P1,

Let's take a look at the rotations of the top three pitching staffs in the AL:

1. Tigers

Justin Verlander - 2.64 ERA/3.31 xFIP/3.26 SIERA
Scherzer - 3.74/3.23/2.99
Doug Fister - 3.45/3.29/3.43
Rick Porcello - 4.59/3.89/4.00
Anibal Sanchez - 3.86/3.6/3.64

Average: 3.66/3.46/3.46

3. Rays

David Price - 2.56/3.12/3.16
James Shields - 3.52/3.24/3.19
Jeremy Hellickson - 3.10/4.44/4.44
Matt Moore - 3.81/4.35/4.08
Alex Cobb - 4.03/3.54/3.51

Average 3.40/3.74/3.66

2. Rangers

Yu Darvish - 3.9/3.52/3.55
Matt Harrison - 3.29/4.13/4.27
Derek Holland - 4.67/4.14/3.96
Ryan Dempster - 5.09/3.86/3.68
Scott Feldman 5.09/3.87/3.95

Average: 4.41/3.90/3.88

The real disparity comes in the ERA department, which makes sense, since the Rangers play in an inflationary offensive ballpark. If you look at the advanced metrics (xFIP/SIERA), which determine what the ERA should have been, you won't see as large of a discrepancy between us and Detroit or Tampa (less than a half a run in both departments).

So, even though on paper Detroit and Tampa Bay each have more imposing pitching staffs than we do, the gap isn't as big as you make it seem -- especially considering Colby Lewis and Neftali Feliz missed most of the season.

I mean, think about it. We gave chunks of our season to Scott Feldman, Roy Oswalt and Martin Perez, and we still came out of it afloat. Even Derek Holland wasn't very good, but he should have been a lot better. A bad strand rate will do that to your season. Scott Feldman had the worst luck of anyone. And I don't consider the sample size of Ryan Dempster to be very relevant; he had bad luck, too.

If you'd like to sneeze at the numbers, go ahead. But there is a strong case to be made for this rotation. It's not as atrocious as you make it sound.

Yes I am talking about reality.. We have one of the best bullpens in the league and a very solid 1-2 punch in Darvish and Harrison. They carried the entire pitching staff. The replacements didn't do well, but the overall staff was very good.

Name some other teams that can bridge 7-8-9 as well as the Rangers? Or two starters with all star seasons? Now name a team with both. There are very few and the Rangers are one of them. That is the reason why the Rangers have a top pitching staff, even before digging into the stats.

Many quality arms - Darvish, Harrison, Uehara, Ogando, Adams, Nathan, Ross. I don't think you can really argue that all of they are aren't above average pitchers. And that's half of the pitching staff.. Most teams are lucky if they have a solid #1, and two or three solid relievers. The Rangers have two all star starters and a plethora of above average relievers. And that's not even including Lewis and Feliz and Holland's potential. That my friend, is a lot of quality arms.

The question is, are you talking about reality?

Butler isn't a bad option, but I'd prefer to get someone who can play the field. If they were the only 2 options, I think I'd now prefer Young at 1B to Butler. He's pretty bad.

I'd prefer Butler in any capacity over Young. I understand being wary of a full-time DH, however Butler is the kind of pure slugger that would make you forget about that.

If they trade for Butler maybe Young rages out again and will accept a trade to Oakland (eating half the salary). I can just picture Billy Beane having a come-to-Jesus meeting with MY at the batting cage like he did with David Justice in Moneyball.

Angels Unlikely To Re-Sign Torii Hunter
By Tim Dierkes [October 25, 2012 at 3:39pm CST]
The Angels are highly unlikely to re-sign right fielder Torii Hunter, MLBTR has learned from a source close to the situation. The Angels are highly prioritizing pitching improvements, and Hunter will have a chance to explore the open market.

Hunter, 37, signed a five-year, $90MM deal with the Angels after the '07 season. He hit .313/.365/.451 with 16 home runs in 584 plate appearances this year, so he's still an asset from the right side of the plate. His right field defense grades out as above-average. MVP candidate Mike Trout is assured of a starting spot next year for the Halos, while Vernon Wells, Peter Bourjos, and Mark Trumbo project to take the rest of the at-bats.

A week ago, Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote that the Angels offered Hunter "only a one-year contract at a heavy pay cut from his $18 million salary," and that Hunter is aiming for at least a two-year deal. At this stage in his career I imagine Hunter is focused on playing for a contender, with teams such as the Phillies and Rangers looking like viable options.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/10/angels-unlikely-to-re-sign-torii-hunter.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

I like Hunter but I'm not sure he likes the Rangers.

And I'd hate to be the team that signs him and nets the Halos a comp pick (assuming they make a qualifying offer).

The Angels are highly prioritizing pitching improvements

I wonder if this means they're going all in for Greinke or if they'll try to lock up solid #4-5 rotation guys and some bullpen help.

We already have enough outfielders. No need to go after him.