Series wins, Whitey just one. Billy has the best winning percentage (.553) but **** Williams has more longevity and more wins (1571) – Herzog has 1281 wins – Martin 1253 wins (by the way Jim Leyland is likely to pass up Billy in the win column this season).

My personal preference is **** Williams, but then again that’s because of my 1970’s Oakland A’s bias – and because Billy Martin’s “fame” is more about his off the field exploits as his baseball acumen.

5. I still don’t get induldge in trade talk (although I like the idea behind this one)

http://emc.mlblogs.com

1. Not sure I would listen to any of Tom Hick's BS, either.
2. Why has the Ranger's interest in Rowand been described as... luke warm???

3. I would pass.

4. Hummm.

5. I would. But, I am not sure Edmonds is the CF that we are looking for. Past injury issues would make me hestitant. With that said, a move to the a corner position may help...

LF - Byrd

CF - Murphy

RF - Edmonds

That OF is better than what we currently have. Plug anyone (with the exception of Hurley) into Padilla spot in the rotation. How much worse could they be....

1. They money whipped him just like they did GMJ last year. I was OK with him coming here if it had been for 5/75. Not so interested at 90 million. Giving so much money to Hunter to play center only 1 year later proves how rediculous it was to give GMJ the contract he got. Before the end of next season they'll have 4 outfielders under contract who are ages 36, 34, 33 and 32. Guerrero is the youngest of those 4 and he has bad knees requiring him to DH frequently. Doesn't look like a very smark move for the future, but it may work in the short term.

2. In order Crisp, Cameron, then Rowand. I'd rather see Murphy and Byrd in center than sign Patterson. If the Red Sox would take G. Laird and Doug Mathis for Crisp, I'd do that deal, but I wouldn't give up any more than that. Mike Cameron isn't a bad option if he'll accept a 2 year deal. I think Rowand is going to get more than 5/55 and I like him, but don't know if his bat is worth it. I also would question his long term durability.

3. Not really intersted in Jones. Guillen might be a nice gamble on a 2 year deal, but I'd rather explore Fukudome if he ever decides to leave Japan.

4. Martin

5. Sure.

1. I'm not suprised. The Rangers make a beatable offer to someone, even though they say it is their top priority, and then a club that cares about going to the playoffs makes a good offer and gets the superstar. Same old bull just a different offseason.

2. Aaron Rowand, but we won't get him either. We usually spend money on overrated players like Padilla.

3. Guillen

4. Billy Martin

5. Yes. I would trade Padilla to St. Louis for their bat boy and a free hot dog.

1. As with Mike Hampton's decision to go to Colorado years ago, this was all about the school systems.
2. Aaron Rowand. ..period,end of report.

3. Jones only if it were a Gagne type deal, i.e. one year, incentive laden. Wouldn't want Guillen in the clubhouse with up and coming players.

4. **** Williams then Whitey.

5. Good addition by subtraction, but you're not really helping the OF or lineup that much.

1. Another reason the Angels have such a huge gap between them and the rest of their competition in the AL West. The deal kind of puzzles me b/c they have 4 pretty good OFs, but I think really I'm just ticked because they got better and took our guy that would have made us better.

2. Now that Hunter has signed with the Angels I'd go with Rowand. I'm not completly sold on him but he does play good ball and he hustles. He would be a good addition to our young ball club. I think the main thing is that we need someone who isn't just going to be a one year fix. This is the best year to find a CF and we can't walk away from the offseason without a long term solution.

3. Personally I like Jones and I like him more than a 1 year fix. This guy has had an outstanding career and can be a middle of the line up type of guy. He can boost this offense and is a gold glove in CF. Jones is a good guy and if he doesn't sign here then I really hope Boras can get him a big contract else where.

4. Martin

5. I'd make this trade only if they throw in Mark McGuire too. Seriously, I'd trade Padilla for just about anything.

Get ready, I'm wound up today.

1. As long as Torii didn't sign in Texas for crazy money like that, I am for it. I really see the Rangers being outbid as a good thing.

2. The Rangers should pursue the following:

Fernando Martinez - Mets AA OF

Carlos Gomez - Mets AAA OF

Lastings Milledge - Mets OF

Carlos Gonzalez - Diamondbacks AAA OF

Brian Barton - Indians AA OF

I could go on. However, the Mets have a full OF and 3 great prospects who are ready or will be major league ready in 2009. The Rangers will be bad in 08 and 09, so get some guys who can be stars in 2010. Jamey Newberg has said that the Rangers have been trying to acquire Gomez, and I say get it done. The Mets may want more than Laird, and if so, throw in Francisco (they need relievers too).

Get a future stud outfielder, or keep playing with our current group. I repeat a previously asked question - 2007 was supposed to be a rebuilding year, was it? I can't definitively answer the question because we still don't know who we are committed to on the active roster.

3. Interested? Sure. I'm not going out of my way to sign Jones, though - that's for sure. He won't be worth what he gets. I'd have slightly more interest in Guillen, but I still don't think the price will be right. Ultimately, I do not think either is a good move.

4. I have always liked Whitey.

5. I know I'm likely the lone voice in the wilderness here, but I am in no hurry to move Padilla. His value is too low right now (yes, deservedly so), but as soon as he is traded he'll repeat 2006. Remember 2006? That would be the year of 15 wins and 200 innings pitched with a mid-4 ERA. Few had a problem with him then.

I understand everyone's frustration with the guy, but to just give him away - I can't agree with that. His potential upside is way more than every single one of the guys I have seen proposed in trades for him.

I say let him pitch until the ASB. If he does well, trade him to a contender who has had a starter go down with an injury that is willing to take a chance, and willing to give us two prospects. If he is horrible in the first half of 2008, then release him. We need pitchers who are capable of eating up some innings. Millwood and Padilla are the only two capable of pitching 200 innings next year. In fact, they may be the only pitchers able to pitch over 150 next year. Loe and McCarthy were the only others to go over 100 innings in 2007 - and to get to 150 will likely be too big a big jump.

Don't tell me to just run whoever up from the minors either. Constantly moving players up and down is not productive for their long-term development, IMO. Move Hurley and others to the majors when they are ready (Hurley, hopefully at the ASB), and then COMMIT to them through their struggles.

1. 5 years $90 million. $18 million a year for an aging CF. Apparently the Angels think Hunter makes those acrobatic catches just about every day. A trade is coming, though. That's the really scary part.

2. There are rumors going around that the Rangers are interested in Mets OF prospect Carlos Gomez as well (per Ken Rosenthal). It'd be nice to trade for him but I'd rather go with a proven player. I'd put Crisp slightly ahead of Rowand.

3. No to Guillen. Jones? Maybe. He's not going to sign a one-year deal. Absolutely not. I like the idea of Fukudome.

4. (blank)

5. Now that's just silly. Sure. I would. St Louis would not. Jim Edmonds has only one year left on his contract (for $8 million). Fans love him in St. Louis. And he's a 10/5 player.

1. The west coast Yankees will have Hunter playing between Vlad Guerrero and Garret Anderson with GMJ (maybe move GMJ to rightfield and have Vlad as fulltime DH)somewhere out there too. OUCH! We probably haven't heard the last of them this offseason. I can see them making more trades.
2. I hope to see Aaron Rowand signed. After that, I can't see much of an upgrade in Coco Crisp. Mike Cameron is an aging National Leaguer who is suspended for the first 25 games. No, too many negatives. Patterson, not any improvement over what we've got.

3. Jones had an off year. Give him an incentive laden contract and see if he can get back to form. The Rangers have a huge need for some pop in their line-up, maybe he can provide that. His downside also is that he's spent his entire career in the NL. Not sure he can make the adjustment successfully. Guillen sounds interesting.

4. **** Williams, Whitey Herzog, in that order. I wouldn't put Billy Martin in the HOF because of character issues. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to bother too many people.

5. I would make that trade. I don't think the Cardinals want to take on the contract that he hasn't earned. We would probably have to help pay him while he played there.

1. I would have liked to have seen Torii in a Rangers uniform. But not for the price the Angels paid. It will be interesting to see what other moves the Angels make this offseason now that they seem to have a surplus of outfielders. Then again, the Rangers had this issue two years ago and now suddenly seem to be in a defecit.

2. No on Cameron. Eh on Rowand. Maybe on Crisp (but only in a deal that makes sense). Maybe on Patterson (I found his younger brother more impressive than him...too bad he's not an outfielder).

3. Ditto on what EMC said.

4. Tough call. I'll have to think on that one.

5. Sure. Send Padilla back to the NL where he can find out how good it feels to get hit by pitches instead of letting his teammates take the hit.

http://diamondgirl.mlblogs.com

5. I'm with briant77 on this. Why trade Padilla when his value is the lowest? It's not as if he's always been a terrible pitcher. At times he's been well above average. A little patience, and we'll get a good prospect or two out of him, at the least. I do love the idea of eventually sending him to the National League, where he'd only survive about two games sailing balls at hitters' heads.

1. The Rangers came up short? What's new?
2. Rowand is the only option, but I'm not holding my breath.

3. Of course, of course

4. I was born in 1981

5. Any trade involving Padilla is ok by me.

1. Did not want him for the money.
2. We should get Andruw Jones for two years at $15 million a year.

3. No Guillen, yes Andruw Jones. I bet we could spin him for some great prospects if he bounces back and we have him for two years.

4. Whitey

5. Padilla for Sexson. Yes, he cost a ton, but he has pop and that might be the only way to get rid of Padilla.

1. I wish he would have signed outside our division, but while it was yet another example of how bad our reputation is with the superstars of the league, I'm actually somewhat relieved that we won't be the ones stuck with him and his 90 million dollar contract. Don't get me wrong, he is probaably going to be very good for the Angels for the next 2-3 years... but beyond that, I will be suprised if he isn't a huge liability to their payroll.

2. Rowand should be option #1, and Andruw Jones option #2. Rowand was the guy we should have been loking at all along - he can do just about everything Torri Hunter could have done, and at a better price. Also, I definitely think Andruw Jones is still a viable option: he may have hit .222, but he still cranked out something like 26 homers and 94 RBI. That's dang good production for a guy that hit .222.

But if we cannot sign either of those two, we'd be better off sticking with Marlon Byrd or David Murphy. Cameron, Crisp, Patterson - none of those guys are an improvement over Byrd or Murphy.

3. Not Guillen, but as for Andruw, see #2 above.

4. No comment - that was before my time.

5. My first thought is, of course, **** yeah, I'd do anything to get rid of Padilla.

But from a practical standpoint... Edmonds is old and gets hurt way too much. The only way I would make that trade would be if Kenny Rogers was going to sign here, and we needed to imperitavely dump Padilla fromt he roatation to make room - but that's not going to happen. So no, I wouldn't trade Padilla for Edmonds. Maybe for Sexson (maybe) but not for Edmonds.

1) Tori did us a favor, by pimp slapping Hicks. Don't believe a word Hicks said, Tori would have signed with the Angels for the same amount of money the Rangers offered. Lets see he gets to play for a good organization with a World Series with a ton of talent. What would you do? Beware Tejada is coming. Would we do 4 years and 44 million for Matthews?
2) Sign Guillen for 2 years and play Murphy and Byrd out there in CF. Say no to Jones Arlington, Andruw that is, not Jerry.

3) Guillen is worth a try, who cares what his clubhouse issues are the guy has produced. I am for us signing him and playing the guy. We desparately need a right handed power hitting outfielder. No more than 2 years though.

4) Whitey, Williams and Martin. Character issues. Martin was a drunk lets face it. But the bottom line is the guy could manage his donkey off. The guy goes in just on the drama in New York alone. Have people forgotten what he did in Minnesota, Detroit, Texas, Oakland and N.Y.? Whitey should be an advisor to us. What a GM and a Manager. He should have won in KC, got robbed of one in 1985. Hey Denkinger, that Royal was out.

5) I would trade Padilla to any team that would take him and his salary. I don't care if he wins 20 games next year. How about Beantown or NY. Everyone needs pitching. But alas we shall sell no wine before its time. So wait til the all-star break and deal Padilla.

It is time to stop kidding the fans with all of these free agent courtings. No player worth anything will ever sign with the Rangers for reasonable money until they see a future that includes the playoffs. The time to pursue top shelf free agents was following the 87 wins of a few years ago. The Rangers must develop what they have and make themselves attractive.

Alleluia, again, Bryant77, and lonestar 9, for stopping the witch hunt!

Doesn't anyone see irony in the simultaneous willingness to burn Padilla at the stake and dump him for his temper...

and yet to forgive Kenny Rogers, and welcome him and his?

We should stop romanticizing, and trade Padilla higher later (at the ASB?)-- not for his temper, but for the fact that we're rebuilding.

-- Which 'minds me...only DWI-DRE has responded; help me out:

Laird & MY for Crisp (or Ellsbury) and Lester.

1) Would Boston do it?

2) Would you (keeping in mind that MY's contract will be harder to get around in '11, '12 and '13 than Padilla's will be in '08 & '09)

1) The Angels wanted one of the "Best Players Available" via Free Agency, and they got him. Didn't need a CF, but, hey, they are only upgrading their team overall by increasing the talent. I think it had NOTHING to do with depriving a Division rival of a quality player.

2) Why must we froth in the mouth about CF? Why not let Byrd, Murphy, or whoever else, and trade for someone of the quality of a Bobby Abreu or Carlos Beltran....or whoever. I think we shouldn't pour money down the CF hole. Okay, Torii is not available any longer. So what? Let's upgrade other areas--say, the corner outfield spots, THAT is where our power outage is. I'd say re-focus our intent on upgrading a postion by looking to the trade route, not just throwing money at a Rowand, etc. With no Tex, no Sammy, WHO is going to drive in runs on this team? THAT is the question. Forget worrying about the CF postion--upgrade our offense at the outfield corners.

3) Andruw Jones would be of some interest. . .if he wants a low base/high incentive reward-type contract.

4) All three. Each had two different types of teams, different approaches, and were successful in their stints. I'd give all three entry to the Hall.

5) I wouldn't trade a power pitcher (No matter how much of a lughead Padilla is sometimes), for an aging, short/stopgap choice for Centerfield. Please JD, let Byrd or Murphy play the huge centerfield here, steal some bases, throw to the correct bases, move runners, and flag the ball down. Please focus Tom Hicks' non-Soccer, non-Hockey resources into upgrading our corner outfield/and First Base power postions.

This is the only franchise I know that has been rebuilding for 32 of it's 36 year existance? Sure trade M Young, one of only 2 Rangers to hit over 300 last year, why not. Finishing 20th in the bigs might have had a bit to do with that **** we saw last year

1. He went for the winning. Not much you can do.

2. Cameron

3. Both. If Guillen isnt on the Mitchell Report, and if Andruw takes 2-3 years at 10 per. If not Andruw can wait and go to arbitration with Atlanta.

4. Martin

5. St Louis wouldn't do that without massive cash coming back. Rolen for Padilla is much more likely with StL throwing cash in. I still wouldn't do either.

1. Hicks and Daniels could probably learn a thing or two from the Hunter situation. Imparticular, Hicks should probably note that his charming personality and fancy steak dinners are a non-factor when it comes to bringing in major league talent. Hunter was never going to sign here, just like Zito was never going to sign here. However, in this case, I am thankful for the ineptitude of the Ranger Brass. Hunter is a nice complimentary piece for a winning franchise, but he's not worth Carlos Beltran money...not by a longshot.
2. If I must choose, I would go with Crisp, but only if the Rangers can avoid giving up any top prospects.

3. Jones is going to end up making a lot of teams look foolish for ignoring him this winter. I wish someone could explain to me what makes a guy like Rowand, who has had one good season during his career, more attractive than a guy who has been lights out his entire career up to this season. I'm having GMJ flashbacks here. If I'm putting my money up for one of these anomalies, I'm taking Jones every time. The Rangers should at least explore a 3 or 4 year deal. As for Guillen, 8 teams in 9 years tells me there's something wrong with that guy. Let him sign elsewhere.

4. Couldn't tell you

5. I would trade Padilla for a sack of potatoes and a wad of used chewing gum if somebody offered.

1. Tori took a long dispassionate look at the Rangers organization and decided to play elsewhere. I don't think that it was just the money. Can you blame the guy for wanting to drink some October champagne?

2. If the Rangers are rebuilding, why worry about any of these guys? Lets look at what we already have and try to add a stud prospect via trade. While we are on that subject, why is everybody so anxious to get rid of Laird? He's a great defensive catcher. Washington put a hex on him last spring when he told Laird to forget about hitting and concentrate on catching. He was a decent hitter before that. But, he did exactly as told and not we want to dump him. Give him a break Wash, tell him it's OK to think about hitting now.

3. Jones and Guillen are both great players but they are not good fits for the money they will command.

4. Williams first, then Herzog, then Martin.

5. I've got to agree with briant77, don't try to move Padilla until the All Star Break. This is not a case of addition by subtraction. Starting pitching is still our glaring need and Padilla can be brilliant when he so chooses.

GREAT comment on the Rogers-Padilla comparison, Eight(9). I'm jealous that I didn't come up with that. Just goes to show what we were discussing a few days ago - that we as fans are inconsistent.

As for the trade you proposed, I believe that (1) yes, the Sox would do it, and (2) I would too, if the Sox added a AA SP with an arm.

My only hesitation in doing the trade is seeing what teams like the Marlins may get for a guy like Miguel Cabrera. That being 3 or 4 major league-ready players. While MY does not quite have the same value as Cabrera, I would like to think his value is close, even with the monster contract. I do the trade for pitching, and because the team is not going to win in 2008-9, we need to position ourselves better for 2010.

I will close with another comment on pitching. The Rangers had one pitcher throw over 150 innings in 2007, and the second most were thrown by a guy who isn't even going to be in the rotation next year (KLoe). The teams we are chasing, teams like Cleve, Anaheim, and Boston each had FOUR throw for at least 150. Our offense will be bad next season, but it is still about pitching, and the Rangers still need some more arms. Sign Jason Jennings, a Texas guy who pitched at Baylor, and might actually come here!

I love Mike Young, but people severely over state his value. Cabrera has a 143 ops+ for his 4 year career and he turns 25 in April. Young's career best is 131. 03-07 are Young's 200 hit seasons and his OPS+ for those years are 97 109 131 108 and 107. That averages out to 110 a year which equates to the down year Tejada had last year. He's a nice player for ****, but he's massively overpaid, and the package Florida gets for Cabrera should have virtually nothing to do with a potential return for Young. They aren't in the same league.

I'm shocked that after years of reading hundreds of "Michael Young is underrated" articles, people are starting to say he's overpaid. Especially when he'll only make $5 million next year. Mike Young was rated higher than Tejada, Jeter, and A-Rod according AL Elias Rankings. His rating (89.286) was higher than Miguel Cabrera's (84.571) as well. Don't get me wrong. He's not better than A-Rod and Cabrera (at least I don't think so) but neither are they light years better than Young. Sure, everybody thought he was underrated when he was making 2/5s (in four 200-hit seasons) of what A-Rod made in one year.

Anyway, any Michael Young trade discussion it's just moot at this point since Young has full no-trade clause. But it won't be the last time I read someone calling Young overpaid (or massively overpaid). Especially with the volatile whinny nature of some so-called fans who post here.

Not that I'm calling you one j lile but at least get your facts right. It can be reasonably argued that Michael Young's production won't justify his $16 million/year contract (which begins in 09) but yet again, who does these days? He'll still be making less than the GROSSLY OVERRATED Derek Jeter (who is also 2 years older than Young).

No trade clauses, just give Mike Young the option of dictating what team he will go to. They can be bought out, contracts can be re-negotiated, years can be added to expedite an exit from ****. At this point, i doubt if Mike would reject a trade to any organization. I know he likes it here, but is starting to see that he is in a no-win situation. Ha Ha, get it. Well maybe 50 percent wins if we are lucky. 50 percent won't get you that Champagne in October unless you are drinking it at hope belying the fact that you aren't getting any younger and you are wasting your talent for money alone. I know we are going to start seeing his frustration level rising and he will start talking more. Something that Hicks and Company do not like, especially when it is the truth and strikes a chord. Thought it was kind of funny that it is being mentioned as him being a third baseman though or outfielder. His future is second base, and he will be playing it on the west coast soon enough. Wait and see. Probably by 2009. Winning franchises won't let Mike Young's contract stand in the way of adding a player of his magnitude. If he stays healthy he is going to have 3000 + hits. Boy did Toronto blow that deal.

8gleasons:

Good point about Padilla. I hate the guy just as much as anyone, if not more, but the fact is, we're stuck with him until a better option comes along (or is is ready in the minors) and his value on the trade market is higher. I've come to realize this, even though I know in the past I've been one of the leading proponents of axeing him.

As for your MY/Laird to Boston deal for Lester/Crisp, I do like that idea - but I'm not sure if Boston would go for it. Julio Lugo seems to be locked in at short for those guys, and they'd be foolish to give away Lester. But if they did, as Briant77 mentioned, we would definitely want at least one more high-level AA pitching prospect added to any deal like that that included MY, maybe more. But if he does have that no-trade clause riega mentioned, he's not going anywhere.

BTW, Briant - you did nail it about needing more pitching - but I'm still not convinced Jason Jennings is the awnswer. He had a pretty rough year last year - I've got feeling adding him to the rotation would be like having two Padillas.

I personally think we're better off developing our young pitchers next year, and saving our sheckles for the FA market in 2008 - which should be a much better pitching market than this one.

Some of the details on Michael Young's no-trade clause per mlb4u.com:
-he receives a complete NO-TRADE clause from 2007 thru 2009

-he receives a limited NO-TRADE clause in 2010 thru February 2011 that allows him to list of 21 clubs to which he can not be traded to without his written consent

- in March 2011, he retains a full no-trade clause as a 10-and-5 player

I know it's early but here are some of the names in next year's FA pitching market:

- a bunch of dinosaurs (Tom Glavine, Randy Johnson, Jamie Moyer, Orlando Hernandez,...ahem... Greg Maddux)

-Oliver Perez, CC Sabathia, Mark Mulder, Johan Santana (if he's not traded)

-AJ Burnett, Paul Byrd, Jon Garland, Esteban Loaiza, Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Ben Sheets.

A lot better than Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse.

Oh wait! I forgot Chan Ho Park

Thanks, y'all.

Doesn't the no-trade clause just mean MY would have to WANT the trade?

When he sees that the Rangers have tried to take the (ill-advised) Torii-ish shortcut to the playoffs, and yet those who might have helped were unwilling to come here, requiring that we go without a doubt into REBUILDING mode...

DWI-DRE's right, he'd be on board if it were to a contender, such as Boston or the Mets.

Riega,

Thanks for the contract breakdown. The irony is that he is only "tradable" in 2010, the ONE YEAR when our youth might be mature enough and our elders might not be too old.

It would be hard to convince any of us to trade him then, if we're competing for first place at the trade deadline.

And yet, after that year he's back in control of his status as our savvy but low OPS DH.

I love the fact that even his outs are productive. They still move runners.

But we've got to find a deal that he can't refuse, and I think we should start with Boston.

Let Boston be strong with the Angels for 3 years, and then turn ancient when we come of age!

p.s. If we could extend Ben Sheets' contract, I'm all for dealing with Milwaukee again.

For anyone who still bemoans the Carlos Lee deal, check out Jamey Newberg's summary: They're left with only Kevin Mench & Laynce Nix (both 2nd stringers), and we with Cruz (a monster this Winter in the Dominican), Michael Main and Julio Borbon.

I'll take it.

1. Hunter is a fine outfielder but by the end of his contract the angels may regret signing him with all of those other players in the outfield getting old too. Short term good five years from now who knows
2. I think Aaron Rowand is the guy who they should have targeted first in my opinion. If you can't get Rowand i would trade for Coco Crisp, Carl Crawford or try and sign that Fukedome guy from Japan.

3. I like Andruw Jones much better than Jose Guillen. I don't know if either really fit in here but I am more willing to take a chance on Andruw Jones than i am Jose Guillen.

4. Whitey Herzog is a hall-of-fame manager to me Billy Martin is on the doorstep and **** Williams honestly i don't know much about him.

5. Jimmy Edmonds, I have always liked Edmonds from a far I think I would trade Padilla for him. He may not have the range he did years ago but he is still a quality defensive outfield where ever he would play here. And if he had lost his defensive abiltity he can still hit at this ballpark. I know he isn't a longer term answer at all but you get rid of Padilla and you are a year closer to getting one the kids up here from the minors.

All I know is that the Rangers need to get to work I will be disapponited again if they don't get somebody in here that will make an impact on this team.