Monday Morning Manager...at the Break

1. I am of the opinion that of the four teams in the division, three of them (Angels, Mariners and Rangers) could win the division – it’s not a strong division and all three contending teams have weakness that the other division rivals seem to exploit. For the Rangers to win they will need a stronger bullpen and more consistent offense. Can they do it? Only time will tell.

2. I think the bullpen is the priority. The offense has been inconsistent, but in my never humble opinion, that’s something that can right itself as the younger players get more experience and Josh Hamilton gets into a groove (we hope). The change I would make: bring up Julio Borbon, put him at the top of the lineup –the Rangers have already been pretty successful with that kind of move (See Elvis Andrus) why not do the same with Borbon? His defense is excellent (and would allow Josh Hamilton to move to RF and maybe he won't run into as many walls. That would allow moving Ian Kinsler down in the lineup– I bet he’ll be more productive.

3. Waste of time, money and players. Halladay doesn’t pitch well at the Ballpark – and if that trend continues – he won’t be much help. The other question is – can the Rangers afford him? Can they take on that much extra salary right now? And if Tom Hicks can’t sell the team – it seems very unlikely they’d sign him to a contract extension.

4. Julio Borbon – don’t really want to see Neftali Feliz – but have a feeling that is inevitable.

5. Most Valuable Players: The starting pitching staff – not doubt they’ve been the beneficiary of the improved defense – however they’ve remained consistently solid and won a few games that might not have in the past - in spite of the roller coaster offense.

Where’s Johnny?

1. The division is winnable. I think it's going to take being 14 games over 500 to do it....We're almost there.
2. Not to sound like D'god but in a way he was right. His rant was that we needed 2 more starting pitchers to win it.. I think that with Harrison on the shelf maybe it's only one. The bullpen isn't bad...maybe I'd change out one guy...but we just haven't scored a lot of runs when the bullpen has hiccups.
3. I don't think we need a rent a player. I don't know if you guys read Newburg but the kind of people he's talking about us giving up to get Halliday is just plain no good baseball. It would be undoing the whole "essence" oof the benefit we got from the Texeria deal.
4. Hinckley and Hernandez...always with the pitching for me,
5. Mike Young is always our hoss but you have to look at Feldman who has really emerged as our best starter.

Last but not least lets remember that this is major league baseball and the purpose is to win a pennant no some hobby league where we develop players for the future.

1. They can catch the Angels and hold off the Mariners if they get consistency from the bullpen and offense and continued mediocrity from the rotation.

2. To contend for a division title, they've got what they need. For a World Series, the rotation would need a serious upgrade.

3. He's an uncertainty because he holds a no-trade clause and I personally don't want to give up the high end talent it's going to take to get him knowing it's only through 2010. If there were one more year on his contract or he were willing to sign an extension it would change my mind, but I'm not in favor of selling out the farm for the short term.

4. Orlando Hernandez, Neftali Feliz, Chris Davis, Julio Borbon and AJ Murray, in that order.

5. Non All-Star, Kevin Milwood. He's given this club lots of quality innings that just weren't there last season. Honorable mention to Nelson Cruz' breakout season and Michael Young, who it turns out, may still have a little left in the tank, when he's not playing with 2 broken fingers.

1. I think the Rangers can win the division. The Rangers sit at 48 wins right now, and I think 45 wins in the second half is reasonable. We would sit at 93 wins...which should be enough to win the West

2. Bullpen in priority #1.

3. "Doc" is a waste of time. Why sell the farm for a rental?

4. "El Duque" and Neftali Feliz

5. Kevin Millwood by a landslide. Millwood has been consistently good, and has 130 IP..which leads the league. Let's hope that the last two starts are a sign of trouble.

1. They can win this division. It won't be easy, especially looking at their schedule the next 2 weeks and the Angels schedule. But I believe it is possible.

2. We need one starting pitcher. The bullpen has not blown many games. Second would be bullpen.

3. I would go for Halliday, but would need a 2 year extension.

4. Neftali Feliz is going to become the 7th inning man. Just watch. We will be going Feliz, Wilson, Frankie. That is some gas. Throw in a Jennings once in a while. Chris Davis will be back and improved also. Sorry Justin Smoak, but what you are doing in OKC is probably upping Chris' confidence.

5. Rangers MVP first half has got to be Millwood. I hear those saying MY, but look at his numbers with RISP.

1. The Rangers can win, and I’m not convinced that they really need to add anything on the trade market. I think if the hitters carry the hitting instruction from BP to the game, and stop swinging for the fences a la Kinsler and, to a certain extent, Hamilton, their run production goes up, which will in turn put less pressure on the pitching staff to feel like they have to go out and throw a four hit shutout every game.

Hamilton has not hit (or played) much this year, and if he gets going the rest of the order will feed off him. So much of the offense this year is built around the success or failure of the middle of the order. And with Josh right in the middle of the lineup, the second half is going to go the way he goes. No pressure.

2. Feeding of my answer in #1, I would say that the batting order is as solid as it gets. The pitching is another question all together. After Millwood and Feldman, what do the Rangers really have? Padilla (lately) has been an enigma. McCarthy is probably done for the season. Holland has been OK, but is not really there yet and Hunter has been good, but I keep waiting for the other boot (cleat?) to fall and the ugly resultant implosion. I don’t know. I think they need one of each, but at what cost? Maybe try to negotiate with San Fran regarding Jonathan Sanchez (and no because he threw a no-hitter the other day either) or a package to Pittsburgh for Zach Duke.

3. Doesn’t it kind of depend on what happens with Tom Hicks and the inevitable sale of the team? I mean, to take on Halladay’s contract is a serious consideration given the team’s financial situation. That together with the fact that Halladay will be a free agent after the 2010 season, I’m sure the front office would want to have an extension in place before any trade is made. Nevertheless, it’s definitely realistic; they have the chips to trade. Halladay’s a proven winner but that will have to be weighed against how much of the future it will cost to get him.

4. Most people are probably going to say Justin Smoak (depending on if Blalock is dealt) or Neftali Feliz (if it gets really bad), but I don’t think there is anyone in the minors who is going to be the Rangers’ Messiah this season. The team has all the tools to win; it’s just that none of the players on the big league squad have hit their strides individually or as a team.

5. I think without a doubt, Kevin Millwood. He came into the season in waaaaay better shape than the last couple seasons and seemed committed to the “plan.” His record doesn’t reflect how good he has been, but if you look at his home ERA, a place where ERAs are seldom below 5, Millwood’s home ERA is 2.49. That’s one helluva first half.

1. Offense needs to be more consistent and the continued success of the rotation........A fifth starter would be nice. Maybe it's Harrison......Holland doesnt appear to be ready, McCarthy is out, and Nippert hasnt looked like more than a long reliever.

2. Bullpen can be solved from within........Dont see the RH bat on the farm.......Wondering what position this RH bat would play though.....1B? Starting pitching wont come cheap and would not want to trade 3 or 4 for 1 for a short term guy (Halladay comes to mind).

3. Fairly sure it would be a waste.....Bet he wouldnt approve a trade here anyway.

4. Does Davis count? Feliz in the bullpen shortly, I bet. Maybe AJ Murray 3rd.......Not anxious to see El Duque. Hasnt pitched since '07 and career ERA at TBiA is almost 6.....Would rather continue with young guys.

5. Feldman

1. Yes, the Rangers can catch the Angels, anything is possible, but to be realistic I doubt that is gonna happen. It's be fun the first half but the bullpen must get stronger and the offense back on track. If that happens, yes, the Rangers have a chance. If not.......Angels-Mariners-Rangers.
2. I don't see the Rangers upgrading the starting rotation or the bullpen before the trade deadline. They need at least one additonal pitcher in the starting rotation. Hunter has been the best addition to the starting rotation. Holland is not ready nor is Nippert and the reason that they are there is the fact that they have no one else. Let'em pitch and get the experience for next year.
3. No, based on all three.....
4. Maybe Burbon, but no one in the Minor League will make a big impact on the teams performance. They just need to improve on what they have this year.
5. Feldman

1. I think they can and I'm on the fence as to how they should try. I believe that they have the pieces in place but they just haven't fired on all cylinders yet. Leaves room for a peak at the right time. If a reasonable trade is available that doesn't cost us the farm and helps more than a couple of months, I'm for it.

2. Bullpen help. Where would you put a right handed bat? I like the Borbon propositions made above.

3. I think the Halladay price will be way too high. Don't sell the farm, but if something reasonable is done okay.

4. Borbon and Feliz (in the pen).

5. 1st half MVP...Scooter Feldman! He has been glue in this pitching staff. Millwood is finally doing what he was signed to do although years late.

***I believe we fans should be ready to see the trade of some young players that we have wrapped hope around. If that happens, prepare to see those young guys blossom on other teams and cross your fingers that the return is even and helps our cause. Realistically, a trade is likely to occur soon. As long as it helps the team, I'm for it. I agree with Fredr. This is not a developmental team. It is a major league team and it may have a chance to catch lightning in a bottle. But, there is no need to panic and empty the reserves.

Dear Baseball Santa:

All I want for the second half of the season is the see the Rangers batters take some pitches and work the count. It sure worked well earlier in the season and I don't know why they have gotten away from it. If they don't, the pitchers know how to get them and have an easier time doing it. Please take some pitches!

Trade Derick Lowe and Casey Kotchman from the Braves for Nelson Cruz?

1. Yes, they absolutely can. I think it will come down to which team stays healthiest down the stretch. We need Hamilton to start producing, Millwood/Padilla/Feldman to stay healthy, and Francisco stay off the DL. Similarly, the Angels need to get Hunter and Vlad back in the lineup and Santana to find his groove. I think the division is wide open.

2. Starting pitching, absolutely. Hunter has found lightening in a bottle, but his minor league numbers don't suggest that he is going to keep it up. Similarly, Millwood and Feldman will regress a tad in the second half. We need one more starter. Additionally, I feel fairly confident that Hamilton can give the lineup a boost and Feliz can provide the right-handed, late-inning reliever this team desperately needs. At the end of the day, Texas needs to add a Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, or Carl Pavano.

3. Obviously Texas has to explore the notion of trading for Roy Halladay. But, I just would not be willing to give up Andrus, Smoak, or Holland to get him. I think some team, like Philadelphia, will be willing to part ways with a Kyle Drabek type prospect and will acquire Halladay. I'm also not sure he'd waive his no-trade clause to come to Texas. I think we are better off with 6 years of Holland, Andrus or Smoak than 1.5 years of Halladay. Now if he could be acquired for a package centered around Feliz, I would do it.

4. Of players current in the minors, I'd say Neftali Feliz. In the end, though, I think that Holland will have the most impact on this team down the stretch out of our top young prospects. I think he will establish himself in the rotation in the second half and will win about 10 games this year.

5. Nelson Cruz, no doubt. He has been one of the best defensive players in all of baseball this year according to most advanced metrics. He has a great combo of power, defense, and speed. He has been critical to keep this team afloat during the offensive struggles.