This team is driving me into a depression and I am getting desperate. I am sure that there will be a big backlash from many of you about this post, but how much could this really hurt our franchise? Not only would this put a big bat in the lineup that pitchers still fear but the man would help draw a crowd. I can't imagine us averaging over 15,000 fans a game without a major turnaround. Please let me know your thoughts.

Yes, I understand this might take away some at bats from youunger players. I am advocating using Bonds as our DH, moving Bradley to OF (sit every 5th) and playing Botts at 1B.

As Michael Scott says "everyday I get a little more desperate, and desperate situations yield the quickest results".

Not sure if anybody really cares but there is a Harris Interactive poll out that says the Rangers have become the 16th most popular team this season. This is very surprising given the fact that we were ranked 27th last season. I believe the jump is based on Wilkerson's last two weeks as an MVP candidate.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/index.jsp?epi-content=NEWS_VIEW_POPUP_TYPE&newsId= 20070709005144&ndmHsc=v2*A1152453600000*B1184068099000*DgroupByDate*J2*L1*N1000003*Zharris%20int eractive&newsLang=en&beanID=2133606841&viewID=news_view_popup

Bob Cook from MSNBC gives the award to Millwood and Padilla. I do not disagree with everything he says about the duo, but I am pretty sure the Rangers are not on the hook for $25 million this season. Yes, Millwood has not played up to his #1 standing but his contract is reasonable.

Are the Rangers really paying $25 mil for these two? I thought Millwood was making less than $8 this season.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19661975/

I know this may be the first time I have posted anything that does not criticize Wilkerson, but I wanted to discuss our strategy this weekend against LAAAAA. Can anyone justify pitching to El Diablo? They are under an injury plague and I would much rather walk every at-bat during this four game series and force their other players to beat us then allow a solo homerun to this man. The pitching matchups do not favor the Rangers and with Vlad's success against our entire staff (esp. Padilla). I do not understand why would risk it. Reagardless of where our record is prior to this series, we still have an opportunity to put ourselves at the top of the division come Monday afternoon.

Can someone please justify how he can make the team this season. I understand that it is only Spring Training, but his performance has been consistently dreadful. What would be financial penalty be for cutting him? If it is just $4mil sign me up.
I do not understand why our media does not get on him as much as they did with Mench or Nix.

I do not want to see him go. I would much rather see him take a starting outfield spot away from Wilkerson. I think I have made my stance on Wilkerson quite clear since we traded for him.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Now I have never been very big on the fans in Texas but last night was one of the most embarassing games I have ever been to. I have heard the argument that people do not want to drive 20 mins and sit in this beautiful weather. That is fine, enjoy the game from home your punishment will be 100 commercials of Taylor Hicks singing about Ford. The only thing worse in my mind for a Rangers game is watching Brad Wilkerson stand in the box.

Anyway for those who happened to make it to the game last night that was embarassing. Not only did the team drop the ball but the fans did as well. Why is it so hard to get loud during certain situations? Why is there a 5 yr old kid leading in section 14 leading the third base side in a "Lets go Rangers" chant? If you were in that section how are you not chanting with that kid? Even he knew the importance of last nights game (actually he appeared to have no clue but still kept trying to keep the chant going). And finally for the 26k in attendance (which was probably no more than 18k in a seat) why are you getting up and leaving after we squandered a rally in the 8th? Down two runs going into the 9th was not an easy save with the 9,1,and 2 hitters (even though it was). Easily 25%-50% of the fans were gone by the top of the 9th. There will not be any traffic in Arlington to worry about when there are only about 18k people at a game. Keep your ass in the seat.

Please do not respond with "I knew we were going to lose" or anything like that. Sorry for the rant it is probably incoherent but I am not going to have time to proof read this since I am at work.

Can someone give a good reason as to why Buck would pinch hit Barajas with Wilkerson? I hate Buck's reliance on Righty vs. Lefty matchups. Why would Laird not hit in that situation. First he is a better hitter and possibly even a better runner. Second he plays catcher, so if we had pulled off a miracle then Wilkerson would have been subbed out anyway for Laird.

This is ridiculous. And in case you did not want to watch the 9th inning Wilkerson struck out (shocking). Buck should be fired and Wilkerson should DFA'd.

What is the possibility of trading Barajas to Boston and getting some very good prospects in the deal? With Varitek out 4-6 weeks they have a huge hole at catcher and Barajas would be a good fit up there. However, would Barajas be able to get through waivers and make it to Boston?

What prospects do you think Boston would give up for him? Much like the A.J. Pyrzynski trade I would ask for Nathan and Liriano type prospects in return or there is no trade. Granted both of those guys were probably not expected to be as good as thought.

I hope this is really not the reason ESPN fired Reynolds. Reading the excerpts from his comments I would say that he was right in his analysis of A-Rod's situation.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/432321p-364282c.html                                                                              

This article was posted on SI.com this morning. If there was anyway that the White Sox are interested in Cordero for their set up man I would take one of those guys in a second.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jon_heyman/07/14/daily.scoop/index.html

That is just too bad.

I know this is a little premature but I noticed that Boston is getting pounded by a Noreastern today and what looks like will be through Saturday evening. What would happen if the Rangers were rained out again or even for the three games scheduled Friday and Saturday? I could not imagine being happy having to fly to Boston and play one game during a Monday or Thursday off day, then flying back to wherever they were scheduled to play.

I got into an argument regarding how good our catchers are compared to those around the league (keep in mind these guys hate the Rangers b/c I love them). Now I threw out Barajas because I have never really liked him, but I said at this point Gerald Laird might be one of the top 5 in terms of value.  Now granted there are players out there such as Varitek, Posada and Lo Duca who are solid however I would not touch them based on their contracts. The three players that I said that were definitely in front of Laird were Mauer, Willingham and Martinez. What do you guys think? Personally, I think we will have a legitimate All-Star caliber catcher in Laird by 2009.

Ok, I am sick and tired of all of the Brad Wilkerson apologists out there. This guy is a big problem in our lineup. Whoever said that he is a rally killing machine is underestimating his ability to ruin a ballgame. Last night, his route to a ball that should have been no more than a double, cost us a run. Luckily Koronka maintained composure and got out of the inning.
At least last year at the beginning of the season Hidalgo was acutally producing.  I am having trouble understanding why people will say that he will be fine in two months. If you guys have watched him when he steps out of the box he occassionally grimaces when he moves his shoulder. That is a sign of a big problem. Shoulders do not just fix themselves. Given our current situation I would much rather deal with paying Sori and trying to get him to play the outfield, than watch Brad strikeout or pop up to the infield.

I will continue to place the blame of this season squarely on the shoulders of Brad Wilkerson. This is my least favorite Ranger in God Knows How Long.
I would love to take back Sori's contract in order to get rid of Wilkerson.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx

Wilkerson sucks. Yes, I know that he won the game with his two run double but his 4 strikeouts and his inability to draw walks is killing the top of the lineup.
I really feel that we will regret not making a stronger push for Juan Pierre. As I was saying back in the offseason, Pierre would flourish at this ballpark with the right center alley.

Adam I really enjoyed seeing what everyone thought Tex would put up this season. Anyway we could start a thread for Blalock. I truly believe that with the departure of Soriano, Blalock will need to step up and go back to the way he was playing 2-3 years ago.
I hope he really worked hard this offseason trying to find a way to hit to all fields.

In lieu of the recent transaction I wanted to go ahead and post my favorite Soriano Memory (as a Ranger).
It was his first at bat against the Yankees (two seasons ago) during the Saturday game (second game of the series). Yes which later ended with a Barajas walkoff. Anyway, I just remember that ball that he crushed deep into the Left CF stands. It was great to hear all of those Yankee fans start complaining. I also love when he pops his jersey. Besides his lazy defense he was entertaining to watch.

Ok I remember hearing that we were in the running to possibly make a trade for him since he wants to be closer to P.R. Any word on this? If we were to add Zito or Morris and the Vasquez I would be very happy with Daniels.

I know that we are not exactly on the East Coast and all but given the fact that American has a hub here and in San Juan I would think it would be easy for him to travel. Plus can't see Javier's price being too high.

Just throwing it out there.

In the article that talked about Laird possibly being sent to the Padres it mentioned that the Padres might look to go after Joey Gathright of the TB D'Rays. Personally, I think he is exactly what we need for our lineup. Not only is he one of the fastest guys I have ever seen, but he has shown an ability to put the ball in play. If this kid is available I think we need give a serious look at him. Plus he jumps over cars.

Was it me or did the Rangers just seem to roll over this week? I have never seen a team so unamused during a series. Granted the pitchers were terrible, but it looked as if there was no intensity in them this week. They need to do something to get a fire started (maybe a Come to Jesus Session) or by this time next week we will become a seller in the trade market. Also, is there something we can do to get Botts up here to play in place of Hidalgo. I am getting tired of him blowing big oppurtunities, and if Lewin tells me about his one big homerun against Guardado, I will vomit. He has become useless. All I know is that they need to dominate the 'Stros this weekend to have a little confidence for next week.