junglejim

One thing that bothers me about the price being driven up basically 60 mil by Cuban/Crane only to let it go anyway, is that this is money that could have been available for the team. Add that on top of all the expenses Greenberg/Ryan have had to spend since being announced as the owners about six months ago just to close the deal, and it would have given a lot more spending money for the team.

It will work itself out and Cantu will end up with the bulk of the time at first, although Moreland has spanked the ball pretty well in a small sample. Another good thing about Moreland is he can also play in the outfield. While we are pretty well set out there and letting Vlad have a little time in the field as well, you never know when you will need the depth.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dw...le.2cc4cc9.html Another reason I hope Ryan/Greenberg are able to get the team. Monarch is using Cuban / Crane / whoever to drive up the price so they will get more money. "Yeah we will loan you some money so we get more, and you get the debt". Cuban needs to step back and think about getting caught up in this type of deal. I am afraid the excitement of getting the team may cloud his judgment and cause him to act impulsively, which would not be good for the team. The players respect Nolan and have confidence that he is acting in their best interest. Monarch feels the same about Cuban, without the respect portion. "Rant Over"

This is where he should have been all along. He is simply a very talented young player, who is not ready yet. The Rangers were desperate to get some offensive production out of 1st base, and game him a shot. It is a lot of pressure on a kid, the high expectations, people saying he was only here "because of his contract", on top of facing pitchers who get the scouting report on him after he gets a few at-bats. Time will tell if he meets his potential. As a side note, Cantu looks good at first. Flashed some leather last night and can handle the bat.

I see a lot of folks calling it "Cliffmas" recently.

That is my fear. I can see Nolan having his morning cup at the house and telling his wife, "Baby that Cuban is running me ####! I can't take it anymore!" While Cuban has been a good owner for the Mavs, he doesn't strike me as very patient or a fan of a building process. It took some patience to build our farm system to the envy of the league. As far as the spending, he has made several comments recently about the deal having to make financial sense and not being a fan of owning a non-profitable operation. He might not be a wild spender. In an ideal world, Ryan - Greenberg get the team. If that can't happen, Cuban gets the team and say "Nolan, you have this thing going the right way. Keep on doing it and I will provide the means necessary when you see an opportunity". The realist in me doesn't see that happening.

Guzman knew when the trade was made that he would be backing up Kinsler when healthy, and approved the trade. He originally vetoed the trade (which was his right) for family reasons, but changed his mind when he considered the opportunity. I don't think hard feelings will be an issue since he was fully informed. AND, "I forgot Lee"!!! when we are discussing our trades? In the words of Tom Jackson "Come on, Man!" I apologize, Cheapy, for the football reference in the baseball forum. :blush: Enjoy the Redhawk game 5-0

I am glad Molina is here. Treanor is hurt. I can't agree that we were as good before the trades. I haven't heard much yelling to send Cliff Lee back yet. When the club rolled out in April, it was not the "same team". We added Vlad, D. Oliver, Colby Lewis, Chris Ray, Harden and on and on. This is still my team. We did a magnificent job of acquiring minor league talent to benefit this team in multiple ways, and one way is to have players other teams covet enough to make trades beneficial to us. You won't hear Michael Young, who hasn't sniffed the playoffs in 10 dedicated years, saying not to improve this club. Who knows what the next year will bring, but we know where we are now. I also underestimated the Yanks. SI says their payroll is $213,359,389 compared to our approx 65 million.

Hey, any reason to hate the Yanks is a good one!

But at the same time, if they don't make a move to improve the team when they have a chance, they will be blamed for that as well. I guarantee you that the players on this team welcome a trade that enhances their chances at the postseason and success in it. And I will always keep the right to criticize and despise the Yanks. I don't think you can compare our tactics to a team with 3 times our payroll. When we get close to 200 million in payroll instead of about 65, let the comparisons begin.

I may be wrong, but I don't think Nolan stays if Cuban buys the team.

This is the Rangers. The two new players made the final play with Guzman making a nice stop up the middle. Just because they're new and it is a new look shouldn't make them not your team. Whoever stole Harden's jersey can keep it.

Hamilton is a late scratch from the line-up with the sore knee. Says he can only take two cortisone shots in the same spot in a year, and needs to save his second one so it will last through October. They think with a day off here and there he can get by till then. Time for his teammates to pick him up. He's been doing some heavy lifting for them lately. Another reason to have quality bench players.

For me it is very simple. I look at where this team was, especially pitching-wise, before Nolan got involved and see where we are now. Nuff said.

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/texas-range...chia-to-red-sox Goodbye and good luck Salty http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/texas-range...uin-arias-on-dl Arias is put on the DL again to make room, remember how he had a "back strain" on the plane to Seattle when Kinsler was activated off the DL last time? Guzman is a former 2 time all star and can play second or short.

While Moreland is just a rookie and will struggle, he does have a little "something" and can spell Cantu and play outfield if needed. He doesn't have that uppercut swing that seems to make it harder to center the ball. A couple of pics from Surprise this year:

While Moreland is only up because Kinsler is on the DL, he was talked about quite a bit this spring. I was lucky enough to be in Surprise at the end of spring training and saw him play in a game. He hit the ball very hard. While I am typing he smokes one to the wall in center for a looong out sandwiched in between Murph and Teagarden home runs.

The fact is that rookies have to endure some treatment as a rite of passage. Surely you see the haircuts the rookie offensive linemen on this team get every year!!! Carrying the vets pads is a part of it. Have you so quickly forgotten why Dez fell so far in the draft that we got him? Character issues. How many games did he play last year for Okie State?................ What Dez needs to do is what all rookies do........ carry pads, sing in the lunch room, or whatever else is required. He will not help himself by trying the "I'm talented and everyone is drooling over me so I don't have to do it". Hopefully Brooking or someone else will "help" him see that he hasn't earned the right to do squat yet, and he will see that it is a team game and not the Dez show. We have had enough of those who believe their talent gives them the right to make their own rules. "Rant Off"

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=5409169 Doesn't look like a huge upgrade, and the Angels gave up quite a bit to get him.

Exactly, just look at the other teams we will compete against. ALL of them have a starter or two their fans would like to see gone. CNNSI or ESPN had someone ranking the starting staffs of the possible playoff teams recently, and we stacked up pretty well. It would be great to have 5 consistent, always dependable starters, but a lot of teams that were still standing at the end did not.

To be fair though, Smoak is gone because the M's demanded him, not because the Rangers were looking to unload him. If the Mariners would have wanted Davis instead of Smoak, your formula is reversed. Apparently the Mariners thought Smoak had more than Davis, and the Rangers held out to the last minute trying not to give him up. Now that I am through being objective and fair, I hope Davis 'finds it" and has the best second half of the season in history. Regardless of how strong our line-up is, your 1st baseman needs to hit, and somedays it will be his turn to carry his struggling teammates. I hope he does it.

I am curious as to how many 1-0 Ballgames have EVER been played in this ballpark. I bet the number is low.

Yep, about a week ago it was "he stinks!", "got nothing left" and the Rangers were idiots for the trade. Now it's "he's the man!". I think Grieve got it right when he said it took Molina a little bit to get comfortable on the new team and he was probably pressing a little. If he hits .265 with a few dingers the rest of the way and handles the pitchers well, he has done his job. Anything above that would be gravy. There is also value in adding another guy who has "been there, done that" to a young team trying to step into the playoffs.

I say wish them both well, except when we play the M's. I can't even remember who currently plays 1st for Seattle, but Smoak would benefit from finishing the year in their minors. I do find it interesting (according to Buster Olney) that Seattle told the Rangers "include Smoak and the deal is done". Hopefully we will be happy that they insisted on Smoak and made no mention of Davis. Davis hopefully will start strong and be able to relax. Hitting is such a mental game. Guys go for crazy streaks where they can hit anything or not hit a beach ball.

Dallas MN says he is out for the year with back issues.