More Odds And Ends: Rays, Rangers, Burnett, Pirates

i completely agree with rangersvoice. i don't believe hicks will shell out much money for any other free-agents outside CC, but i definitely think Hicks will use his pocketbook to the fullest extent to try and persuade CC.

If Neftali Feliz pans out as a top of the rotation power arm by 2010, the Rangers could have a formidable rotation. I also see the Rangers making a run at John Lackey next offseason if for some reason he doesn't resign with the Angels. He's a native Texan (which the Rangers love) and he probably wouldn't mind being in a Rangers uniform if he thought they could actually contend.

If you are a Rangers optimist, things possibly look very bright in the somewhat near future. I'm not saying they are heavy favorites by any means, but with their solid foundation of young players (Kinsler, Davis, Hamilton is under 30, and Young isn't that old either) they could easily compete in the coming years. The M's are rebuilding, the A's have a long way to go also, and the Angels are getting older, so hopefully the Rangers can start to shine in the AL.

What a turn of events it will be say in 2010 if it is the Rays in the East, Rangers in the West, and probably Minnesota in the Central. Outrageous!

AJ is looking like he is gonna opt out for sure. The wins keep piling up and the era keeps dropping, remember at the all star break he was around a 5.20 era. I suspect by the end of the year it will be around 4.

"If your a Rangers fan you have to be excited that your winning with a very young team. They have young pitching coming soon and could be in the running for C.C."

Agreed. If this team had atleast decent pitching this year, they would still be in it. That said, I dont even think you can consider Texas a darkhouse for the guy, they will be a big player. In the end it will come down to $$$, but CC has made the comments this year that going to a "big market" city might not be what he is looking for. Again, its all about the $$$, but if Texas were to match what the Yanks throw after him, I think he goes to Texas.

Could you just image how good these rangers could me with pitching. I really hope that we sign a decent pitcher, but given our track record about getting decent pitchers to pitch in out ball park it doesnt look good. Even Grant has said that in the best situation he thinks the rangers will get Ben sheet, and trade for zack greinke. I think that would be good. Sheet does after all have a home in dallas

misfit Rangers-

Sheets is definitely a possibility. I could absolutely see the Rangers being the high bidder; particularly if the Yankees win out on CC. Greinke, however, is highly unlikely. I just don't see the Royals parting with a potential ace. I'm not going to say it's impossible, given the state of the Rangers' farm system (loaded), but it would cost some SERIOUS talent. You ready to see Texas trade Crush Davis and Derek Holland or something of the like? 'Cause I fear that's what it would take. You guys are better off going after a big FA name this winter and waiting out the big guns down on the farm; you got some beauts.