Texas Notes: Davis, Luhnow, Cardinals

While still in last place in the AL West, the Astros have played much better of late, going 7-3 in their last ten games.  Meanwhile, the Rangers have won three in a row and currently sit one game back of the first place Athletics.  Needless to say, there could be plenty of deadline news coming out of the Lone Star State.  Here's tonight's notes from the Texas teams..

• Buster Olney of ESPN breaks down the Chris Davis deal that sent the current home run leader from the Rangers to the Orioles (Subscription Required and Recommended).  Rangers GM Jon Daniels reflected on the trade, saying "I feel comfortable with the decision-making process that led us there. The result is obviously not in our favor, but the process wasn't bad.”
• The Rangers and Cardinals both were able to do well in free agency in recent years, opines Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. According to Miklasz, the two clubs have built impressive farm systems and maintained impressive payroll flexibility by letting their most expensive free agents move on to other teams.
• The Astros have built a farm system that GM Jeff Luhnow is pleased with, reports Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle.  The only club that Lunhow would trade farm systems with is, unsurprisingly, the Cardinals.  Lunhow played a pivotal role in drafting and developing both organizations.