Looking beyond CLee - Regardless of outcome. TR Sullivan reports Rangers should know tonight where they stand.

CLee will have an affect, but regarding SPs... let's assume the Rangers add a SP.

From what I understand, some names mentioned:

Garza (TB): Three full seasons and 26.
2008: 30 GS / 3.70 / 1.24 WHIP / 184.0 IP / 128 SO
2009: 32 GS / 3.95 / 1.26 WHIP / 203.0 IP / 189 SO
2010: 32 GS / 3.91 / 1.25 WHIP / 204.2 IP / 150 SO
Arb-2 after 2011.

Josh Johnson (FL): Three-Plus full seasons and 26.
2009: 33 GS / 3.23 / 1.159 WHIP / 209.0 IP / 191 SO
2010: 28 GS / 2.30 / 1.105 WHIP / 183.2 IP / 186 SO
$7.75M, $13.7M, $13.7M next 3 seasons.

Greinke (KC): Four-Plus full seasons and 26.
2009: 33 GS / 2.16 / 1.073 WHIP / 229.1 IP / 242 SO
2010: 33 GS / 4.17 / 1.245 WHIP / 220.0 IP / 181 SO
$13.5M for each of next 2 seasons.

Are these the 3 names (and only names) to chase?!

What do they cost? All are under contract for 2 seasons (JJ 3seasons).

My take - They'd be incredibly less expensive, as you move down the 3.

Garza, IMO, would definitely include Martin Perez and Profar, plus.
-- Perez reloads Garza, Chris Davis replaces Carlos Pena and Profar replaces Crawford. Would Font be included?!
Josh Johnson - Not sure what to think, here. Likely Perez... plus Profar or Sardinas, plus Holland?!
Greinke, IMO, would should be able to land him for 3 of the 4: Hunter, Holland, Sardinas, Profar.

Nolasco would be a nice low-rent option, but I'd just assume go with Holland/Hunter.

oops...

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Garza, IMO, would definitely include Martin Perez and Profar, plus.
-- Perez reloads Garza, Chris Davis replaces Carlos Pena and Profar replaces Crawford. Would Font be included?!

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should read:

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Garza, IMO, would definitely include Martin Perez and Beltre, plus.
-- Perez reloads Garza, Chris Davis replaces Carlos Pena and Beltre replaces Crawford. Would Font be included?!

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It would take half the minor league system to get Johnson away from florida

I disagree. I think Greinke costs the most, followed by Johnson and then Garza. I think Garza is a #2 and Greinke/Johnson clearly have #1 ability.

I think it might take Holland, Perez, Beltre, Profar. MAYBE Scheppers instead of Perez OR Sardinas instead of Profar, possibly Hunter instead of Holland. That would be the biggest package of top prospects for a player since the Teixeira deal. I still think I'd do that package if it could be Scheppers instead of Perez. I don't think I could stomach dealing the 4 I mentioned, that's kinda ridiculous.

Per Newberg, Johnson is more likely to be available midseason or after 2011. I think he'd cost roughly the same as Johnson.

Garza would cost a little less than both.

Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to see Johnson in a Rangers uni....

I think Johnson would cost the most, but he is the guy I would rather overpay for. Unlike Greinke, he does not have the potential baggage. I brought his name up based on what KC was asking for Zach, if you throw in another decent prospect, I bet FLA would listen, and IMHO would be better in the long run.

For Garza...if we could give up Scheppers, Davis, Beltre, Font...I'm in. Not if Perez had tobe included.

Agree on Johnson>Greinke in terms of want. How would Greinke deal with the Yankees/Sox/whomever in a sold out, noisy stadium in the playoffs? Or a late September Angels series with playoff implications at stake? I'd rather have Johnson, just not sure if he's available yet.

anyone have interest in Kevin Slowey? I would love to get him to Texas, even with the injury concnern...and it sounds like Minn would consider moving him.

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According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Twins would consider trading Kevin Slowey, especially if the are able to re-sign Carl Pavano.
The Twins also heard some trade inquiries about Francisco Liriano, but a team official said they can't imagine moving him. Slowey is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, so the Twins could attempt to move him soon before he gets expensive. The 26-year-old right-hander went 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA over 30 games (28 starts) this past season and was bothered by elbow and triceps injuries.

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