because the baseball executive world laughed a lot at the Yankees giving ARod an even more expensive contract than the one the Rangers did.

Same thing with the Mavericks in the NBA.

Where do I start? First off, let me calm Rev’s nerves – you won’t have to worry about us signing Manny…very doubtful that happens. Mostly because of the money. And while he’s an upgrade over Hank, we still have Blalock pencilled in at DH until we (hopefully) trade him to Minnesota or San Fran. So Milton’s departure that others have mentioned opening the DH door isn’t really all that accurate. Second, Carlos Lee was not the jewel of that Cordero trade. Nor was Nelson Cruz, who still has one final chance to make an impact. It was the draft picks we picked up in return. The Gagne signing was outstanding, and led to not Murph or Gabbard, but Engel Beltre as the centerpiece of that trade – look him up http://www.minorleagueball.com/2008/12/18/697246/engel-beltre.

Harrison’s going to be a decent starter for us, maybe as high as a # 3, but you sure missed the main parts of that trade: Elvis Andrus (BA’s # 19 prospect in 2008 – with at least 11 of those ahead of him currently off that list for 2009), Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Neftali Feliz – who in case you didn’t know, has the best fastball in the minor leagues – are all better bets to have an impact on this team, and that’s not saying that Harrison won’t be a good starter. Either way, those four will be major cogs for this team starting in 2009, and sticking around for a good while.

We’re done crying about the past…I give the Angels 2009, and if Vlad and Torii don’t start falling apart, maybe even 2010, because you have a beautiful rotation – but something tells me you’re going to miss K-rod, and you will be stung by losing out on re-signing Teixeira or failing to pick up another impact bat. Look out for Derek Holland and Feliz to make a major splash at some point this year, a revived bullpen, improved defense and an even more opportunistic but equally lethal offense in 2009 with catchers that can actually hit, and a steady run of true pitching prospects in the future.

Best of luck

They can rectify it with money, few else can.

i can’t think of any major headline stories in the last week or so about something like that.

Manny will play wherever he can get the biggest payday. Plus, there’s no state income tax in Texas……the heat won’t scare him off.

Although that’s not the primary reason Manny is unlikely to end up in Arlington. If you are watching (and I doubt it makes actual news over there) the questions on additions to payroll are more centered on Ben Sheets (RHP with injury questions) and possibly either Chad Cordero or bring Guardado back in the pen. Andrus is penciled in at SS, Young moves to 3B, and JD is trying to get Omar Visquel (mentor Andrus and/or improve infield defense in general). The pitchers who have attracted so much attention are both probably still a year away (Feliz and Holland), but are very very good (best I’ve seen in many years in the minors). Don’t know for sure he can do so, but Nelson Cruz is penciled in the 4 hole and RF. He is a product of the Milwaukee deal. Changed his approach at the end of 2007 and has (small sample + AAA + Dominican Winter League) destroyed pitchers, includin those MLB pitchers who went to the DWL this winter. He, Hamilton, and Davis do offer quite a bit of power.

Looking forward to the 2009 season – but I don’t think Manny will be wearing Ranger laundry.