As the outfield gets healthy and is bolstered with the imminent return of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, along with the signing of much-touted prospect Leonys Martin, it would seem the grass is covered. And the infield, despite some slack-jaw errors, remains solid on paper. All that being the said, the bullpen and starting rotation remain the most pressing issues. That being said, what trades seem reasonable to predict at this point in the season? I continually hear the outlandish hope that the Mariners will continue to sink so that they will have no other option than to hand over King Felix to the Rangers. As much as I would love that too, it seems ridiculous. The King is one of the faces of their franchise, and though we got really lucky with Lee last season, do we really expect Seattle to hand over their ace to a division rival? At the same time I have an outlandish hope of my own: That Detroit bottoms out and gives up Verlander, so he could throw some no-no's for the Rangers . . . but that probably won't happen either. Yet, the more realistic trades, like for one of the better White-Sox starters, just isn't all that appealing to me. Who do you all figure to be the best and yet also most realistic trade candidates, and who do you think the Rangers are willing to fork over to seal the deal?

If we deal for anyone, I think that the bullpen should be the first upgrade. Especially if Ogando continues to start. We really miss him in the pen right now.

Try to get Benoit back maybe?

Why would you want Benoit and his abortive contract?

San Diego has some good bullpen arms - although you always wonder how they'll do outside their pitcher's heaven park. Adam Eaton looked pretty good in SD, I mean. But Heath Bell is probably okay, and they have Gregerson & Adams who also seem pretty decent.

Make a deal for the Padres' Heath Bell. More possibilites could be Jon Lackey, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathan Papelbon, Edwin Jackson, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, Chris Carpenter, Wandy Rodriguez, Erik Bedard, Joe Blanton, Jeff Niemann, and I'm sure there will be more, those are just names I speculated from the top of my head. It seems like alot of decent (no aces) players with bad contracts. Maybe we should have went all-in on Zack Greinke during the offseason.

Buehrle is one guy I do not want to deal for. He has a 15 mil option that automatically kicks in if he is traded. That's a lotta dough for a mediocre starter in a hitters ballpark like RBiA. Heath Bell will cost a ton in prospects, but if we can get him to sign a 3 year deal, I'd do it. The only Red Sox pitcher I would consider getting is Papelbon.
Edwin Jackson and Wandy Rodriguez are the highest on my list right now, Niemann is close too. I think they would all be worth the prospects considering how much longer they will be under team control and how much upside they all have.

i've already been smashed for this, previously but whatev. Never underestimate the rent a player.... My proposal is highly risky, especially considering our BP situation.... however... i say JD grabs a hold of his cajones, remembers he's got some... and go after pujols. I knnow he said he would veto any trade, but everyone knows that pujols cares about one thing... and thats another ring. and he made those statements before wainwright went down. they were pretty much a playoff lock. if they are pretty much out of contention by the deadline i say we aleast off perez, profar, beltre, kirkman/strop, for pujols and fernando salas. Albert's never played in the AL, and definately would enjoy the hitter friendliness of many of the AL parks. I think there could be a definate chance of resigning him. i say its worth a shot.

otherwise i'm all for taking a chance on injured players everyone's given up on that we could get on the cheap, ie Jake Peavy, Brian Matusz, Chris Young.

speaking of St. Louis if they keep sliding Carpenters a realistic option. I think there is no denying that we have a great line up. it just needs some adjustments made to it. our main need is a TORP and BP helps. we should aim for that. I will say this though... IF Nelson Cruz comes back strong... and remains healthy. I say we pull a trigger on a trade to bring in someone very similar, but more reliable, with less health risks. Corey Hart, Calros Quentin, Shin Soo-Choo etc.

I also think another underrated pitcher available would be R.A Dickey. i'd take a shot on him for the right price.

Regardless there doesnt appear to be anyone that is going to be majorly available that will be worth the prospects it will take to upgrade this team as needed. So we might be stuck with what we've got. But maybe some call ups will end up being the solution we need anyways. The future is now!

@ adam in longview

it was such a shame benoit didnt work out here. i dunno if it was the ball park or the heat or what. He let a lot of ppl down.

I'll tell you one name that is out there that i'd be willing to give another chance Cameron Loe. I think they gave up on him WAY to quickly.... just my opinion though

Kam Loe's situation in Texas was very similar to what is going on with Strop right now. Loe got a few spot starts if I remember correctly, but he had similar stuff coming out of the 'pen. He had a nice season last season, and has been above average so far this season. As far as bringing him back...I wouldn't do it, but it is an interesting name to bring up.

I would like to see JD make a run at KC's Soria. Probably will cost a little less than Bell, but not much, but I think he would be a nice fit in the back end of the bullpen this season, and could close when Feliz starts in 2012.

I was also thinking, and I don't want to be a pessimist (although it's difficult not to), and I think it's important to look at all angles at this point, but if the rest of May goes as the beginning has gone, we may be the ones saying goodbye to some key players: Murph, Cruz, Young, Davis, CJ, Lewis...you never know what could happen if we end up in the AL West cellar.

"it was such a shame benoit didnt work out here. i dunno if it was the ball park or the heat or what. He let a lot of ppl down."

I'm curious about what you mean by this. Benoit was a good reliever for a couple of years, then he blew out his arm, and when he was still recovering he was granted free agency, I believe because Texas didn't offer him a contract. So basically, Texas dropped him, probably thinking he was done after the rotator cuff thing. I fail to see how that's him "letting a lot of people down."

because his original intent was to become a starter. just because he was a decent reliever (i wouldnt say good) he never fulfilled his original intent of being a productive memeber of the rotation. You could say he was the original Scott Feldman... except Feldman had success as a starter, and was demoted, and really hasnt had a chance to show us what he's got as a reliever.... so maybe he's not the best example. I just cant think of anyone currently to relate. besides as Ryan pointed out, maybe Kam Loe.

Ok - I understand your point now. I do remember him coming up as a starter and not faring well, but the then he immediately succeeded in the bullpen, and gave Texas a number of pretty good years back there before he was hurt. In that respect, I wouldn't say he "let down" the team, but that he found the role that suited him best, and since then he's flourished. And his recovery from rotator cuff surgery has to be one of the great success stories there, since he's been maybe even better post-surgery than he was before!

Part of the equation is what's happening with the team - the timing of when a guy gets his chance and what he does with it when he does get that chance - and how long it takes for the team to be able to give him multiple chances.

Right now I think it pointless to think of any trade possibilities. (funny being the one to start the original trade forum). I say this simply because our trade needs are in pitching. And as long as our offense is struggling to produce we are setting any pitcher we trade for, for failure.

Now i'm not saying we have a bad offense or that any trades need to be made there. but as i've stated a MILLION times. some sort of line up change is no longer just needed, but now has crossed the boarder to REQUIRED.

However, I will say i disagree a little bit with Ryan from Waco. But not by much. I think there are several players we shouldnt even remotely think of trading (this includeds the entire infield, hamilton, CJ, Lewis, Feliz, Ogando.... thats about it. I have a lot of ppl will knock me for not willing to trade Ian, i for one think he can be our best player, both offensively, and defenseively (although i think he's for the most part proved himself defensively) I think offensively though, he needs to be put in a position to succeed, ie. not in the lead off spot. he was pretty much perfect last year in the 6 spot.

Anyways to my point.... I think one category of player that must not be ignored is what i call a "change of scenery player" an example of this is Vicente Padilla or Shaun Marcum. (not for us just showing how they were underrated pitchers that succeeded upon changing locations. The point is, maybe we should look at a pitcher that has potentially good stuff, but might have currently what is deemed a "poor attittude" or seems unhappy in their current role or situation. I think this is where we can find a decent value or possible steal. Shaun Marcum has always been considered a decent pitcher although his ERA, W-L etc dont support that. however when youre playing NY, BOS, and TB in their heyday 50% of the season this scews the numbers. So far he's been fairl successful this year.

That being said, maybe we need to focus on teams with chemistry issues, alo Cubs, Dodgers, Mets, or teams with a history of losing KC, AZ, Baltimore. I think this is our best chance of possibly finding a diamond in the rough per se.

thats just my opinion. but i've obviously stated my biase towards attempting to grab Zambrano, Matusz, and Hochevor on the cheap. lol

We just gotta get this offense in sync!!!

As stated before though... i do think Cruz needs to be moved. I love the guy, but he's too in consistent and injury prone. if he comes back healthy and rakes... maybe we can make a trade with say Milwauke for say Corey hart and Kam loe... just an example.

One last comment... and i've got the cajones to say it. I know he's pretty much been labled the most OVERRATED player of all time.... but would anyone besides me... be willing to take a shot on Joba? i think he fits the change of scenery mold. he's a corn fed Nebraska boy playing in NYC. Texas might suit him just a little bit better. just an idea... please be gentle. I dont need another Leaving Las Vegas shower moment for my comments.

Hey man, I like Joba - he has potential and is still pretty young. But I think he needs to be in the bullpen, probably as a setup.

i'm a gambling man... i'm saying joba as a starter. but hey if we could get him for say... D.O. straight up.... i'd even take him as a releiver. now you got me thinking.... what you think it would take to get him from the yanks? 1st off i think the yanks are pretty much done with him. however, i think they would play hard ball just because its us. i was thinking maybe D.O. just because the yanks lack (besides rivera) a real veteran presence (soriano is still pretty young). i dunno though. if we're going bullpen for bullpen maybe scotty felds would do it? thats essentially a reliever w starter potential for a reliver w starter potential.

i just could see the yanks trying to bust are balls around. i just see him as the ulitimate justification of a "change of scenery" type pitcher. i think he could come in here. lets admit it we're country here in TX, it fits his style. and i think he'd be in a much better happier place thus increasing his confidence and chances of succeeding as a starter. i could see him as a very successful 4th or 5th starter in TX, or like you said, a reliable set up man as well.

granted my credibility goes out the window when i say i'm willing to give zambrano a chance here. I think he needs a change of scenery and i still think the's got good stuff. he's just a head case. however it hink he'd have a way better pitching coach here and the latin influence amongs the rangers is huge.

my theory on why i'm willing to take such risks (and i cant even say its my theory, i think its also JD and Ryans as well) on certain pitchers is fully believe in the power of Mike Maddux. I think he is capable of turning any pitcher around (as long as they are healthy enough) an making them effective pitchers regardless the role.

Who exactly is going to trade away a solid veteran reliever this early in the season? No team is going to do that because it sends a signal to its fans that it's giving up on the season already and no team is going to be stupid enough to do that. If someone can tell me all the trades involving significant players that have occurred in May, please do so. It's also lazy to propose a deal for someone without including who exactly we should give up to get him.

Kristen is right. I suspect that some of the problem is the disconnect between real baseball and fantasy baseball. Usually the only time players get traded this early in the season is (1) when a spare has to go through waivers in order to bring up another player, and the team in question wants to try to get something for him rather than just lose him (so it's a "spare for spare" trade that essentially means very little in the way of adding talent), or (2) very rarely a team might have some terrible injury, and they might be able to partner with another team that just happens to have some excess in that area... but I can't think of a good example of that off the top of my head.

The fact that even relievers, probably the most readily available commodity in baseball, are just not available now tells you how hard it is to find good players once the season's started. If they have to add someone at this point, other than going down to the minor leagues, they would only have the free agent wire as possible recourse - and what is available there? Not much.

i dont think the intention of this forum is related to an early trade... (i could be wrong) i think it was more of just what type of trade could the rangers make at the deadline. i know its too early to say who's available, but forward thinking and preparedness are traits of winning organizations. Had the rangers not had the forward thinking to natch Lee while they could who knows if we woulda won the ALCS. Had they not had the forward thinking to grab o'day when he became available we woulda missed out on a decent reliever thats helped us along.... well until the WS and this year. I think theyre just talking trades in general not trades right now. of course prematurely, but whatelse is there to look forward to, when your team is struggling as mightily as the rangers are right now. not everyone is a mavs fan....i already tried that forum. it failed lol.

I love how serious everyone is on this site in regards to trades. personally its fairly entertaining. i'm always one to consider trades at anytime. hell even after the deadlines past. Its like when you get into a fight with someone and you think of a witty comeback 5 hours later when youre laying bed and it just comes to you... "why the F*** didnt i say that!" same goes with trades, its always fun to talk trades cuz essentially the ultimate goal IS to build your fantasy team. so i say go for it guys. Dont quit coming up with potential trades just cuz a few Debbie Downers wanna bust your balls cuz its May. The way I see it, we're in a unique position. We're AL Champs. so its okay for once to overreact to the kinda start we've had. what, 3-4 years ago we'd be praising a start like this. now its not good enough. and you know what? THAT in itself is a good thing. We're winners bitches. its time to start playing like it, or finding pieces that fit this team to make them winners.

Speaking of, trades, Dodgers are about to be broke as hell i say we attempt to raid them by trading some cheaper talent for Billingsley or Kershaw, hell while we're at it trade Cruz for Etheir while we're at it.