Tennessee Waltz, Day 3...a pitching-rich franchise

Bring on that young pitching. After another year of promotions and growth from these guys, people will be banging down our door to get it.

Well said, TR. The pitching in the lower levels is undoubtedly improving, but it is still 2 years away. Then after two years these guys will be rookies, with the associated learning curve. This is why I contend that it is premature to think this team competes for the division in 2009 or 2010 without additional work to get more near-ready prospects. I don't mean to sound negative, I'm just trying to be realistic here.

I really like what Jim Bowden (Nationals) is doing so far at the meetings. He's acquired a starting OF (Milledge) from the Mets and a SP from the Yankees at very little cost. They haven't been big deals, but they have been improvements to the roster with some upside.

The Rangers need to get on with clearing roster spots for Jason Jennings, Eric Gagne, and for a Rule 5 draft pick - more pitching talent, anyone?

Let's get some return in a trade on Wes Littleton or F Francisco to clear up a spot in the bullpen for another young arm in the Rule 5 draft that doesn't cost draft picks or any of our existing talent.

Here is what I don't understand. The Angels are only getting better and if they get Cabrera then they will be downright scary. You would think the response from other AL West clubs would be to try and also improve. Yet all we hear is that the Rangers are going to be pretty much inactive, the A's are looking at trading cheap good young pitchers, and the Mariners are doing who knows what. I know that if Oakland trades Haren and Blanton then they will get some young talented players, but those players probably won't put them into contention until 2009 just like the Rangers won't be in contention again until '09 or '10. It's as if the AL West clubs are handing over the division and a playoff spot and wrapping it up as a gift and giving it to the Angels. If Oakland trades Haren and Blanton for young prospects then I will be even more concerned for the Rangers because then they will be competing in a pretty competitive division. Maybe things would be different if there was anything on the market at a reasonable price for the Rangers, but there isn't anything there and right now the right path seems to stay the path of development. I wish we were a little more proactive though like Tampa Bay or Washington.

You're right sky - look at who is getting better for 2008 - the Red Sox and Angels. Bad news for the rest of the league, at least for teams that are going to be competitive. The bar is getting raised, and teams that are sitting idly by are losing ground, hoping that there is a cycle that comes back around in their favor someday.

With what the Twins are getting for one year of Santana and what the A's could get for three years of Haren (or the Orioles could get for Bedard), I personally don't understand why JD doesn't let slip that Kevin Millwood could be had for the right deal in this market - congrats to the A's for identifying a market opportunity and attempting to capitalize on it with Haren. A month ago he wasn't available. Offer to pay part of Millwood's salary and let someone give us their farm system - quality, not quantity. I'd even make the highly prized but very brittle Kason Gabbard available as well, if it got us a long-term position player with power. These are opportunities to get the team an ACE. AN ACE. You remember, something we haven't had since Nolan Ryan. Why spend that money on Ben Broussard or Mike Cameron? It doesn't help us win in the short term, and it doesn't do anything for us long term. These guys won't even produce enough to get us draft picks when they walk as FAs. I just don't understand.

It is a sellers market. Why aren't we selling? Put that Arod money to work for the team by paying most of Cat's salary before trading him, and continue down the list of vets from there.

But, if we're not going to sell, look at the Nationals, who are doing the little things to improve themselves for the long term.

Have the Rangers made an offer to Mike Lamb yet?

Disgusting.

Man, you guys complain when JD makes trades, then you complain when he doesn't.

Do you think that much money for Torii Hunter is a good deal for the Rangers? I certainly don't.

You've got a bunch of trade-worthy players on the team that aren't worth as much this winter as they will be at the All-Star break.

What's the problem with maximizing trade value?

If Cat, Milwood, Padilla, etc. get it going early, they'll be worth so much more at mid-season. If Milwood or Padilla repeat last season, then their value will stay the same. They can't start the season any worst than they did last year.

Let's maximize trade value and get some young talent on the verge, whilst dealing our vets to contenders.

Win-Win.

I disagree with you Rangersfan. I think right now teams are getting more for players because like Briant identified, it's a sellers market. Teams do get desperate at the trade deadline, but the Rangers don't have any immediate impact players. What the Rangers do have is a great farm system. I'm not saying at all that the Rangers need to go off of their plan and trade away the farm for a few players that will add a couple wins here and there. The Rangers are more than a couple of players from being truly competitive. However, what I am saying is that when guys like Haren, Blanton, Bedard are out there then we should at least be making a push to get them. These are good... ok GREAT young pitchers that are locked up for a couple of years. I like hearing that JD is at least making phone calls on these high caliber players and I even like the idea of taking a chance on Prior if the price isn't to high. We need to at least upgrade a little on what we have because right now we don't even have a first baseman. We have no power what-so-ever in our lineup, and unless we make a couple of trades or sign a few people then this is what it looks like for the next 2 years.

What a nice dilemma, finally having several stout young arms. I'm waiting to see how long it takes for JD to trade Hurley, Volquez and Beavan to get someone like Sean Casey. EGADS!!! Hang on to the young pitching. NO QUICK FIXES! It is the present ownership which has us in this present FIX. Let's not do the rebuilding Half-***ed. Hicks should decide if he wants to be a soccer owner, a hockey owner or a baseball owner. We realize he isn't a baseball owner. He has money, but that's about it. I MUCH prefer a Major League team of veterans with one or two rookies plugged in every year or so, rather than a whole team of kids who will leave the loyal fanbase always disappointed and losing faith. Hicks: Either rebuild the right way, or nothing. I don't want Sean Casey and Eddie Guadardo. Let the young guys have their shots. I guess the other bloggers here might be surprised at me saying that, but if we gotta, we gotta. Just be ready for perpetually gearing up for "next year". Trouble is, like "Tomorrow", Next Year never comes. The minute the season starts, the refrain is, "We'll get 'em next year." I, frankly, am sick and tired of it. Now for the good news: tick-tick-tick. Still waiting for some.