At this point in time, I only harbor 2 complaints with ow JD has handled this offseason: The decision to not offer Nap a nor year deal for $13M that would have brought us a Supplemental pick had he left, or given us another year's bridge to Jorge Alfaro had he accepted; and allowing Koji to leave town for a one year deal not even with Baltimore, his supposed 'comfort' team

Everything else, I can get 100% behind. I am quite looking forward to Olt, Profar, Font, MPerez, Leonys, RRoss, Buckel, et al develop into (dirt cheap for 6 years) stars, not to mention the absolute absurd cavalry of power hitters +CJ Edwards at the lower levels. I'm in this for the long haul folks, and one disappointing winter won't change that.

lol - For my part, I'm not considering this a "disappointing winter".

First off, there's still time to pick up a guy or two either by FA signing at a responsible rate or a trade using pieces that our FO considers expendable. The Plan demands we promote from within and supplement with veterans - veterans purchased at a respectable cost.

If we go into 2013 exactly where we stand now, the level of excitement will be much higher than if we went out and bought a bunch of mercenaries and we would expect that they would lead the way to storied hardware. But, the kids would suffer and their chance to step into leadership roles will be impeded.

We all saw last year how a "veteran lineup" can fail spectacularly. Boston saw it the year before. These kids? They don't have any idea what "entitlement" means... they just wanna play. And, with their level of talent, maybe all they need is that chance to just go do it.

THEN, if we get to July and we're in contention (which I expect THIS roster will), we see who's dumping what and see what we can pick up for a run. Remember, Cliff Lee only cost us a befuddled former top prospect (Smoak) and an A-Level rotation piece along with some fluff. Wait and see who is expendable; wait and see who is "expending"; then see what matches.

It's gonna be a great year!

"Cliff Lee only cost us a befuddled former top prospect (Smoak) and an A-Level rotation piece along with some fluff.".

At the time, Smoak was the Rangers" "next Teixeira" - #1 pick, switch hitting 1B - and had just arrived in tbe majors a few months before. Expectations were still quite high on him.

Bevean was a #1 pick who had been in AA for more than a season and was beginning to pitch there at a high level befitting a #1 pick (dominating, 10-5, ERA under 3, great control). To no one's surprise, he was starting in Seattle within a year of the trade.

Lueke was one of the top relief prospects in the minors, good enough expectations that he was relief pitching in Seattle the next season and then flipped to TB for a LH hitting catcher (Jaso) who has played really well for Seattle.

Choosing one part of your disappointment...
So you are disappointed that we did not chance a $13 mill contract to someone with the following career stats that cannot even play the position full time...

2006: 268 ab, 51bb, 90k, .228/.360./455
2007: 219 ab, 33bb, 63k, .247/.351/.443
2008: 227 ab, 35bb, 70k, .273/.374/.586
2009: 382 ab, 40bb, 103k, .272/.350/.492
2010: 453 ab, 42bb, 137k, .238/.316/.468
2011: 369 ab, 58bb, 85k, .320/.414/.631 (career bests over at bats)
2012: 352 ab, 56bb, 125k, .227/.343/.469

in other words...
2006: bad (split time)
2007: average (split time)
2008: good (split time)
2009: good (split time)
2010: bad (split time)
2011: bad-average 4 months, great 2.5 months (split time)
2012: bad (split time)

He had a great 2.5 months, but that's pretty much it. I don't get everyone's love for him (especially Newbergs love for him). One could argue that Napoli's lack of contact in situations when we need production (productive outs are still production) seriously hurt the team on a similar level to all th PADMY 6-4-3s.

Rangers will not add "affordable" FAs. They fail to realize basic principles of Business. Supply/Demand, inflation, etc...

Koji was not going to sign anywhere except the northeast. We had no chance.

Nap isn't worth 13 million and I think the red sox are discovering the mistake they made even before the season started. We don't need any big name outfielder for big bucks. The only reason I would sign Swisher is for Joanna Garcia. Otherwise I hate him and think hes over priced. Also with Koji ,we a lot of young pitchers and Soria to fill his spot when he comes back. Also he was set on not coming back to TX.

Guys, the point is, that Nap was going to reject that $13M arbitration the entire time. He would have within 24 hours of JD extending the offer, which in turn would have given us a supplemental 1st rd pick when he eventually left.

And, if by some strange event he accepted it (his getting 3/39 proves he never would have), then worst case we have a one year option at a position at which we currently have Soto and someone named Eli Whiteside as our opening day catchers.

I make no fault with how JD has run this offseason to this point, but him not offering Nap arbitration was flat-out a mistake.

^word is they are trying to restructure for less years/dollars. If so, JD judged the market accordingly on Napoli OR perhaps he knew he was damaged goods.

LSU,
Never know if Napoli would have accepted arbitration or if he would have rejected it given how low his production was this past season. And to TxBall's point, maybe JD knew Nap was damaged goods, or maybe to my point, that Nap was not worth the risk of arbitration money because he was not that productive to begin with.

Personally, Napoli came to Texas with a bad plate approach and leaves Texas the same. I would rather get someone behind the dish with better defensive skills that makes more contact, and when he does get out, has more productive outs.

Flat out, why even bother with the chance of arbitration for someone who had a fleeting moment of heroics over a career of average-below averageness?

@LJ: how, exactly, is Swisher overrated? In all 4 years with the Yankees he's put up all-star numbers (or very close thereto). He hits from both sides, so platoon splits are hardly an issue. He plays RF and 1B adequately but not elitely. If we could get Swisher for less than about $16m/yr I would love to have him here. If not, I'd still like him.

They fail to realize basic principles of Business. Supply/Demand, inflation, etc...

I have a hard time believing the guys who could afford to buy a $1/4B sports franchise don't understand basic economic principles.

To the original point; I've seen it written in several places that Koji was ready to get out. He didn't want to come here in the first place, remember? The Napoli decision was probably a lot closer than anyone realizes. I imagine the FO passed because they felt they needed the money to pursue another FA and could find similar production cheaper than a $13M gamble on Nap.

@Andy, LJ didn't say Swisher was overrated, he said he is overpriced. Two different things.

Thanks for the clarification, I'm not sure how I confused those words. Anyway, at $15-16m, I contend that he would not be overpriced, based on the above.