After reading the TR Sullivan article and the Revo article yesterday and today and thinking about where this thing is heading, it got me to think about the worst case scenario if MLB is in full control this offseason.

Worst case scenario:

*Millwood's option doesn't vest - is this really going to be so terrible? Sure MLB will have a huge fight on their hands, as they should, with MLBPA but the Rangers won't really be too much a part of that. And if Millwood's not back next year we will be ok.

*We cannot pursue any free agents, including Byrd - Let's be realistic. We probably weren't going to be huge players in the top guys anyway. We probably, once again, are destined to pursue reclamation projects, or guys who are at a low point and need to come here to rebound, like Ben Sheets. As for Byrd, we already have too many outfielders as it is. If they resign Byrd they are going to have to trade probably either Murphy or Cruz to have enough ABs to go around (or Hamilton). We lose a huge asset in the clubhouse but we would probably survive on the field.

*MLB forces us to dump Michael Young - This would not be good but we would be moving him at a point when his value figures to be pretty high. If we are ever going to be able to move Young with that albatross of a contract, this offseason might be the best time. If this happens, then don't we just move Davis to third (we don't really lose anything defensively, right?) and bring Smoak up to play first.

*Scheppers doesn't sign - This one would be another blow but there are still serious doubts out there about his health.

*Daniels and/or Nolan leave - Don't really want to think about either of these things, especially Daniels but if I was told to tear up what I had been building, I would leave, wouldn't you?

What else am I missing that MLB could force us to do? Who else would they force us to dump? If they make us do these things above we have gotten rid of all of our huge contracts (plus we lose Blalock and Padilla's salaries after this year) but we still would have a pretty decent team. Maybe not the odds-on favorite to win the division but still a pretty interesting team. Thoughts?

Evan Grant is reporting that Vincente Padilla has been designated for assignment. He's done. After that ridiculous display the other night, this was the right move. He wasn't coming back next year. Let's use the rest of this year to give a rotation spot to someone who will be here. Good for the Rangers.

Padilla's Gone

Words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words

TR Sullivan came out after the trade deadline the other day and said that Texas was told that Halladay would not have waived his no-trade clause to Texas. This morning, Nick Cafardo, posted an interview with Ricciardi in which Ricciardi states that that was not the case. Ricciardi basically contradicts a lot of what was reported about the trade process and says that there just wasn't a good enough offer on the table for him to accept for Doc. I am inclined to believe Sullivan that someone in the Rangers organization told him that. So, are the Rangers making up the fact that they were told this by Ricciardi? Was money really the issue and the Rangers just didn't want this to be out there as the reason? Or is Ricciardi just trying to cover himself since he didn't make a deal and probably won't be able to get as good a deal in the offseason or next year at the trade deadline? Who knows. 

Here is the link for the Cafardo article:

Cafardo with JP Ricciardi

Guess we won't have to face Washburn on Sunday. Wonder if the M's will bring Ian Snell up to pitch that game?

Washburn to Tigers

Only a couple hours to go. 

Words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words

words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words 

words words words words words words words words words words words words words words words

My wife has family that lives in Newark, OH, which is the hometown of Derek Holland. Newark is about 30 miles east of Columbus and is very close to the hometown of Nick Swisher. Let's hope that Holland is less of a douche than Swish. 

Anyway, not much exciting goes on in Newark. I visited recently and it's a pretty quiet, out of the way place. There are a bunch of new Rangers fans there, though.

Holland Article

Just read Rosenthal's latest and it seems that Detroit has acquired Edwin Jackson from Tampa for leftfielder Matt Joyce.

Rosenthal

Doesn't seem like much for Jackson. I know the guy has been a disappointment and that Matt Joyce looks to be a decent outfielder, but I would have liked for the Rangers to get in on that guy. He has a ton of upside. He pitched a couple of great games against us if I remember. Wonder if a guy like Murphy or Cruz would have been better than Joyce.

Just read this on the DMN Ranger Blog. Here is the link:

Victor Rojas Leaving Rangers

I always liked Victor. Thought that he and Nadel worked well together. Of course, there has also been speculation that Josh Lewin might leave the Rangers to take the TV gig with the Padres which was vacated by the departure of Matt Vasgergian, who also was hired by MLB Network (which premieres in January 2009). My guess is that Steve Busby might take over for Victor. I thought he did a great job when he filled in for Victor when Victor took TAG's place last season. But if Josh leaves as well, who knows what will happen. The ultimate thing, in my opinion, would be for Eric and Tom Grieve to work together and do a simulcast on radio and TV, kind of like what the Stars do. Nadel has never wanted to do TV, though, so who knows.

Amid all the wackiness of the BCS, I just wanted to remind everyone that there is a playoff system at all other levels of NCAA football. And a team from not too far away stand a pretty good chance at winning a title very soon.

Yesterday, Abilene Christian University took on West Texas A&M in Abilene in the 2nd round of the Division 2 playoffs. ACU entered the game 10-0. West Texas was 11-1 with their only loss coming to ACU. The game was amazing. The final score was:

ACU 93 WT 68

It's not a basketball score. It's the score of the football game.

Here is a story on the game:

ACU vs. WT

I was actually at the game yesterday in Abilene and it was phenomenal. Four hours of video game football. ACU scored on 13 of 15 possessions. The first possession they didn't score on, they missed a field goal. The second possession they didn't score on they punted but the punt was fumbled and ACU recovered. So, they were never stopped! The running back for ACU scored 7 touchdowns. And this is not to mention the amazing stats from WT. Their quarterback almost threw for 600 yards. Amazing game. Maybe the most amazing part about it is ACU didn't really break a sweat in getting to 93. And they let up on the gas midway through the 4th quarter. They could have gotten to 100 if they had wanted.

The Fielding Bible awards for the season are out today. They can be found here

2008 Awards

Some interesting names on there. Franklin Gutierrez? The only repeat winner was the great Albert Pujols. That guy had a phenomenal year at the plate and the in the field and he did it with an injured shoulder and he still might lose MVP to Ryan Howard who struck out tons.

Of course there are no Rangers on the list. Maybe next year.

I haven't seen this anywhere else on this site. But Forbes did a recent ranking of the most loyal fans in baseball and the least loyal fans in baseball. And, wouldn't you know it, but us Rangers fans were named the most loyal, just ahead of the Boston Red Sox.

Baseball Fan Rankings

I am stunned.

Top 5:

1.) Rangers

2.) Red Sox

3.) Braves

4.) Cubs

5.) Pirates

Bottom 6:

6.) Yankees

5.) Phillies

4.) Twins

3.) A's

2.) Tigers

1.) Angels

Suck it Anaheim and Oakland! It also should be pointed out that Seattle was in the bottom 10 as well. So, at least we win the AL West at something.

Congrats everyone!