n a huge 3 way 12 player deal the Mets end up with JJ Putz, and the Mariners end up with a bag full of Carp.  Seriously it must really suck to be a Mariners fan right now.  The rest of the division keeps looking better and they just gave away one of the few good players they have.

I guess that the Mets are going to use Putz as a setup man because they just paid a boatload of money to get K-Rod.  Maybe they would be interested in CJ after missing out on Street, they could just go all the closers from the AL West last year.

After 276 votes, Marcus Lemon has won the right to be called the LSB Community #21 prospect!

The list so far:
    1. 1b, Chris Davis
    2. RHP, Neftali Feliz
    3. RHP, Eric Hurley
    4. SS, Elvis Andrus
    5. C, Maximiliano Ramirez
    6. 1b, Justin Smoak
    7. RHP, Michael Main
    8. RHP, Blake "C-Wun" Beavan
    9. C, Taylor Teagarden
    10. LHP Kasey Kiker
    11. OF, Engel Beltre
    12. LHP, Matt Harrison
    13. OF, Julio Borbon
    14. LHP, Derek Holland
    15. RHP, Tommy Hunter
    16. RHP, Wilmer Font
    17. RHP, Neil Ramirez
    18. LHP, Martin Perez
    19. OF, John Mayberry, Jr.
    20. RHP, Thomas Diamond
    21. SS, Marcus Lemon

The polls are open, so go ahead and vote in the poll at the bottom and feel free to make any suggestions and/or criticisms in the comments below.

And please don't hesitate to tell me you want on the list for next time.

NOTE: There has been some speculation as to what the criteria are for this vote. Should guys who are currently in the bigs be involved in "prospect" discussions? For the sake of this exercise we're taking what the guys have done in the big leagues and using the BA prospect formula of 130 AB's or 50 ip. If a guy is under those limits, he's still a prospect right now, so he goes on the list. It's that simple.

According to ESPN the Rangers and the Reds have joined Oakland as the top bidders for the top international prospect Michael Inoa.  Inoa looks very good and I was disappointed before to see Oakland as the main suitors.  I am now very excited that Texas has gotten into the mix and I hope that they can win out. Here is a story on the top international prospects that talks about Inoa as the best in the class.

I have heard several good things on here about direct tv.  I have lived in the Austin area and have always had TW cable.  I really would like to switch and save some money.  I get most Rangers games here on an alternate channel on TWC because I am in the Astros market.  I am wondering if I switch to direct tv can I still get the Rangers without doing MLB extra innings, and what is the cheapest package that still includes FSN.  I don't think I would save all that much if I have to get the more expensive packages.

I would also like to know if anyone ahas ever had a problem with weather affecting your tv watching ability with direct tv.   I would appreciate any help I can get.  I don't make a whole lot of money, but I do have HD and I would like to get decent program options and Ranger games without having to spend a fortune.

Thanks.

I saw this on rotoworld.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=3411
It is based on an article by Evan Grant.  It sounds like they are using this slight nagging pain of Blalock's to audition Mark DeRosa as the full-time 3rd baseman.

This combined with Hick's statements makes it sound as if Blalock will not be around for very long.  I would think they would have to get a really good return for Hank and DeRosa would have to play well for it to be worth it.  If they just dump off Hank for little return because they think DeRosa can be just as good I am gonna be pissed.

However, if they got something really good for Hank, and DeRosa can show that he has progressed and this year and it wasn't just a fluke, it could be worth it.

I haven't seen this anywhere else, so I don't know how accurate it is, but according to Rotoworld, Ian Kinsler is going to be back tomorrow.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=MLB&leaguenum=&id=312

"The Rangers are currently planning to activate Ian Kinsler (thumb, hamstring) from the disabled list on Thursday.
Kinsler's return could result in D'Angelo Jimenez being designated for assignment. The Rangers won't have room for two reserve infielders now that they're carrying two designated hitters."

For those who think that Ramonce Taylor is the fastest Longhorn running back.  This is what Jamaal Charles did over the weekend at the Big 12 track and field championships.

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=53&url_article_id=2088&am p;url_subchannel_id=&change_well_id=2

"Charles' weekend started off by posting the fastest qualifying time (10.32) in the 100-meter prelims. He was also the top qualifier in the 200 meters with a 20.89 clocking. The next day, Charles won his first Big 12 title, the 100 meters, in a time of 10.23. He had a great chance to break the meet record of 10.19, but he slowed down over the last five meters to conserve energy. Charles mixed in another 100 meters as the third leg of the 4x100-meter relay that finished second (39.65). Then, because Texas had the meet in hand, he, along with head coach Bubba Thornton, decided not to run in the final of the 200 meters."