Guys, i know this is way past us, but ive been wondering.. Would Cuban offered that 7 year? I think he would've, without Nolan around... What do you guys think (I'm just throwing this out there, since hot stove is dead)

Yes. I think he would have money-whipped Cliff. Honestly, once they decided they could afford Beltre, I became puzzled as to why Greenberg/Ryan didn't just money-whip Cliff.

Scooby, i thought the same thing, just keep lee and sign vlad or find another option, and keep young at 3rd.... I understand beltre's defense is a plus and a need for this team, but pitching wins championship

If Cuban had bought the Rangers he probably would have money whipped Cliff Lee, Soriano, Beltre and Crawford. And probably have CJ Nelly and Hamilton singed to four-five year contracts.

The answer is yes. He would of make that "big splash" and let the rest of the league know...there's a new boss on the block...and to top it off he would either go after Pujols or CC Sabathia after this season...it would of been sick if Cuban would of team up with JD.

Although I like this new ownwership wayyyy better than the previous one.

Maybe Cuban would have money whipped Cliff Lee, but we would have lost Nolan and I am not sure if he would have resign JD.
Cuban also has a goofy tendency to mess things up, I don't think he would have been a good fit in this leage.... this is not like the NBA.
Also, he would have been a partial owner, who knows how Cuban would have worked out with Jim Crane.
On the long run, I like the owners that we have.

If Cuban bought the Mavs would LBJ be playing for the Mavs?

Uh, if money were the issue, Lee wouldn't have gone to the Phils, if you remember - their offer was low. So Mark Cuban has nothing to do with it.

For the record, I'd much rather have Greenberg/Ryan owning the team than friggin Mark Cuban, who is a tool, albeit a very rich one. Hopefully he'll buy the Cubs - those two deserve each other.

@Garrett

Regarding your statement that Beltre improves the defense... but it's pitching that wins. Consider the relationship between improved defense and how that impacts EVERY pitcher on the roster.

Pitching and defense are tied to each other, not mutually exclusive concepts.

The NBA salary cap helps save Cuban from himself. Hicks was a billionaire, too, then found himself way too overextended.

@WWJDD?:

If I recall correctly, Lee specifically said that he would sign with the Rangers if a 7th year was gauranteed, but Greenberg/Ryan were unwilling to go there.

And he would have gotten him singed before that "mystery team" got involed

Meh. I don't worship Cuban like some of you lads do. It puzzles me why so many people hold him up as some kind of boy genius, a wizard of an owner who can do no wrong.