Let me start by saying that I'm NOT saying the Rangers have to do anything to achieve ultimate success this year other than continue to play the way they've been playing. This is more a product of looking at the Mariners' payroll, farm system, and the fact that every time I watch this guy pitch I can't help but think how good he'd look in a Rangers' uniform.

A couple of things: (1) By year's end, I happen to believe that Yu will have established himself as a legitimate #1 in a rotation, and that he would only be a #2 for a handful of teams (2) If Felix Hernandez was on this team, Yu would probably be a #2. What a great potential set of starters to begin a post-season series, possibly the best in the majors.

Now, every time I think of Felix with the Rangers I wonder how much would it take to get him here, and would it be worth it in the end. I'll admit, I don't really know that answers to either of those questions. However, there is some reason to believe that Seattle could make him a deadline trade opportunity based on a couple of things.

First, Felix's salary jumped quite a bit this year, and climbs to just over $20 million each year for the next two years. That accounts for about 25% of Seattle's entire payroll. Would they rather use him to continue to rebuild the team instead of pay that kind of money? Second, their farm system has some very good pitching prospects, with at least one of them showing true ace potential. I could see them trading Felix for position prospects simply because they know what they have coming up.

So, as a point of discussion, let's mull this idea over. We all know what Felix brings to the table, but do you think he's on the Rangers' radar? What do you think it would take to get him? Would it be worth it in terms of how much salary would be devoted to Felix as well as the prospects it might take to acquire him? Would it mean an end to contract discussion with Hamilton, and would you be comfortable with Felix instead of Josh if that were the case?

Hopefully, not everyone will rip me for "yet another trade proposal" as this guy is like a 2.5 year version of Cliff Lee, a guy who I think everyone recognizes as having helped us take the next step two seasons ago. My interest in Felix is simply that I think he could represent the final step towards a WS banner.

I really Like Felix I think he would be a good fit here, BUT for starters I think it would cost WAY TO MUCH to get him. Probably looking at Profar, Olt, Martin plus some to get him and it just wouldn't be worth it to gut the farm system to get a guy that really doesn't want to leave Seattle. this would be along the lines of JD's Texeria trade with Atlanta and we don't want to help them that much. Also it's a divisional opponet and those trades just don't happen very often unless its a rental player like the Cliff lee deal.
Sure he would be a great get for 2.5 yrs but the trade is a pipe dream

Joe, can't say I disagree with your points entirely, but I guess I don't think the Rangers would have to give up 3 of our top prospects. The biggest difference between the Teixeira deal, as well as the Cliff Lee deal, is that they were both $9 million per year contracts when they were traded. In other words, they were considered top flight talents with relatively "cheap" contracts. Felix, on the other hand, is the 15th highest salary annually that is only going to go up slightly over the next two years.

Since Texas would be taking a very large contract from the Mariners, I don't think it would take as much as a Teixeira deal. Instead, I would like to think it would be more like a Cliff Lee type deal. Of course, the Mariners have to be sellers at the deadline for any kind of reasonable deal to materialize. Trading for Felix has come up in previous seasons, but this season his salary has a sharp increase so I suppose it depends on whether the Mariners have it in their plans to pay him $60 million while staying in last place in the division.

What if it was Profar and Olt? Is that still too much? Not that I want him to go, but I wonder if Colby Lewis and his relatively high bang-for-your-buck contract have any value in a trade like this...

James
Lee and Tex were rentals both FA's at the end of that yr, Felix is still under contract for 2.5 yrs that makes the asking price go WAY up. Also Felix is a TORP and would be on any teams staff with few exeptions. I don't think money would be an issue except maybe for Seattle any team looking to add that kind of pitcher won't blink at his contract.
"IF" you got Elvis resigned I don't think Profar and Olt along with Colby is to big a price tag, but if he isn't it's way to big.
Personally I think Seattle has got to be desperate before they deal Felix to Texas and they are going to want the world and JD's first born son.

Don't you mean Queen Felix? Felix Hernandez is a good pitcher, but he is not even close to being good enough to earn the nickname his teammates in A ball gave him.

Common Sense
REALLY?!? if felix pitched on the rangers last yr he wins 20+ games and gives Verlander a run for his money on the Cy young. Heck he's already won the cy young on a losing team!
King Felix is a stud.

Suppose you put it this way:
For 20 million next year who helps the Rangers more: Felix Hernandez or Josh Hamilton?

I'd pass on Hernandez. Let the Yankees or Red Socks find a way to get him from the Mariners

For 20 million next year who helps the Rangers more?
A: Josh Hamilton

There's better pitchers out there that aren't self proclaimed "kings", or that don't have to have fans make excuses for them. Going off 2011 starts. His team, as bad as they were, scored runs. Unfortunately it's hard to recover when they're Queen gives up 7,8, or 9 runs like he did in some of those losses. As a matter of fact there was also plenty of one run game losses, so don't try to blame his (coughbullshitcough) lack of run support.

Not a self-proclaimed King, jackass.

Quit being a douche, learn the difference between "they're" and "their", and use some of your own common sense. King Felix is one of the best pitchers in baseball.

1) Not another pipe dream trade thread.
2) If they haven't traded Felix by now, that team is never trading him.