As I've been reading all around the internet this week, I keep seeing references by quite a few different reporters who's rumors, articles, tweets, etc have a common line included: "Rangers officials believe they can contend in 2010."

If that's the case and the Rangers believe they can put a division, pennant, or World Series contending team on the field this season, what better way to get out of financial problems than to get butts in the seats by running out a rotation featuring Johnson, Hardin, Sheets, Feldman, and Holland? 

Looking at the happenings that have gone on this week, I believe this rotation IS possible for this season. Hardin is already in the bag at $7.5 of the 8 or 9 we saved in the Millwood deal. We all know Sheets was supposed to be here last season and spent the whole year rehabbing with Rangers personnel in the Arlington area. The Rangers are/were hoping to sign him to an incentives laden contract and it's believed Sheets won't sign until later this winter.  Tom HIcks said he hopes to have the sell of the team done before the end of the year. If that were to happen, the Rangers may be in position to spend money a little later assuming Sheets is still on market. Finally, Johnson would cost the Rangers the most in prospects, but perhaps the least in dollars. We've seen the package they've rumored to have already offered (Smoak, Feliz) which was apparently turned down. That's TWO top ten prospects in ALL OF BASEBALL. The Marlins don't want to deal Johnson and from what I read, were looking for a package of "at least FIVE prospects." So, here's my deal for Johnson. Chris Davis, Matt Harrison, Eric Hurley, Blake Beavan, Jose Vallejo and Wilfredo Boscan. There's no top 10 prospects, but there's two major league ready starters, a potential replacement for Uggla, an elite lower level arm and a big power bat that could help replace Uggla's. 

Trading Hurley and Harrison will help alleviate the log jam at the #4 and #5 spot with Feldman, Holland, Hunter, McCarthy, Wilson, Feliz, and Nippert still sitting there looking for an opportunity and Perez and Kiker potentially knocking on the door.  This would also clear the way for a potential Lowell trade to man first while Smoak develops in the minors for the first half of the season.

If you assume the rotation is Johnson, Hardin, Sheets, Feldman, and Holland, that makes the bullpen include CJ, BMac, Nippert, Feliz, Ray, and Francisco with Hunter as the long man. 

Sure would be a nice rotation and a REALLY nice bullpen. 

The Rangers need pitching. The Giants need offense.

They'll talk about Hank Blalock, one source said. The Giants need a power bat. The Rangers are interested in the Giants starting pitching. They like Matt Cain but the Giants aren't going to part with him for Blalock. The Rangers may target Jonathan Sanchez instead.

Is a deal possible? Who knows but these two teams are expected to talk.

-- T.R. Sullivan

Add a prospect or two and bring back Cain!!!!!!!

What is the organization going to do with Chris Davis? 

I love what this guy has done on his way to The Ball Park in Arlington. I've loved what he's done since he's arrived. I would LOVE to keep him for the long-term. 

We all know the problem though. His large body isn't ideal to play average defense at the third base position. If the the Rangers pick up Blalock's option, he might be blocked at the first base spot. Even if Bradley isn't brought back, Davis' tenure at first base might be short-lived depending on the advancement of Justin Smoak. 

I don't think the best thing for the Rangers long-term would be to have a sub-par 3rd baseman opposite Smoak. I also think it would be a waste of talent to put the 23 yr old at DH for the rest of his career as well. I think Chris Davis NEEDS to be a first baseman. So, what would be the best thing for the Rangers to do with this guy?

Should he be traded for a top 3B prospect? Traded for pitching and let the Rangers promote from within at 3B? Keep him as the long-term 1B and make a decision on Smoak? Keep him at 3B or DH? 

This kid just seems to be a HUGE asset for the Rangers not unlike their catching surplus. I was just curious what the LSB community thought would be the best thing to do with this guy.

There doesn't seem to be too much talk about Nippert in the rotation going forward in '09. I think if he can be consistent next year with what he showed in his last outing, he could be 2009's version of Gallaraga or perhaps a lesser Cliff Lee. Lee had a 6.75 ERA last season and wasn't figured to be this good. 

This is what i remember reading when we first signed the guy:

MLBRumors.com

"Smart move by Jon Daniels tonight, as the Rangers acquired out of options pitcher Dustin Nippert from the Diamondbacks for minor league reliever Jose Marte.

Nippert, 27 in May, was said to have "top of the rotation stuff" by Baseball America in their '07 handbook.  The 6'7" TJ survivor throws in the mid-90s with a strong curve.  He hasn't had any big league success, but there's upside here.  The Rangers can afford to stash Nippert on the active roster and let him struggle in '08; the D'Backs couldn't."

*******

If McCarthy AND Nippert are supposed to have "top of the rotation stuff," to go along with Feldman, Millwood and Padilla next season, I think the pitching staff could be pretty good next year. You have to think also that the organization is going to try hard to trade for a good young pitcher during the winter (Grienke) and he'll add into the mix as well. That should give guys like Harrison, Hunter, Feliz, Holland, etc time to develop at AAA and AA the way they should. 

I haven't bought tix yet. Any suggestions on where i should sit for this game in order to scout Feliz the best? 

I'll try to give as an in-depth analysis as i possibly can LSB. I haven't seen a SA Missions game yet this year and I'm stoked to see that Feliz will get a rotation spot when they come in to San Antonio!

If y'all have any other game requests that i could fulfill as a spectator, just let me know. I'd be happy to give y'all any analysis i can. Hopefully i'll get to see Andrus and Borbon as well as Vallejo in the lineup. I'm kinda pissed that Teagarden won't be there though.

Like i said, if y'all have any suggestions or requests for me as i scout the team, just let me know.

<!--StartFragment-->

As we watch this Ranger season come to an end during the last 1/3 of the season, I thought it might be interesting to look at the 12 pitchers who are currently in the organization who are going to be vying for a rotation spot next spring. I’ve posted some stats from the Official Ranger site as of 1 A.M. August 4th.  I think who makes the rotation next year depends on who we can land as a free agent during the winter. I think if we land a Sabathia and or Sheets, the organization will probably go with a veteran staff with Millwood and Padilla filling out the #s 2&3 or 3&4 spots. That basically leaves one or two spots in the rotation to be filled with 1 or 2 of the following ten guys. Personally, I think Feldman and Mendoza have done the most to prove they belong in the Majors so far this season.

            If the Rangers fail to land a big time free agent pitcher, I wouldn’t doubt if we saw another year like this year where we constantly have “rookie” pitchers filling out the rotation. I guess they will probably keep Millwood in the rotation because he has a couple years left on his contract and I doubt he’ll have much trade value for the Rangers during the winter. Padilla on the other hand will have some trade value for the Rangers if they package him with a catcher for something. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a rotation of Millwood, Feldman, Mendoza, Hurley and McCarthy if they went this route.

The Texas Rangers Rotation: Just my take on things

Kevin Millwood

I really don’t care if he WAS an “innings eater,” Millwood has been disappointing as an “Ace.” While he didn’t call himself that, the Rangers failed to bring in some better pitching, so the role as the franchise’s #1 guy fell in his lap. If Millwood were a #3, 4, or 5 guy, I probably wouldn’t be so disappointed. But nobody with a 6-6 record and 5.40 ERA should be considered a #1 pitcher. I would like to see him gone, but his contact and recent performance will probably make that prospect unlikely. I expect him to be our 2009 opening day starter after the Rangers fail to bring in anyone better, yet again.

 Vincente Padilla

It’s really hard to complain about a guy who has won 12 games. But, I know y’all have been watching the same Padilla I have and know why this guy frustrates me so much because I’m sure y’all feel the same way. I hope teams look at his win/loss record when we try to trade this guy and not his ERA. I wouldn’t mind keeping Padilla as a #4 or #5 guy, but I can’t handle him at #2 behind Millwood.

Brandon McCarthy- 2008 Stats N/A

I still like McCarthy. I know Danks is really starting to come around for the ChiSox, but everyone in Chicago was pissed that McCarthy was traded and the consensus was that the Rangers won in this trade when it was first executed. I think once McCarthy gets himself right, he’s going to be a solid pitcher and eventually be a good #2 or #3 pitcher. But on the other hand, McCarthy really needs to step up and show the Rangers he can stay healthy before the Rangers give him a rotation spot. There is too much competition right now to just hand this guy a rotation spot. He should earn it like the others are having to do.

 Kason Gabbard

I don’t know about this guy. From the stuff that I’ve seen from him compared to what the rest of our young pitchers have, I don’t think his value to this team is worth anything more than trade bait. The best Gabbard could shoot for during his career is a spot in some rotation as a #3 pitcher. Personally, I think he’ll settle as a #4 or 5 guy or even a long relief pitcher. I don’t think he has the stuff to beat out five, six or even seven of our other young pitchers. He could be another guy to include in a trade package with one of our catchers.

 Scott Feldman

I think Scott Feldman needs another season as a starter before the Rangers can really get a good grasp of what kind of pitcher this guy is going to be. On the high end, he could be a solid #2 or 3 guy with the movement on his fastball being similar to that of Halliday. Halliday doesn’t have an overpowering fastball, but the command he has of his pitches is second to none. If Feldman can throw his pitches where he wants with two fastballs that move in two different directions and a nice slider, there’s no reason to think this guy can’t hand in the middle of the Ranger rotation for a long time.

 Luis Mendoza

Mendoza has showed himself to be if nothing else, the most durable of the Rangers’ young pitchers. I honestly think this guy is going to blow Armando Gallaraga out of the water. As soon as Mendoza can realize his potential and start commanding his pitches, he will find a permanent spot on the Rangers’ staff. Period. I think he has the stuff to be anywhere from a #2 to a #5 guy. It all just depends on how good the Rangers’ younger guys are.

 Eric Hurley

Hurley, like Mendoza has the stuff to claim a permanent spot in the rotation. He’s only pitched 25 innings this season so he needs to prove he can stay healthy before the Rangers should hand him a rotation spot.

 Doug Mathis

It’s been so long since we’ve seen this guy pitch. It’s kind of hard to believe he’s only pitched 2 1/3 innings less than Hurley. I honestly don’t know what to say about this guy. I haven’t seen him pitch enough to comment. But he’s averaging less than 3 innings a start with a 6.85 ERA. This guy really needs to get healthy if he has plans on making the rotation next season.

 Jason Jennings

Pass. I really had high hopes for this guy at the beginning of the season but I’d rather give a rotation spot to a rookie worth developing.

 Matt Harrison

The Joe Blanton starter kit. I was impressed with his first start and I think he had some great stuff against the Angels. I just haven’t seen it again since. I really think he has the talent to be in the rotation for a long time, just like Hurley, Mendoza, McCarthy, and Feldman. Although, with the talent in the organization, I don’t know if he’ll ever get higher than a #4 or 5 when all is said and done.

 Tommy Hunter

I think Hunter had an impressive debut. In fact, other than Harrison’s debut, I think Hunter’s first game was the best of the rookies. He got hit hard, but he sucked it up, went back out there and shut them down. In fact, he lasted longer than his veteran counter part. I really liked Hunter. I think he had the best stuff out of all the rookie pitchers. I really will be surprised if he gets sent back down this season. I think Hunter is going to really surprise some people over the final third of the season.

I don’t know if this season could have gone any better for a team looking to develop pitching or wanting to see how several different pitchers perform at the big league level. It kind of sucks that it had to happen in a year where at least some semblance of a professional staff probably would have us leading the wild card at the very least. It really does suck that we have the worst ERA in the majors to go along with the best offense. If we had just an average staff, we’d be killer.

Anyway, based on what we’ve seen in 2007 and 2008, I really think we will see four of the following pitchers in the 2009 rotation. If you look at these pitchers, which would you kick out if you had only four spots to fill? Which would you send down if you have only 2 or even 1 spot fill? The Rangers are going to be in a tough spot next year when all these guys come back healthy and if they can’t trade away some guys and even more of a problem if they bring in one or two big free agents.

 But I really would like to know which of these guys you’d like to keep and which you’d like to trade and which you’d like to send down.

Feldman

Harrison

Hunter

Hurley

Mathis

McCarthy

Mendoza

My guess in order will be:

Feldman

Mendoza

Hunter

McCarthy

Harrison

Hurley

Mathis

<!--EndFragment-->

"Batting Practice May Be Better Than Game"
By: Jennifer Floyd Engel

...Talking to Michael Young has me a little -- just a little -- concerned that he is not going to be a Ranger next season. What is crazy is he wants to be, and the Rangers want him to be, but their collective timing might just be a little off. Young is ready to be on a winner, like yesterday, while the Rangers are realistically a year, possibly two, away. So it is reasonable to see them reaching a point where they have to say goodbye.

And, yes, there are other teams that would be interested in Young at his salary. He is underrated and partly because he plays for the Rangers. We tend to bestow greatness tags on players who have done it in the postseason.
*********

What.....The......Hell.....

Are we serious here? Is this really a possibility this season? I'm not in the circles some of you guys are. Is Michael Young really THAT unhappy with the Rangers chances that he would want to be traded this year?

If this IS a possibility, who would be likely trading partners and who would we want from them in return?

P.S. I'm sorry if this is already being talked about somewhere else.

We have a few things that could go down this offseason that could make the Rangers contenders in the AL West while we wait for our super prospects to mature.

To start, we should do what we could to sign Torri Hunter. Our payroll is small and could absorb a contract like his...and Padilla's for that matter.

Next, we try to bring in Willis. While he's not the ace that Santana would be, he's a good pitcher and may cost less than some think. I could see a package of Laird, Teagarden, Arias, and perhaps Mayberry Jr. as enough to land him. They get a catcher for now and later, a top tier SS prospect and a good OF prospect.

While we're talking to the Marlins, see if we can't trade them Padilla and offer to swallow part of his contract for a prospect of something.

Next, let's go after Shea Hillenbrand or Sean Casy. Both would provide enough pop from the first base side to warrant a 2 or 3 year deal.

The next question is whether or not we think Byrd and Murphy are the future at the corner spots for Texas. If not, we could take a look at Kosuke Fukudome who seems to be pretty adept to getting on base and perhaps Eric Hinske.

I, personally don't want to see Texas go after anymore FA starting pitching...unless Kenny Rogers would like to come on the cheap. That, not withstanding, Texas should look at only relief pitching. I'd like to see Kerry Wood and also Eric Gagne come back to Texas.

After waiting and watching some, i'd like to see:

C-Jarrod Saltalamacchia
1B-Shea Hillenbrand/ Sean Casey
2B-Ian Kinsler
SS-Michael Young
3B-Travis Metcalf
LF-Byrd/Fukudome
CF-Tori Hunter
RF-Murphy/Hinske
DH-Blalock

Bench:
German Duran
Ramon Vasquez
Frank Cattalanotto
Jason Botts
(FA backup catcher)

Rotation:
Millwood
Willis
McCarthy
Gabbard
Volquez

RP:
C.J. Wilson
Kam Loe
Aki Otsuka
Kerry Wood
Juaquin Benoit
Eric Gagne

Just my .02. I'd pay to see this team play. If our young pitching begins to realize it's potential, it could take some of the pressure off the 2 big guys at the top, and with relievers like those, it's not like our starters would HAVE to go 7 or 8 innings to give us a chance to win.

Assuming we keep our guys in the system and don't trade any away, what will our lineup look like after these kids get to the majors? Who are the 5 pitchers and position players once we've "rebuilt" this team? Besides Saltalmacchia, Kinsler or Metcalf, i don't want to see any current names in the lineup. And besides McCarthy, i don't want to see any current names in the rotation.

I understand that this is a pipe dream and things aren't this clean cut, but what is the best team we could put on the field in 2011 using ONLY our farm system?