With all the trade rumors swirling with big name pitchers and big name prospects being asked in return. I propose the unthinkable..... The Rangers should just sit tight.

If you look what makes up this Rangers team it is mostly made up of former prospects that we traded for when we gave away the big guys or players that we drafted and have worked their way up through the minors. Ok I realize that's not a ground breaking revelation so save the wise ass comments those who think that they know all that is baseball. But it is still something we should remember.

I think the phrase don't fix what ain't broke applies here. The Rangers have some of the best scouts in the league and say they just trust them and keep building from within. Now I know some might say "Well Cliff Lee sure helped out last year didn't he". I don't disagree but Cliff Lee is not on the Trading Block is he? I don't believe there are any available guys out there that are worth paying top dollar for (Both in prospects and cash). So it is at least something to consider?

Matt - What is a Farm System for? From your perspective?

Obviously you are a person who thinks it is used for trade chips for veteran players and in some cases I think it can be used for that but in this market I believe there just aren't any players worth trading for. I understand your viewpoint because trades are exciting but I think in this situation, we should just sit tight.

To answer your question, I believe the Rangers got good from developing from within. Now I am only 15 years old so I can understand if you saw the Rangers try to do that for years with no results and just got frustrated but I believe we have the pieces in place to where we can simply sit and wait for prospects to come up to the major league level while still competing at the major league level. So in one sentence, I believe the farm system is for developing prospects in the hope that they can contribute at the major league level.

There is a strong argument for what Matt is calling for. Or at least for a varient of it that includes shedding only marginal prospects for a marginal player like Todd Coffey, or for a salary dump guy like Beltran.

A Farm Sytem IS used to develop prospects, both drafted and traded for. It is also used to make trades. If you can make a trade to better yourself, you do it, within reason of course. But you also have talent levels pushing talent levels, and only so many spots, with additional talent acquired all the time. So, instead of bettering yourself, which we can do, you'd propose to log-jam prospects? Or even better yet, when we need to make roster room for new prospects, just out right release other prospects who have trade value to do so? It is a never ending stream, in and out. Some of you don't seem to get how baseball works.

To say we have so many prospects ready for the Majors that it is now a log-jam is ridiculous. Some prospects will be stuck under but that gives them time to develop. Also if we are releasing players to make room for prospects I am sure we are releasing players that we know have no chance of ever reaching the majors. What you are suggesting is that we would have too much talent and I am pretty sure that is not a problem.

As far as the not knowing how baseball works comment, I might turn it around on you. You think all these guys we have right now are going to come cheap by the time free agency rolls around year after year. The answer is no. So when they sign with the Yankees, Phils, and Red Sox, we are left high and dry without them and without any prospects to take their place.

How many roster spots are available in the minors Matt? Total?

Matt has a valid point in that Daniels should NOT pull off a trade that improves the team IF it entails overpaying in prospects and ESPECIALLY IF said overpayment turns out to be for a rental player. I honestly think teams are trying to fleece the Rangers on prospects. Any trade has to both improve the team now and not cost so much in prospects that it negatively affects the long-range picture.

Now there is a point we'd agree upon. I do not want to over pay for a RAP. I'd prefer to trade for a controllable player. Been saying that forever. That said, your options are limited. Are you content to sit pat and just win the Division?

I see no problem with trading away some of our top prospects in return for premium MLB talent. Our scouting department has shown that they can and will find young talent, as proven by the influx of international signings this year, not to mention the draft. Jon Daniels is no idiot, our farm is in good hands. When a deal needs to be made, we will have the necessarry talent in the minors to make a trade to improve the club. And in about a years time, there will be more prospects in the waiting to replace the one's that were traded. Prospects should be valued, but not overvalued. Trades will be made, they always are, and there should be no worries as to whether or not we can replenish our farm system. The Rangers are in great hands, some prospects will be traded while others advance through the minors to the big club. That's the way baseball go!

Sure, Matt has a wonderful working scenario... if your 15 and can wait 40 years,
like most of the BUYING Ranger Fans. I can not understand the Chicago Cubs.

Hopefully JD spends more time trying to figure out how to balance winning this year against future years than just categorically ruling out trades. I'd love to see a TORP, but it isn't clear to me that a TORP is available.

I did see that the Mets might be interested in eating some of Beltran's contract, so that is favorable.

I agree and disagree at the same time. While I think the Rangers should definitely deal some prospects for a starting pitcher and a guy like Carlos Beltran, I can see where you're coming from when you say that the Rangers should just "sit tight". Maybe so... To an extent. The Rangers have a legit chance at the World Series this year much as they did last year. The only difference, Cliff Lee, the ace of 2010. They need to focus on this year as much as they can without giving up so much of their future in the even that they lose Elvis Andrus to let's say, the Yankees. Because we all know they will make a push, knowing that Jeter will most likely retire within the next 5 years.

What I think the Rangers should do is hang on to Martin Perez and Jurickson Profar and see what you can get for guys like Scheppers, Erlin, and Kirkman. We also have to remember that we can trade guys like Chris Davis and Julio Borbon who will most likely be behind Moreland (Davis), as well as Chaves and Leonys Martin (Borbon) as well as give cash to teams so we don't completely deplete the farm system. Bottom line, I trust Daniels to make the right choice as he has made some trades so unfair in favor of the Rangers it's laughable.

Overwhelm the Dodgers. Martin, weiland, Ross, Davis, Beltre/Bourbon, Hunter , Sardinas for Kershaw.

@BigDinPHX: I don't know what you're on, but I wish you'd share. I've never been high enough to think that proposed deal makes any sense.

Matt, I understand completely where you are coming from. The trade market is exceptionally weak this year which makes finding an equitable trade scenario highly unlikely. JD knows this as do most GM's which is part of the reason the market has been so slow to develop this year.

Part of the problem has been the emergence of several teams that few predicted to be in contention at the all-star break. Teams like Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Tampa have players that would help many contenders only they are either leading their divisions or playing above .500 ball. Then there are teams like Minnesota, who might believe they are out of contention this year but have a solid core in place for next year. And finally you have the NL Central were four teams are still in contention for the division all of whom have at least one or two premium pieces that would help other contenders but alas they aren't selling.

There are significantly more buyers than sellers which means whatever deal the Rangers are in on they will have to overpay because if they don't someone else will. Additionally there really aren't many pieces available that would help the Rangers win the division and teams can win in the playoffs without making major deadline acquisitions such as the Giants last year.

Another thing to think about is that by allowing other teams to overpay this year it depletes their farm systems while the Rangers stays in tact making it more likely to land players via trades in the future. Additionally, saving money this year makes it more likely to sign FA in the offseason when the Rangers can add without having to subtract. It's the same tactic the team used during the draft this year when they didn't go above slot for the amatuer draft and then blew the rest of the league out of the water for international free agents. A penny saved is a penny earned and all that jazz.

Now I'm not saying JD should remove himself from the discussion because 1) Something might actually present itself and 2) JD would never cut bait anyway. All I am saying is it wouldn't surprise me in the least if nothing happens before the deadline expires because there is really nothing of value that can be obtained at a reasonable cost.

15-year-old wins.

I agree with Matt.. to an extent. Right now, a move for Beltran would be stupid, both in terms of players given up and money. Plus while he's doing pretty good in the NL, who's to say we would do that here?? It takes hitters time to adjust to a new league, new set of pitchers (think of Dunn this year in chi or Carlos Lee when we got him a few years back and what he did). And I know some of you will point to Cliff Lee or Adrian, but they wernt coming from the NL to the AL, they were already here. Plus, who is he better then, Defensive-wise?? Just a factor to consider. But the real point is that there is no one this trade season that is going to put us over the hump. Id rather safe those assests and see what can be done over the offseson. (For example, if it took a Profar to get a Josh Johnson, or Kershaw, would you want that or the in-season "up" grade of Beltran??) Id rather go to war with what we got, then just make a trade to make fans happy or give them something to talk about. So im with Matt, unless a Ramus or someone of that class is available, then lets stand pat and wait.

I agree with Matt too! Somehow we disagreed on something, but not principle. No, I do not want Beltran. Rasmus can be had for the trade I proposed. Hide and watch. Latest inside word is Murphy will be included ina deal, and Davis will be your 4th OF. Just FYI.

I think bthe Beltran situation looks like this:

Mets Plan A: Trade Beltran, plus cash to cover his remaining salary, for a pair of solid prospects.

Mets Plan B: Trade Beltran for a pair of marginal prospects, and get salary relief by unloading his remaining contract.

Mets Plan C: Keep him.

If the Mets can swing Plan A, I want no part of that.

If the Mets determine that Plan A is off the table, and have to resort to Plan B, and JD has the cash available, then I want to see the Good Guys at the front of the Beltran line. He comes in and plays LF, with Josh moving to starting CF. Major offensive upgrade over the Chavez/Gentry duo. Defensive downgrade in CF, but I think not an overly large one. LF defense probably a push between Hamilton and Beltran.

Would anyone NOT want Beltran for, say Matt Thompson and Jake Brigham (or whatever), assumuing the club had enough available cash? I would go so far as to put Joe Weiland in, but I know some folks are in love with him as a prospect, but I think the point has been made.