A federal judge's ruling could limit the Rangers' ability to make major moves this summer, but the team is playing so well that a big acquisition hardly seems necessary. Rangers GM Jon Daniels will explore the starting pitching market regardless of how quickly his team's sale goes through. Rich Harden and Derek Holland are recovering from injuries, so the Rangers will consider adding pitching reinforcements, though their chances of getting a star like Roy Oswalt seem to be shrinking.
The Rangers have won nine consecutive games and are tied with the Rays for the second-best record in the game. Are the Rangers a good team? Yes. The answer to today's poll question isn't as obvious.
Do the Rangers need to make a trade?
Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.
In spite of the fact they are leading the AL West, they haven’t proven themselves against the likes of the Yankees and Red Sox, and I believe they were even swept by the Twins. The long winning streak has mostly been against pretty lowly teams. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit if they fade away just as the A’s have. Perhaps they would benefit from a trade?
The Rangers have struggled so far against good teams on the road. That is true. By the same token, they can’t be compared to the A’s. They are a much better team than the A’s. Yes, they’ve won 12 of their past 13 against bad teams, but I don’t see any other teams out there doing the same when they play bad teams. They’ve done what you need to do when you play teams with losing records, you beat up on them. They deserve credit for that. But they do need to prove they can beat a good team on the road, or at least play .500 ball away from home against teams with winning records.
Well…. with Hamilton, and Smoak hitting now, their hitting is better than okay… terrific.
Colby Lewis, CJ Wilson, Tommy Hunter and then… Feldman and Harden (who are not very good)… yea, they could probably use a starting pitcher, and they’d probably have to be a pretty good one too. They do need a proven pitcher with experience based on their rotation, and Lee and Oswalt both fit that bill… and it also takes a pretty good pitcher to be good in Texas…
I for one would love Texas to become desperate for a starting pitcher, maybe it would increase the chances we could get Smoak back in a Lee trade
good luck with that
I’d want the GM to ask the players that question, and their manager. If they are all in agreement, whatever the decision, then proceed in accordance.
I heard and interesting scenario on 710 ESPN Seattle yesterday from Buster Olney. They were talking about how the Rangers are going to be severly hinder on adding payroll for the trade deadline. He opines that Seattle could take Rich Harden off their hands to make a trade involving Cliff Lee feasible financially. But in turn Seattle would get a better prospect package.
Now that’s an interesting deal.
Harden/Holland or Ramirez/Davis/? for Lee?
May seem like a lot but Harden has been horrid this year…and that’s when he’s not injured. And I can see Jack demanding one of the two young stud pitchers in return plus a project like Davis and maybe more…
It seems that yesterday’s ruling has been severely overblown by the media. It also seems that things should be able to proceed as planned, and the Rangers will still be able to shift the ownership powers to Greenberg/Ryan before the trade deadline.
Check this out, if you haven’t already.
link to bbtia.com
Let’s put it this way, if the goal is to just reach the playoffs then no. Right now they’re easily the best AL West team on or off paper. However if they want to pass the first round of the playoffs then dear god yes. First round they’ll probably have to play New York, Boston, or Tampa Bay. All teams with superior pitching staffs with an offense that can crush any mistake.
Everyone is saying the Yankees are getting Cliff Lee at the end of this year anyways… So why not make a run at signing him under the notion that he would be the staff ace and not just another hired mercenary. That way they could possibly trade for someone else in the meantime. Just a thought please don’t demolish me people.
You don’t give up a Holland or a Smoak for a two-month rental.
Then your chances of winning a WS are exponentially smaller. Doubt it would take Holland or Smoak anyway. But the Rangers better be more willing to give some talent to get the best pitcher in baseball at the moment. Otherwise they better be willing (able?) to take on a large contract.
The Rangers should go after Dan Haren. They have the prospects, and Haren is under control for a few more years and signed to a team friendly contract.
Check this
Astros Owner Drayton McClane has said he would take on salary to get some talent in return.
Why not Roy Oswalt Astros pay 10 Million of his Remaining Contract and Chris Johnson to the Rangers for Rich Harden, Martin Perez, Tanner Scheppers, Chris Davis and Jarod Saltlamachhia