Reported by AP:

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/sports/AP-BBA-Rangers-Blalock.html

They got rear ended. Sounds like he and family are okay... but Hank says he's "stiff and sore."

Why should JD break up this team?

Gagne strikes me as a guy who walks what he talks.  Sign him to a 2 year extension -- for 9 million/yr or whatever he's worth.  How is any "prospect" going to be better than having the best bullpen in baseball for the next two years?

The offense has been fine this year, even with the injuries.  We are #3 in runs scored in the AL.  All the core bats will be back in 2008.

The starting pitching is starting to come around, and sweet bejeezus it can't be any worse next year.  With Hurley at #5, plus Millwood / Mccarthy / Loe, 1 of Padilla / Tejeda or a free agent, the rotation should be adequate in 2008.

The defense seems to have recovered it's sanity.  The infield and outfield defense should be at least average for the rest of the year, and in 2008.

This team could contend in 2008.  They could have contended this year, but for the bizarre rotation and defensive breakdown in April/May.  I say we'll finish with 82-85 wins in 2007.  Not enough to win the division or wildcard, but something to build on for 2008.  

Dismantling the best bullpen I've seen  on this team in 22 years will not improve the team.  Trading away Otsuka, or Gagne, or Tex for prospects will not help this team to compete in 2008, and probably not 2009.  

The team chemistry is starting to gel behind Washington.  Now is not the time to break it up.  Our best chance at being competitive in 2009 is to keep the team together, make a playoff run in 2008, and sign Tex to a long term contract in the afterglow.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12212006/sports/mets/mets_might_make_pitch_for_suppan_mets_michael_morri ssey.htm

For Mets fans, the most distressing news might be this: a source told The Post yesterday that Rangers owner Tom Hicks is helming the charge to sign Zito in no uncertain terms.

Earlier this month, the source said, Hicks walked into a meeting and told his front-office people something to the effect of, "I'm taking over this negotiation now."

Although Texas privately shot down reports it had already offered six years and $100 million to Zito, don't bet against it happening by the end of the Zito negotiations.