Just throwing some names out there that have and haven't been discussed (some with good reason)... I'm making a list and anyone I forget, throw in there and we can discuss the probability/level of desire for that player to sign with the Rangers.

In no order:
• D. Lee
• P. Konerko
• V. Guerrero
• L. Scott
• L. Overbay
• A. LaRoche
• J. Werth
• L. Berkman
• J. Thome
• T. Wigginton
• J. Damon
• B. Hawpe
• M. Ordonez
• M. Thames

Anyone interest you that we haven't really discussed? I like what Thome did last year, but I think he's pushing 60 and I don't see why the Twins wouldn't want him back.

Or we could get real crazy and talk P. Fielder trade packages... Let the party begin!

I forgot about J. Cust as well who just got cut loose by Oakland.

And Manny?

I personally have no interest whatsoever in Prince Fielder.

Cust interests me @ the right price.

And I'd rather pursue Werth than Crawford in the event Lee gets away and the club has money to burn.

I'd take a long, hard look at Derrek Lee

Of that list, being honest, I would rather resign Guerrero than all the others.

Marktown, why no interest at all in Fielder? For me it would depend on the cost in trade, but the guy is a masher.

I'd be interested in less expensive options like Jack Cust, or even Marcus Thames to platoon with David Murphy. I'd not be interested in spending significant resources on Paul Konerko. I think a Murphy/Thames platoon, or Cust could provide comparable production without costing much money.

Use all financial flexibility on Lee and/or Greinke.

D. Lee interests me too. He's still got a good glove and he usually sports a high OBP, although he had an off year last year, he's 35 and you would think after last year, likely to take a one year incentive based contract (although he is represented by Casey Close, Jeter's agent, and likely to ask for multiple years, I would guess in the $10M neighborhood)... His last contract was 5/$65M

I've watched quite a few Cubs games over the past few years and I've noticed that his swing has slowed down and he doesn't catch up to the fastball like he used to, but that just comes with age, no? He didn't seem to get the ball up and out of the park like he's capable of doing, but he did still hit 35 doubles and he drove the ball well at times. He's still a smart player, a team leader and a good hitter -- and I think he might be a risk that pays off.

Here's an article for the saber stat lovers about Lee's down year last year: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/derrek-lees-down-year/

I've always been a fan of the guy and wish him well wherever he goes, but why not do well in a Rangers uniform? I can't picture it... but I'd be willing to try.

@T-Ball, When I think Prince Fielder I see Mo Vaughn. His decline was very rapid and many believe it was his body shape/size that was a prime cause. I just would be really cautious about him. I believe he'll want a $20 mill yearly package on the open market and the Brewers wouldn't let him go for peanuts. I just think it would take too much to get him when first base isn't our biggest area of need.

That having been said, I'm not as deep into everyone's stats as the normal BBTIA reader so if the stats say he's gonna be great till age 32 then I'm open to it.

I think as far as DH goes, I'd give even more than my original ceiling of $6.5 mil to Vlad for a 1 yr deal. If we get a DH for more than one yr it would need to be a Konerko type who can also play defense. I wouldn't get Vlad for more than one year simply because if MY's defense continues to erode then this time next year I think he'll HAVE to be our DH and we'd be handcuffing ourselves having Vlad here and needing to do something with MY.

I bet if we wait we could get Xust for $3.5m, and he'd give us fantastic WAR/$$$. Use the extra to pursue pitching.

I like that idea of Cust, he's a HR/Walk/Strikeout kind of guy, but if we only start him against lefties.

Last year he put up a .285/.410/.470 line vs. lefties
For his career he has a .253/.387/.480 line vs. lefties

If he could split the difference between those two, I'd love to have him on the cheap.

An article from FanGraphs on Cust: http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/cust-cut-loose-by-oakland/

Does anyone think that he can have an offensive resurgence by playing the The Ballpark and getting out of Oakland? Not that Oakland is bad for LH power hitters.

Looking at FanGraphs Bill James projects Derrek Lee at .278/23/84 with over 600 at bats. Mitch Moreland would project about the same numbers given 600 at bats...maybe better. I still think Guerrero is a good match for us.

@Marktown - but Fielder would be fine if you didn't extend him. Just take his 2011 contract year and let him walk. He doesn't have a no-trade clause and can't demand an extension to waive it, so you'd have him on a one year, $10.5M deal. Depending on the price in prospects, I'm very interested in that.

Really, though, I think the Rangers might be fine rolling with Moreland as their primary 1B and get someone to spell him some against lefties rather than give up a bunch of pitching for Fielder. I have zero interest in making Fielder a Ranger for several years.

Guerrero gets no love whatsoever. Texas wouldn't have made it without him when Borbon and Davis struggled badly then Kinsler, Cruz and Hamilton missed so much time.
Name a Ranger full-time DH in history to hit .300 with 29 HR and 115 RBI....how many have there been?
He has flaws but others strike out way too much. At least Vlad makes contact and he scares the hell out of everybody because no matter what they throw it could turn into a mistake. We have speed and outfielders so Vlad doesn't need to do that well.
Get a clue and quit being so hard on a likable HOF guy. He isn't asking for a great deal of money like the ones getting 12-15 million per, he just wants to know he has two more years of cash coming his way. I think he's the most dangerous bat and best bargain around.

David in Wisconsin speaks basically my same opinion.

I think a lot of us who don't want Vlad back expect an entire season of his 2nd half. In other words, we think he's done. His bat has slowed, and his impatient approach won't play without exceptional bat speed.

I loved seeing Vlad in a Ranger uniform. I think he brought alot to the club and did a great job. There is no doubt he struggled in the second half and playoffs. I believe if we gave him more rest he would be fine. For weeks at a time Vlad was relied on to carry this offense. Because of injuries to Cruz and , his role grew even larger. If we resign Vlad I think Ron needs to give him more days off (instead of "hitting his way through a slump,") and bat Vlad 5th. Put Cruz in the 4 hole protecting Josh, and Vlad can protect Cruz, who can put up great numbers if he stays healthy. I don't want to give Vlad 2 years but I'd rather dothat than EVER EVER EVER sign Jack Cust or Marcus Thames.

Cust is a career .830 OPS hitter with considerable ability to hit righties. For 1 yr/$3mil you wouldn't rather have him than Vlad?

I would much rather have Vlad than Cust. its not even close in my mind.

Would you rather have Vlad for $8.5m or Cust for $3.5m and, let's say, Brandon Webb for $5m?