I'd make every attempt to bring Fielder and Garza in.

Fielder would be huge (pun intended) in an already dominate Rangers lineup. I think Fielder, like Pujols, would thrive in an AL lineup where there is the flexibility to give him "days off" via the DH. He would eventually need to be moved to DH once his range goes much worse. I think there is a bit of a misconception that he plays bad defense - his range is below average, but most stats point to the fact that he is about average. I imagine the Rangers could afford him.

Rangers need to bring in Matt Garza (or Gio if they prefer that route). Garza is a legit #2 and nothing less. His W/L record is no indication of the caliber of pitcher he is. He spent time pitching in the best division in baseball. Yes, the Cubs are asking for a haul for Garza, but if you're the Rangers, do you really want to go into 2012 with as many question marks as they have in the starting rotation? They aren't bug question marks, but adding that extra quality arm would be huge and swing the AL West back in their favor to me. I'm not ready to depend on Holland, Feliz, Feldman and Lewis to lead them to the promised land. The Rangers still have a window of having Hamilton, Young, Cruz, Beltre and Kinsler together - I think their time is still now and salvaging a couple prospects could be the wrong decision.

Just my take on my new 2nd favorite team

[This message has been edited by Theo is a Touchdown (edited 12/9/2011 10:32p).]

What is your case for Fielder, other than Boras has put some buzz out there.

What are you willing to pay? Boras is looking for 8-9yrs and $200M.

Fortunately for the Rangers, Hicks doesn't own them any more.

That is stupid money for a player that over the 10 years will be very average. $20+M for a DH?!

Hate Hate HATE the idea of signing Fielder. Even for $10M/yr. HATE it.

Gio = Holland, Harrison, Ogando. See other thread, and his Away Splits. Feliz and Perez have a higher ceiling, and we don't need to fill a rotation spot. We need to UPGRADE... not lateral.

I like the idea of Garza, but not sure he is any better than Holland, Harrison, Ogando or Gio... What are you willing to give up for Garza/Gio?!

Remember at the ASB... The Rangers rotation looked like this:

Ogando = 2.92
Harrison = 3.04
Wilson = 3.20

Also, Holland was 3.06 after the ASB.

We went into 2011 with more question marks in the rotation than we will in 2012.

2010 we had Hunter, Feldman and Harden *Lee
2011 we lost Lee, we had CJ, and added Harrison/Holland/Ogando
2012 we lost CJ, add Feliz

I'm telling you... trust me... our rotation is fine! Don't lose/trade anything!

BTW - Many are saying that StL signing Matt Holliday to 7/$120 hurt their chances on Pujols. That they should have locked Pujols up, before signing Holliday.

If Holliday is worth $17M/yr and they will go 7 years.
Surely Pujols is worth substantially more than that, in terms of production, fan appeal and merchandising.

Josh Hamilton is a FA after 2012.
Napoli is a FA after 2012.
Nelson Cruz is a FA after 2013.

If Fielder (an outsider) is worth $20M/yr to the Rangers... surely each of those will be, especially in terms of fan backlash.

Hamilton's contract situation is very fickle...he wants a long term deal...5+...but Nolan and JD know their stuff on Josh and probably won't go more than a 3-4 years on him...he's already 30/31...same for goes for Nellie.

Napoli on the other hand...if he repeats last year (reg and hopefully postseason), the negotiations start at 4 years.

Heck...this is being pessimistic...but if the Rangers fall out of contention early next summer...Josh and Nellie could be used as tradable commodities...IT SUCKS TO THINK THAT WAY...but Nolan and JD love stockpiling prospects...I'm just saying.

[This message has been edited by Tmacsdaman (edited 12/10/2011 8:33a).]

So, in light of the player contract statuses - wasn't familiar with those other than Hamilton - maybe you try and extend Hamilton and Napoli now - maybe even Cruz. I think keeping that core together is vital for any short term success. I know Fielder is looking for minimum of 7 years, and you can't even begin to tell me that signing him (IF you have the ability) would be a bad thing if you can keep the core together.

I think the Rangers clearly showed that starting pitching was an issue in the World Series. Holland pitched well, but other than that, it was pretty mediocre. I just think you can never have too much. Of course if Feliz is able to show some top notch ability as a starter this changes everything. Maybe they hold off on acquiring a guy like Garza until they see what Feliz can offer. One thing with that move is the fact that he isn't a conditioned starter yet. I have a hard time believing a converted closer can give you a full season plus a playoff run.

[This message has been edited by Theo is a Touchdown (edited 12/10/2011 10:52a).]

rumors have the rangers possibly signing fielder and sending mitch to the rays for Davis.. at least it would be an addition to the rotation

Davis would more than likely be a #4/#5 guy

Theo

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I think the Rangers clearly showed that starting pitching was an issue in the World Series. Holland pitched well, but other than that, it was pretty mediocre.

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The stats are available online. I'm curious... Other than Harrison... which of the 3 SPs had a disappointing WS? Curious based on Stats?!

I would expect Feliz to be decent... 150-170 IP, sub 4.0 ERA, in 2012. 2013 will be solid.

Dave We don't need just an addition. We have 6 viable SPs:
CLew - Proven starter and Post Season monster.
Harrison/Holland/Ogando - Young, up and coming
Feliz - High ceiling
Feldman - Hope he has returned to expectations, after the DL.

Then, we have Neil Ramirez and Martin Perez at AAA.

Getting someone like Davis, would be a 5th/6th Starter for us. I'd rather see Feldman, than Davis.

Dallas, never said it was disappointing. I said mediocre. CJ left ALOT to be desired in the Fall Classic. He grinded through both games he pitched. He gave them a chance to win, which they pulled one out. An ace's job is to not just give your team a chance IMO. Holland was great. Lewis was OK - but nothing great. Harrison was not fun to watch. I think I'm being pretty fair in saying it was a mediocre performance. Besides on the game 6 meltdown, the Cardinals won because of Chris Carpenter - a true ace - someone the Rangers do not have. I just think they need a solid 1/2 this offseason.

[This message has been edited by Theo is a Touchdown (edited 12/10/2011 10:28p).]

Where to start...

So - Carpenters 2.84/1.16 is what you are looking for, in a WS performance?!

Who is StL 1/2 combo you desire?!

Given the option of trading anyone on the Rangers' rotation roster for Jaime Garcia... I might go Feldman... our long reliever.

I'll help you with the stats, since you obviously wouldn't look them up... Remember... 2.84 by Carp is what saved St.Louis and we need someone to pitch like him, in the WS.

Holland - 0.87 ERA / 0.58 / 10.1 IP / 7K
CLewis - 2.25 ERA / 1.00 / 12.0 IP / 8K
CJWilson- 2.92 ERA / 1.54 / 12.1 IP / 9K

Is Carp AWESOME? Sure. But if you combine (5GS by the way) what we got from the 3 above... our SP was fine.

We were 1 out... twice... a leaping catch by Cruz on an almost routine FB, from winning the WS. We had our #1... our #2 hitters with significant injuries and our normal 1B could barely play. If healthy... they'd have likely roughed up Carp a little more than they were able to. They had Home field advantage, which was gifted by CJ.

We lost. Fine. But, it wasn't as if we were "run ruled."

You are probably of the belief it was Pitching that let us down in the last decade when we were in the Playoffs.

I vote that the Rangers should worry about getting to the World Series before setting their World Series rotation...

(RS, ALDS, ALCS)

Lewis: 4.40/1.50/6.35...say it with me this time, guys... "meeee-deeee-ocre #3 pitcher"
Holland: 3.95/1.42/8.59
Harrison: 3.39/4.76/3.60/7.04
Ogando: 3.51/arm fell off
Feldman: 3.94/0.00/0.00...admittedly good post-season, but meeee-deee-ocre RS
Feliz-??????????

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Given the option of trading anyone on the Rangers' rotation roster for Jaime Garcia... I might go Feldman... our long reliever.

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Just curious...who no mention of 1.80 ERA in 10 World Series innings for Garcia?

[This message has been edited by TXAggie2011 (edited 12/11/2011 12:40a).]

Garcia - I knew he wouldn't check. His regular season 3.56 in the NL, and his Post Season 4.21 disqualifies him from being considered an Ace. That was the question... is he a #2. I addressed that by saying if you consider him an Ace, he'd be no better than #4 on the Rangers. He had a good WS. Both games at home.

Playoff Numbers:
Colby - 3.04/1.06 <- Added to 2010. He has been one of the best in the Post Season. There was some question about his hip, and that he was correcting for it, and thus his pitches floating higher costing him HRs. I think he knew he needed to man-up (or probably take a corteson shot) in the Playoffs.
Holland- 3.38/1.25

You may not like the Rangers' SPs in their 1st full season as a SP where Ogando, Harrison and Holland all started to run out of gas. Yes, pitching in the Post Season will certainly hinder their start to the season, much like it did CLew to start 2011.

Regualar season ERA in the AL:
#15 Matt Harrison (26)
#19 Alexi Ogando (28)
#24 Derek Holland (25)

I've gone through this before... There are like 4/5 AL teams of the 14, that do not have a SP with a better ERA than Holland, who was our #4.
Det (2), Bos (2), LAA (3), TB(3), Rangers (4), Oak (2), NYY (1), Cle (1)

- CHW
- Balt
- KC
- Minn

There is every reason to believe the trio will be better in 2012, aside from what I expect to be a slow start. Ogando was a converted OF.

quote:

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His regular season 3.56 in the NL

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He's 24, and posted a 2.70 ERA as a 23 year old over 28 starts in 2010. If the question is finding the young guys who will improve over a "meh" 2011, Garcia's a very strong candidate.

Anyways, the average ERA difference across leagues was 0.28. Why do Holland and Lewis get a pass on 4.00-4.50 regular seasons because they "nutted up" for a playoff series or two. If its about the post-season, why is Harrison getting a pass for his awful postseason?

Selective stats, clap, clap, clap?


Garcia's not an ace, yet, anyways, he's too inconsistent at this point, but his full body of work has been better than Lewis and Holland, Feliz is a complete unknown, and there's plenty to question about Ogando. With Lewis, Feldman, Lowe, and Adams headed to FA in 2013, I just can't see a Garcia-like addition to the Rangers as a negative.

[This message has been edited by TXAggie2011 (edited 12/11/2011 11:12a).]

DA94, here's how I interpret your position:
"The rotation is fine..." If..
A. If the younger pitchers continue to improve in multiple facets
B. If the closer becomes an effective starter (nevermind the post that implies he will replace 2011's #1)
C. And if almost nothing else changes around the majors.

I don't know how up to date your list of teams with multiple SP's "better" than Holland is (ie, is Wilson on the Angels or Rangers on the list?), but I can't help notice that it includes playoff teams Det and TB, and contenders LAA and Bos.

Even if we all recognize and stipulate that the Rangers have a good rotation; am I wrong in thinking that, when it comes down to facing those teams in the playoff race and in the playoff series, you're so confident in A-B-C above that you reject the idea of trying to improve upon the pitching staff?

I understand the Rangers were within a pitch of the Series. I get that. I'm saying in TODAY's current state - with the Angels improvement and rotation that I would take anyday over the Rangers, I don't see how they can be satisfied with what they have.

Aggie Kid

Here is my position...
A. The you pitchers need to do what they did last year:
Harrison: 3.39 (30GS)
Ogando : 3.51 (29GS)
Holland : 3.95 (32GS)

For Harrison and Ogando preferrably like they did Pre-All Stars, and ran out of gas:
Harrison: 3.04 (17GS)
Ogando : 2.92 (17GS)

IMO, they don't have to improve... just do what they do...

BTW, their Away Splits for the 2011 season:
Harrison: 2.99
Ogando: 3.18
Holland: 3.39

CLewis: 3.43

B. Feliz to be a #5 SP. Not a #1. If he is sub 4.0 and goes 150 IP.. I will be pleased, and he'll have exceeded my hopes.

C. We don't need a Kershaw, Felix, Lincecum, and didn't need one to have won the WS in 2011.

The Halos have improved, lets not kid ourselves. If only for 2012 and 2013. IMO, it wasn't a substantial improvement that we need to overreact.

I'm pretty up to date. My list was a reflection of 2011. At the end of the day, CJWilson goes to LAAA from Texas. You can make that change, but there are still teams without a player who ended 2011 with a better ERA than Holland. And Holland had a 3.06 ERA after the ASB. He was the youngest of the Rangers SP.

I'm in favor of improving the pitching staff. I'm just struggling to find who is available to do it for the price it would cost.

CJ would have improved it, but most people on here didn't like that option. I seemed to be one of the few with the ticker-tape banners wanting him. I think at 24, and 25 - Holland and Harrison are still going to get better. MUCH better. I think Ogando in his short 3 seasons in MLB and a converted OF (in 2006) still has upside.

Most minor league pitchers get nearly 500 IP in the minors before they make it to the Majors.

Ogando had 111.2. Harrison got 411. Holland 287.

All 3 now have playoff experience, which I believe will elevate their game.

Who do you want... and what will it cost?

Garza?
At 22, made his debut with a 5.76 ERA, then a 3.69 at 23. At 25 went 3.95.

Shields? TB was ready to dump the 28 year old after 2010, only Garza had more interest.
At 24, Shields made his MLB debut with a 4.84 ERA. Then at 25, went 3.85.

Wade Davis?
At 24 - 4.07, at 25 - 4.45.

These are the players we are looking at (Shields I doubt, but was last offseason).

Trevor Cahill?
At 22 - 2.97, but bookend that with a 4.63 and a 4.16. In one of the most pitcher friendly parks.

Saunders? Career 4.16 Career, who is 30.

I'd love to have a Lincecum. A Felix. Kershaw. Those are wildless expensive and rare.

I think Feliz and Martin Perez have the ceiling to be at that level. In fact, I think Holland, Harrison and Ogando have the capacity to flirt with being at that level. All are cheap. All are under team control. It will cost 1... if not 2 of them to get someone like Felix.

I'm more concerned about Hamilton, Cruz and Moreland being healthy... and Beltre being healthy.

Theo

The Halos have a great rotation and CJ added to it. If Hunter, Abreu and Wells achieve what they are capable... a lineup with them plus Trumbo and Pujols will certainly be formidable. They could very well run away with it in 2011. But adding pitchers that don't improve our talent, doesn't close the gap, it only causes us to lose prospects, IMO.

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For Harrison and Ogando preferrably like they did Pre-All Stars, and ran out of gas:
Harrison: 3.04 (17GS)
Ogando : 2.92 (17GS)

IMO, they don't have to improve... just do what they do...

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So all they have to do is just do what they did well, for longer. IMO, that sounds like you're saying they have to improve their stamina, their conditioning, their preparation, something.

If Feliz is a passable #5, then you might as well trade for a Davis.

I'm not sure of the relevance of the fact that there are teams who have worse pitchers than your 2011 #4 (your possible 2012 #2). Are any of us concerned about the Orioles or the Royals? Again, I ask, what about the teams that are going to be facing off against the Rangers for the playoff berths?

I don't care who the Rangers get. I rather hope you keep the hand you're holding, including having had your lone ace plucked from your grasp.

Just for clarity...

quote:

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Here is my position...
A. The you pitchers need to do what they did last year:
Harrison: 3.39 (30GS)
Ogando : 3.51 (29GS)
Holland : 3.95 (32GS)

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I'd prefer better... yes... what they did well and increase their stamina. Not IMPROVE... not their conditioning, not their preparation.

What happened with them was expected... it was typical. They are young. Last season was their 1st FULL season as a MLB SP. If they can smooth out the

Harrison:
2007 - 116.2 Minors
2008 - 83.2 IP + 84.0 Minors = 167.2
2009 - 63.1 IP + 9.0 Minors
2010 - 78.1 IP + 7.1 Minors
2011 - 185.2 IP + 18.1 IP in Post Season

Holland:
2009 - 138.1 IP + 4 Minors
2010 - 57.1 IP + 65.2 Minors
2011 - 198.0 IP + 24 Post Season

We all know Ogando went from an OF to a RP to a SP.

It is why I said that Feliz might go 150 in 2012.

If you look at Holland, as an example...His monthly splits are:
April: 5.12
May : 4.81
June : 4.15
July : 2.77
Aug : 5.13
Sept : 2.20
Post : 3.38

If he can flatten out the August where he got tired... It'd be great. I expect him to start slow. He won't have had the normal length offseason other pitchers on non-playoff teams get. Instead, he goes 222 IP.

Let's look at Harrison...
April: 3.69
May : 2.79
June : 3.38
July : 2.04
Aug : 6.07
Sept : 2.64
Post : 5.40

Notice... both were cruising along... and then August was a meltdown. Because they let them fight through... both had a spectacular September (with a skip in starting). Holland was solid in the Post-Season, but it was his 2nd Playoffs, Harrison's 1st.

Ogando?!
April: 2.30
May : 2.36
June : 4.26
July : 2.91
Aug : 7.14
Sept : 1.80
Post : 2.77

Ogando was a little different., in that his June was pretty scary. There was some serious question about his future for the season. He was getting banged around and it wasn't pretty.

I'd be fine even if they just repeated what they did. HOWEVER... I fully expect them to better understand the demands both physically and mentally.

Slotting Feliz as a #5 is setting realistic expectations for a guy who has been a closer the past few years. It is a price you pay. He needs to do 3 things. 1) Stretch out to throwing more innings per game... fewer games... 2) Work on his 2ndary pitches... 3) Learn the philosophy of setting up a game. I completely think he can have a season like the 3 above had... but I don't want to set unrealistic expectations.

In 2013, Feliz will be solid. I expect him to be in the Top 10 in ERA. There will be growing pains. Sorry... that is how baseball go.

Davis had a 4.45 in 2011. What is he a 4? 5? I expect Feliz to have a 4.50 as worst case scenario. He should be around a 4.00. The main difference will be his IP. Why would you give up talent of anykind to just get a few more innings. The best part about the Rangers' roster is you have Feldman if you need him. In ALL honesty... Feliz\Feldman just needs to get you to the ASB.

There are BUNCHES of SPs to be FAs after 2012. Many, like Greinke and Marcum with Milw. They will suck next year (no Fielder and no PED-MVP). Danks. Hamels. Lohse. Sanchez. SHIELDS (Option).

If you plan to trade Moreland... you can get Davis now... or package him for someone better.

The big concern is... who do you bump from the rotation?! This has always been a concern. CLew is your veteran. I don't know how to separate Ogando/Harrison/Holland. Nathan ensures Feliz is a SP. Do you really want to get caught trading another Danks for a failed SP...

My point of the Orioles and Royals was that there are only 7 teams in the AL with a SP that did better than our #4. 2 are in the Division. Boston and NYY aren't giving up anyone. There are limited options.

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My point of the Orioles and Royals was that there are only 7 teams in the AL with a SP that did better than our #4. 2 are in the Division.

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Not sure I follow what you're saying here...

I'll use short simple sentences.

If we want to improve our pitching with a proven Ace... it will need to come from another MLB team.

There are very few pitchers that would improve the talent of our rotation.

I definitely disagree that "few" pitchers would improve the Rangers rotation. In my opinion, the Angels have a better rotation now - so if you wanna go into 2012 with what ya got knowing that the AL West just got that much tougher, then go for it and hope for the best. Maybe they can do it.

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I definitely disagree that "few" pitchers would improve the Rangers rotation.

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Give me 10 AL SPs that are not on Boston, NYY or LAA. I'm looking for guys that 1) Had a better ERA than Holland in 2011 and/or 2) A better ERA combined for 2010/2011 3) and you might include what you think it would take to get them. I'm trying to figure out you perspective.

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In my opinion, the Angels have a better rotation now -

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I think that is well established. If having a better starting rotation was paramount to Texas... they'd have made a bigger effort to sign CJ. He was the best SP available, and has been well documented as one of the best SPs in the past 2 seasons. It would have cost nothing.

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so if you wanna go into 2012 with what ya got knowing that the AL West just got that much tougher, then go for it and hope for the best. Maybe they can do it.

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Anyone who thought the Rangers were going to be able to go into the season with the best SP was fooling themselves. IF they resigned CJ... the Halos would still have a better rotation. I might correct that to say, they'd have a more established rotation.

The Halos will go into 2012 with the AL ERA ranked #2, 7, 11 and 14 SPs from 2011.

Texas will go into 2012 with the AL ERA ranked 15, 19, and 24.

The Halos will start 2012 with 4 SPs better than the highest rank Rangers' pitcher. We'd have to make significant moves to change that. We don't have the prospects to change that. But, it goes back to the question... if you pickup a SP... which of CLew/Holland/Harrison/Ogando/Feliz do you dump?

The Rangers need to see what they have in the 4 young guys. They could ALL improve... several could stumble. If 3 of those guys falter... blowing prospects to have only fixed 1, would have been a waste. I don't know who I'd take out. I am comfortable going with what we got.

Also, when you look at Away ERA... Texas has the #7 (Harrison), 12 (Ogando) and 20 (Holland). Those look much more favorable to LAA (#1 CJ, #6Weaver, #27Santana)

Why do they have to come from the AL and why do they have to be better than Holland?

I'm sure there's a way to the Rangers could get their hands on one of Romero, Masterson, Jurrjens, etc...

quote:

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The Halos will start 2012 with 4 SPs better than the highest rank Rangers' pitcher. We'd have to make significant moves to change that. We don't have the prospects to change that. But, it goes back to the question... if you pickup a SP... which of CLew/Holland/Harrison/Ogando/Feliz do you dump?

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"Dump", i.e. send to the bullpen, whoever performs the worst in the spring. Managers and GMs will be trimming the hedges numerous times at every spring camp.

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The Rangers need to see what they have in the 4 young guys. They could ALL improve... several could stumble. If 3 of those guys falter... blowing prospects to have only fixed 1, would have been a waste.

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Why would it have been a waste? Improving your team, if just for 1/5th of August and September, could determine if you are in the playoffs or not.

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Why do they have to come from the AL and why do they have to be better than Holland?

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They don't have to come from the AL, however, the NL doesn't always translate to the AL. You don't have much in terms of AL players or ballparks to guage. In the NL, you have a pitcher vs DH which changes the strategy

They don't have to be better than Holland. Presumably they have to be better than the worst SP, or it doesn't make sense. In order to improve, wouldn't you replace someone with someone better?

Romero - WOW... swinging for the fench. He certainly meets the criteria... what does he cost, 'cause Toronto just signed him, and for what he did in 2011... $7.5M is a HUGE bargain for someone with 5 years left, making about what Feldman makes. IMO, Romero might cost you - Martin Perez, Neil Ramirez, Profar, Leonys Martin AND probably Engel Beltre.

Masterson? He had a pretty good 2011. Do you like him, or is that just someone who qualifies. You did look at his 2009... 2010 numbers, right?! What does he cost you?

Jurrjens - Atlanta was shopping him. I'd like to have him. Atlanta has serious concerns about his health, that should tell you something. So, What does he cost?

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"Dump", i.e. send to the bullpen, whoever performs the worst in the spring. Managers and GMs will be trimming the hedges numerous times at every spring camp.

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So you greatly diminish the value of a promising SP who finished 2011 in the Top 20 in ERA, by making a middle-reliever out him? You screw him up by converting him to short and frequent appearances?

quote:

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Why would it have been a waste? Improving your team, if just for 1/5th of August and September, could determine if you are in the playoffs or not.

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You make no sense. From a talent perspective... I believe that Holland/Ogando/Harrison are capable of being in the Top 15-20 ERA guys for 2012. I believe ALL 3 of them are good enough to get the job done. You seem to think that isn't the case, but you don't know which one(s) will suck. I don't think we need/can improve on any of the 3, but you do. If you improve 1 of them... good luck determine which one, purely based on a few starts in Spring Training. You can't do it based on a full 2011 season. What if all are great or all suck?!

My point is... if you don't have the talent now... you will be a seller at the deadline. You have CLew, et al, that could be great selling chips if you are a seller. Meanwhile, you wasted talent to get someone who didn't help you anyway. 1 SP is not going to make Texas' Rotation competitive/equibalent with the Halos. If that were the case... sign CJ and be done.

The question no one will answer is... what are you willing to give up, to improve 1 SP? We can lust and covet other SPs, and cry about it... but what will it cost for the improvement?

BTW - I expect all 3 (Holland/Harrison/Ogando) to have a fairly mediocre ST. They'll be 3-4 weeks into 2012, before they really regain their form.

That's 3 off the top of my head, there's probably a number of guys with as good a shot to be front end guy as anyone the Rangers have, and plenty of talent in the Rangers organization to float around. I'm not calling for a huge trade, I'm just not afraid to "screw" a youngster (Matt Harrison says hello) or maybe Colby Lewis or whoever I might feel is the 6th best pitcher come April...and then in May, and June, and July, etc...

HHO may be good enough to be a good 123. I think the Rangers will need 5 to make the playoffs in the current AL environment. Again, I don't think anyone in the Rangers rotation is a slam dunk to pitch any better than other guys in the league. They have a few above average guys with an above average pitch or two.

Look, I know the chances of the Rangers actually doing anything is slim. I'd look to make a move if I were running them, nothing more, nothing less, with my thoughts leaning towards sending Feliz to the bullpen (I wouldn't have signed Nathan, but that's for another day).

I think I have a pretty good track record evaluating players. I'm not sold on the thought that adding another arm would do more harm, short or long term, than it would good.

The odds are someone, or several, won't perform, and the Rangers' staff is flexible enough, and the bullpen questionable enough, to move pieces around until you find the right fit.

You don't have to have options, you just have to find ONE guy to trade for at the right price.

I like much of what your last post stated.

The difference is approach and timing.

The best talent to be available will be at the ASB. The talent currently available is the 6th/extra SP that others are looking to move - TB, Oak, Atl...

Come the ASB, fading teams will be willing to trade those that are not available now.

We don't which player will struggle with the Rangers (if any or multiple). If we blow our wad now, we'll have less work with, and may end up only adding to our problems.

I'd rather get Danks (or such at the deadline), once a team realized they have been eliminated.

I can get behind a deadline move for SP if you have determinded that is a area that needs to be strengthened for a playoff push

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Josh Hamilton is a FA after 2012.
Napoli is a FA after 2012.
Nelson Cruz is a FA after 2013.

If Fielder (an outsider) is worth $20M/yr to the Rangers... surely each of those will be, especially in terms of fan backlash.

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Good teams have to deal with turnover. If the Rangers start worrying about fan reaction to letting guys go, then we're back in the Tom Hicks era. I love Nelson Cruz to death, but you've got to consider that he is 31 years and injury prone, while Prince Fielder is only 27. Yes, he probably won't age well, but it's something the Rangers should certainly consider.