Over the Holiday break from school I am looking to do a little gambling.  Normally, I would go to Shreveport, but now I live just north of Dallas and have thought about trying out one of the Oklahoma casinos.  Anyone have any knowledge of or recommendations of which Oklahoma casinos to tryout.  I am not a big slots player and want to play some table games and get some adult beverages. 
Thinks in advance for the help. 

I think we have to give JD credit so far this off-season.  He is working with a limited budget and still came out of the Winter Meetings with a better Texas Rangers ball club.  So that begs the question what is left for the off-season.  I just do not think the Rangers are done this off-season.  What are the biggest needs left for this club going into 2010?

Is it time for Step 5 of the five-step plan Jamey Newberg addressed in his article on June 12, 2009?  http://www.newbergreport.com/article.asp?articleid=1451

So what's left and is it time for Step 5?

I know this is not the usual lonestar chat stuff, but I just can't help myself.  I am now a proud dad and wanted to introduce Beckett Reid Budai to the lonestarball community.  As you can imagine, I already have him pegged as a 1st Round Pick in 2028. 

Well, I am thinking we need a Rangers to-do list for his 1st year.  I have only come up with 3 Rangers things so far and was looking for a little help.   Yes, I know he will not remember, but I sure will!!

1.  Attend Opening Day 2010 with Grandpa and Dad.

2.  Check out Martin Perez at Frisco (maybe Arlington).

3.  Read all 72 prospect profiles from the Newberg Report together.  He's already listened to several and completely understands.

As the trade deadline approaches it got me to thinking.  Why are there not more 3 teams trades in baseball?

It seems the NBA is really the king of multiple team trades.  Is it because in the NBA they can trade draft picks that makes it easier? 

Honestly, with Buchholz going tonight I was thinking of a way for the Rangers to still get him.  I am probably one of the few that thinks JD is doing a good job.  I think he checks every possibility to make the Rangers better.  Sure some trades backfire. 

How about

Boston gets:  Halladay and Taylor Teagarden

Toronto gets: Masterson or Bowden, Hagadone or Bard + Poveda, Boscan, Arias or Vallejo

Texas gets:  Buchholz and Will Middlebrooks

This is just to get the conversation started.  Would it work for the 3 teams?  Toronto may not be getting enough.  How would you fix this trade, could it work and why are there not more 3 team trades in baseball.

Put on your GM hat and let's discuss!!

I have a pitching question specifically regarding the splitter.  Why don't more pitchers throw the splitter?  Best of my knowledge it is the same as the forkball, is that true? 

How do organizations decide to focus on certain pitches?  I understand that every club wants its pitchers to develop the change.  But why do some clubs focus on cutters, splitters and other clubs focus on the curveball vs. the slider?  What goes into the thought process for what to throw more in a certain organization?

I really started thinking about this in regards to Blake Beavan.  With his control and ability to throw strikes couldn't the splitter give him a true strikeout pitch?  I really think Beavan is becoming an elite prospects and I think the splitter could take him to the next level. 

Interested Ranger fan wanting to learn more.  I figured what better place to learn some more specifics on pitches and pitching than the knowledge of the lonestarball community. 

About a week ago I e-mailed Jamey and ask him who he would target in trades this year.  Last year he picked Heath Bell and Zach Greinke.  How have they been this year?  So if Jamey targets Matt Cain, Chris Volstad, Josh Johnson or Peavy then I'm am listening. 

Here is the bigger question to me.  When do the Rangers make a trade?  I think there is no doubt the Rangers will look much different on Opening Day 2010 than they currently do, because of trades.  However, when should JD pull the trigger?

Before July 1?  I love the move the Brewers made last year and traded well before the deadline for C.C.  Why not target someone (Heath Bell) and have him making an impact before July 31.  Not as many players may be on the market, but surely someone who could help will be.

Trade Deadline July 31?  More people available.  By now you have a good idea if your a contender.  Maybe the price for a player will come down near the deadline. 

Off-season:  Now I think the Rangers are contenders in 2009.  However someone like Francisco Liriano could be had in the off season, but not at the deadline with the Twins in the hunt in the Central division. 

Personally, I take my assets and add a small piece or two this year.  Bullpen help would be my target.  Then I take my big pieces and go after a young stud pitcher.  Liriano, Cain or whoever.  We have enough pieces to get anyone we want. 

Which of the three options do you think is the Rangers best course of action......discuss.

With all of the talk about the Ranger farm system being #1 in baseball it got me to thinking about where Jarrod Saltalamacchia would rank if he were allowed to be ranked in our system?  After all he is still younger than Teagarden and Max. 

My feelings are very mixed as to where I would rank him and would like to see what the lonestarball nation thinks about Salty.  This is just not where he would rank among our catchers, but the whole (minor league) system.  I think he would be in the top 10, and I'll go with 6 in my personal ranks behind Feliz, Holland, Smoak, Main, and Andrus. 

Let's Discuss?  Heck even throw Chris Davis in if you want.....

Slow day for the Rangers, so I am looking for a little lonestarball help. 

Basically, I have a rewards credit card and have not received my reward gift card to Lowes in which I earned points for and redeemed.  I called the credit card company and they said since it is after 90 days they cannot review this and will not send me the card.  Again, they confirmed that I redeemed my points and it is not their fault I did not receive the card and they will not do anything about it.  Also, I asked the customer service if they can show me where I signed the paper/contract  that says they notify the customer of the 90 day policy and he said he could not and that they again could not research anything after 90 days. 

I know it is dumb to get a lawyer to fight this for a $100 Lowe's gift card, but it is principle and I am frustrated.  Can someone give me some advice or at least the proper question to ask to make them feel uneasy?

Any help or ideas would be a huge help!!

With Michael Young either moving to 3rd base or traded to start the season, who will be the shortstop on opening day?  We all know that Elvis Andrus will take over SS when he is ready.  However, is Elvis ready to start the season at SS?  If not who do we go with at short and how long do we wait for Elvis to be called up?  If 2010 is the year we are expecting to compete then surely Elvis plays at least half the season, so why not all of it. 

What does everyone else think?

Start the season with Andrus.

Sign a low-price veteran for the year.

Low price vet and Elvis comes up at the All-Star break or sooner.

Discuss?

Getting ready to get my Frisco tickets for 2009 and just wanting to know what the Lone Star nation thought the Rotation and Lineup would look like for the Roughriders.

I'm guessing these are locks.  3B - Whittleman, C - Pena

What does the rest of the rotation/lineup look like?

Does Feliz and Holland spend another month in AA?

Can Smoak start in Frisco?

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