1. I disapprove. he had a career year, but we have a load of "comers" in waiting. He needs and deserves a multi-year contract for his family.
2. they can, but I doubt it will happen, too many failed manager decisions.
3. Holland, but both will be winners.
4. easy, trade CJ, extend O'day with a multi-year contract and keep FF on a year-to-year.
5. Bringing in a quality manager

1. Keeping Byrd...Do you approve or disapprove of this plan? Yes, however, Cruz or Murphy would need to be traded. Preferably Murphy to limit out exposure to LHP and maximize power. Bring Boggs up as a #5 outfielder. Also it sure would be nice if Cruz got a fair shake from Ron and Rudy.

2. Sweep Angels? Possible, yes. Is it going to happen? no.

3. Who will have the more successful major league career when it's all said and done: Derek Holland or Neftali Feliz? To early to tell. While it is possible to say if a pitcher will stay in the show after a season (or less), it is virtually impossible to predict who will have the better career.

4. DOD-C.J. Fx2 which fate would you select for each pitcher? If forced to, I think CJ would bring the most back so I would trade him, though he is probably the guy I want to keep the most. I would o year to year with Franky because of the injuries, and I'd sign DOD long term. I have to admit I am not thrilled about signing DOD long term, or trading CJ, but I think that would be the safest bet.

5. Biggest non-ownership-related issue facing the Rangers?
1. Re signing Byrd, and if we do outfield log jam,
2. Smoak/Davis (though more a mid season 2010 issue)
3. Is there a TOR pitcher out there to be had?

1. Not in favor of Byrd becoming the "de facto" center fielder. I love that he plays hard and is a leader but isn't he second on the team in fewest pitches seen this year per plate appearance. We need an outfielder that can put everything together. Power (doubles/gap power is just fine with me), but pair it with plate discipline, a little speed, defense and hustle. I would let Borbon start in center, Hamilton in right and Cruz in left. Murph would get plenty of playing time if Wash is still around because he wouldn't let Borbon start against certain tough lefties.

2. No.

3. Feliz, it's easier to get away with mistakes when your velocity sits between 95-100, although its been closer to 95 lately. Hollands mistake pitches are meatballs, 92ish, and he was hyped as being the one that was more polished. I know Feliz wasn't exposed as much by being in the pen but pitching is pitching. I don't believe in all this bull that a reliever only has to have two pitches and a starter needs three. I think their roles may be reversed next year.

4. This is not so easy. I'm not a CJ hater but I did read a stat that leadoff hitters in any given inning have something like a .420 OBP against him. He just doesn't seem focused until there is someone on base. If he could be a little more consistent. Trade CJ, long term deal to O'Day and keep FF year to year.

5. Single biggest, new hitting coach. It's nearly miraculous that our PITCHING carried this team for the first 3-4 months. I can't give Rudy the benefit of the doubt any longer. It's one thing for a guy or two to have bad years. There is no excuse for everyone on the team whose name doesn't begin with Michael and end with Young. I wonder if you looked at everyones stats, other than AJ, they had lower OBP and/or OPS than there career average.

Thanks, Joseph.

(1) Josh Hamilton could move into the DH position. The big trouble is the run production from the OF could be about the lowest in the majors with a starting trio of Borbon, Byrd, and Cruz. Maybe, their defense would make up for it, though. Signing Byrd also opens the possibility of trading Cruz in a deal for a TORP.

(2) May as well get my hopes up one more time. That's what baseball is all about.

(3) Feliz

(4) trade CJ (largest trade value of the three), extend Frank, year-to-year with O'Day

(5) How are they going to bring in an Ace?

1 Let Byrd leave. He won't be worth what he'll get; this seems like it might become a GMJ situation.
2 I'd say there's about a 10% chance.
3 Difficult call, but I'll take Feliz.
4 Trade Frank (Oldest of the three and has the most experience as a closer, which increases his value) Extend CJ (Terrific GB rate, great stuff, Beloved in and out of the clubhouse) go year-to-year with O'Day (He's got plenty of service time left and is the most likely of the three to be a flash in the pan).

I don't mind if they decide they want to have Byrd full-time - he's not a bad player. But if so, they definitely need to trade Cruz then. It would make more sense to let Byrd go and keep Cruz, though, since Cruz will be cheaper. If they get a good offer for Cruz, however, it might be the thing to do to trade him.

In my estimation, the team has 2 needs for 2010: an average/OBP DH & a starter. The DH should be a righty bat or a righty favored SH. If Smoak can be ready to go in April, then he might be an in-house answer - but that seems like a lot for his young shoulders to carry. I would imagine that JD will entertain some offers for Chris Davis and Nelson Cruz... but probably in exchange for pitching and prospects - not a young ml-ready hitter. So I don't expect either of them to be moved. Not sure what the team will do with Salty, either. He was better in 2010 but still nothing great. Every mediocre season he puts under his belt takes a little of the shine off his blue-chip prospect status.

Wouldn't mind the starter to be Sheets on an incentive deal. If I were the team I would try to keep all 3 of Franky, CJ, & O'Day. Their relief pitching was a strong point this season, and we've seen in recent years how losing just one guy can change everything.

1. Byrd's a nice player to have but not at the price he will command in FA. Plus the future is in the 20'somethings.

2. Yes. Think 64 Phillies / Cardinals.

3. Dumb question. In my opinion.

4. Trade Frankie. Extend CJ. Year to year with O'Day.

5. Evaluations of the following
A. Hamilton's performance
B. Millwood's performance and contract
C. Teagarden / Saltalammachia, performance and value

Oh yeah, forgot,
Happy Birthday Professor. Funny, calling someone professor who's young enough to be my kid. Anyway, hope you're well and wanted to say your contributions are missed.

1. Byrd is really just an average CF'er defensively (but pretty darn good in LF), so I think Borbon needs to be The Guy out there soon. Julio needs to improve his fundamentals, however, and he sits against lefties, so Byrd should be starting there about a third of the time. Byrd is also definitely needed for his RH bat. The Rangers are still too left-handed with Borbon, Murphy, Hamilton, Davis, and Cruz (an RH'er, but apparently completely unable to hit southpaws). This makes Byrd essential, unless JD can turn Murphy into a decent RH'er with above-average defensive skills. MaxRam and Smoak might help, but why chance it if you can lock up Byrd for 2-3 yrs? Let's get a contract done for an A+ chemistry guy!
2. I think Sunday and Tuesday are the key games -- both against lefties. Hopefully, MY is back Monday, and the Rangers can continue to score a few runs. I think the Rangers win today and tomorrow, and I like our chances with Scooter vs Kazmir. The momentum that could generate would be absolutely amazing going into the final 2 games of the series against Weaver and Lackey. However, given the lack of run production against lefties recently, we need MY to come back in good form. That's really the best chance to win the division, along with some plate discipline from Kins. But in the end, it all comes down to guys like McCarthy and Holland getting through 5 innings in decent shape. I say we can't do it against such strong competition, but that doesn't mean it would take a miracle to wake up on Friday morning tied or a game back! Let's go Rangers!
3. I can't say for sure what Holland's ceiling is (his comps with other #1 starters at similar ages and experience levels are still very, very good -- from what I've been reading), but Feliz looks like he might become a perennial Cy Young candidate. What he's done since coming up is amazing. Let's hope his recent dip in velocity is only fatigue from a very long season, and not a sign that he's been living on adrenaline for about 2 months now. Guess what? They are both terrific young pitchers who would be welcomed on any roster in MLB for many yrs to come.
4. O'Day seems to be the most fluky (but sensational this yr) of the three, and his trade/contract value is probably limited compared to the other two -- I'd say he's the guy to keep on a yr to yr basis. Unfortunately, FF and CJ both seem to have some proclivity toward injury (FF more-so, obviously, but both have been under the scalpel), and neither has excelled completely at dealing daily with the pressure of closing over a full season. But there's no doubt you need three good pieces at the back end of a bullpen -- and they've been pretty darn good at holding leads and saving games. With Feliz likely to get a good shot at making the rotation next yr, I'd hate to lose anyone else back there. Is the gun loaded? Can I risk keeping them all, or is my life actually in jeopardy? Kevlar has been a wonderful invention, by the way...
5. #1 issue is figuring out what can be done to bring back some offensive consistency without sacrificing anything defensively. Milton Bradley is NOT the answer given his selfish tendencies. Maybe the Rangers can trade Millwood for a similarly-priced RH'd outfielder, but I think it's more likely we'll see either MaxRam or Smoak make this roster next yr in an attempt to win more games against southpaws. Kinsler and Hamilton will likely be much better, and guys like Andrus and Borbon are sure going to be fun to watch again. I think the Rangers could do much worse than standing pat in lieu of the FA market.

1. I'd offer Byrd a 2 year deal at about 4mil/year or arbitration. Any more than that, and it's bye bye Byrd. If we do keep Byrd, I trade David Murphy, because, as reliable as he is, I'd like to keep Nelson Cruz around more.

2. Of course they can. Will they? Hell if I know... They like to tease us like that, just when we give up on 'em they pull us back in.

3. As much as I like Neftali's arm, I'd still have to say Holland. I think what he's going through now will go a long way towards teaching him how to be a good pitcher long after his best stuff is gone.

4. Keep Frankie, trade CJ (his value's probably pretty high right now...), and O'day is year to year.

5. I think a huge question mark going into next season is can you afford to have Chris Davis at 1B. I think the guy's great, but it's now been about a full season with less that stellar production and there aren't really any other open spots where you can look to improve the offense. If it's me, I take a chance on him that last season was more indicative of the real Chris Davis than this one, but it's a tough call to make.

Yes I would if the cost is not to much. My guess he will sign with someone else.

yes

both will make us proud

yr to yr oday, cj long term, trade ff

getting rid of Rudy without pissing off players who believe in him. Hope someone offers him a big contract.

1.) I'd let Marlon go, but only if you think Hamilton isn't better off as a DH.

2.) A sweep is possible, but highly unlikely. A more realistic goal: Win three and you don't have to be around for the celebration.

3.) Feliz

4.) Long term O'Day, Year to Year CJ, trade Frankie before his arm falls off (i.e. soon). Take a long look at C.J. in the rotation if you trade Millwood.

5.) If you think Hamilton is an OF and not a DH, then I'd try to pop Bradley and a lot of cash for Millwood.

1. Marlon Byrd deserves a multi-year deal. He will be missed next year. A Borbon-Murphy-Hamilton-Cruz rotation serves the Rangers well in 2010.

2. Texas can sweep but will not. Instead, they will have the opportunity to learn first-hand how to celebrate a division championship in Anaheim.

3. If Feliz joins the rotation, Neftali's star shines brighter.

4. Trade Frankie. The Rangers control him for only one more year. Sign O'Day on a year-to-year basis; would love to see a repeat performance in 2010. Sign Wilson to control a year beyond his free-agency date. Of the three, Wilson's career performance is best.

5. The biggest issue facing the Rangers this coming off-season: transitioning Michael Young to DH and backup infielder so that Chris Davis assumes 3B and Justin Smoak 1B.

Would I have thought that LAA was going to go on a 4-game losing streak, either? Nope. If we win today (and I hope we do, since I'm going!) and LAA continues its skid, we will be 4 back with 4 to go against them directly. A sweep against a team that's playing for its 1st place slot? It's going to be difficult, especially the way LAA has been playing, but it can be done. Even 3 of 4 puts us very close and I like those odds.

1. Won't be Washington's call
2. I hope.
3. Hunter will have better career than both when all said and done.
4. CJ- multiyear, trade O'Day and Frankie- year to year. CJ could end up starter.
5. Free Agency moves

A. Stephens: Thanks for the kind words. I might just sneak in a few contributions to BBTiA in the coming weeks.

1. Keeping Byrd doesn't necessarily mean that a, b, and c follow. I'd like to see them keep Byrd, but I'd like to see them sign Chone Figgins more. Why couldn't he play an outfield position? A lot depends on whether Borbon can learn to play center.
2. I hope so, but who knows?
3. Both of them, I hope, will have outstanding major league careers.
4. Trade FF -- he has the most value. Give O'Day a multi-year deal, and go with CJ on a year to year basis. See if Feliz can be your closer.
5. There's very little that doesn't depend on ownership. Even keeping or getting rid of Jaramillo involves significant money issues.

1 - Depends. Depends on priority. Is centerfield or pitching the priority? Let's turn the table. If you had the choice of either signing Marlon Byrd or a pitcher such as Ben Sheets or Rafael Soriano, which would you sign?

With only returning players, the Rangers payroll should be a little over $50M. I would like to think signing both Byrd and pitching could be achieved. But, if not.... I'm hoping new ownership sees that talent evaluation is good, and that playing with the big boys requires a payroll that more closely resembling Los Angeles than Pittsburgh.

2 - Miracles happen. But I'm not holding my breath.

3 - Dutch

4 - I believe DOD is under team control for another 4-5 years.

5 - Trying to keep up with ticket demands.
.
.
.
.
. Just kidding. Non-ownership related? That's much too narrow. How about a Latin draft, and how to minimize their lost investment.

1- Like Byrd but think someone will offer way more than the Rangers will pay. Like our chances with Hamilton, Burbon,Murphy,Cruz
2- Possible- but highly unlikey - to much pressure for team that does nt know how to deal with it
3- Depends on if Feliz goes to starter or not if he becomes a starter I say Feliz
4- trade FF and get what you can multi year CJ year to year O'Day
5- The usual for the Rangers- PITCHING- need a quality top tier starter

1. I think letting Byrd walk is the best move.
2. The Rangers will sweep the Angels.
3. Feliz.
4. Trade C.J., let DOD go year by year, and extend FF.
5. The flexibility of payroll.

todays game is a perfect example of wash's failure as a manager!!!!!!!!!!!

This is exactly why Wash needs to go, probably won't happen though with new ownership coming. He has cost us too many games with his excessive patience shown towards the veterans. If they ain't getting it done then pull'em.

How do you sit on your hands and do nothing while Francisco is gagging and a guy like Feliz sits in the bullpen? Hello Wash..there was no tomorrows.

There will be no money to sign Bryd
Doesn't matter now
Holland
Trade both CJ and FF , no money, year to year on Oday, Feliz closes next year
JD gettting as much as he can for CJ and FF and floating Hamilton also to see if there is any interest.

No on both MB's (Marlon & Milton). I like both, and think both have served us well beyond our expectations. But vs RHP Cruz, Murphy, Borbon, & Hamilton should surpass him; and vs LHP's Boggs, Hamilton and one of the other 3 should suffice. We don't need Byrd vs. RHP, and Boggs rivals him in OPS vs LHP, and we don't have room for both. So he is a luxury who would cost a) $ b) the draft pick he'll gain us as a type b FA ( or even type a if he keeps this up!). And his roster spot would cost us Boggs, who will be out of options--No?-- and will cost us nothing.

As for Bradley, the temporary fix that he provdes would cost us the emergence of the bats of one of our 3 young catchers and Davis via the DH role on non-fielding days... Not to mention Pudge... Whether Max or Pudge, a 3rd C/part-time DH would be more all-around helpful toward our development for this 6-year run, than a full-time DH/6th OF.

2010 is for Davis AND Smoak AND Max AND Salt AND Tea.
Yet that's already one non-pitcher too many, not even counting Pudge or Omar, both of whom I would be great to re-sign if we could have a 27-man roster.

Do you suppose Boggs could add Utility IF to his resume during winter ball?

Do you

1. My guess is that the Rangers uncertain ownership plans will make the Byrd process easier. Some team out there will offer him something like Bradley's contract last year, $30-35 Million over 3 years, and the Rangers won't be able to go there under their present conditions.

2. Not likely, especially after that abortion on Sunday.

3. Feliz. His mistake pitches are harder to hit than Hollands'.

4. This is the tough one. Keep O'day on a year to year deal. I like what he's done this year, but would like to see it again before locking him up long term.
If the Rangers are planning on using Feliz to close in the near future, I would say trade FF. CJ can close until Feliz is ready. If the Rangers are not going to use Feliz to close, I would say trade CJ, as he will bring more back in a deal than FF would.

5. Learning how to hit better with RISP....be more patient at the plate.....get some guys to stop swinging at a first pitch after the opposing pitcher just walked 2 guys in a row and has obvious control issues (Byrd, Kinsler)....stop trying to jack it out every time out (kinsler)....all this leads to the same conclusion...it may be time for a new hitting coach.
Somehow get a true #1 ACE without giving up too much off the farm.

WHERE WILL BENOIT FIGURE INTO NEXT YEAR'S PLAN? IF HEALTHY HE IS BETTER THAN C.J. AND COULD HELP THE BULLPEN A GREAT DEAL. HE PERFORMS WELL AGAIND LEFT HANDERS AS WELL AS RIGHTY'S.

Jack Benny's a Free Agent,, no?

CJ's been excellent anyway. Keep him & O'Day with new contracts, trade Fx2 and Millwood by the deadline if they've been as good again (before they tire) if we still have as many options as it seems we will, but only for top guys far from the majors or to fill our own gaps at the deadline. No more AAA "sooners". Right now we have more at AA & AAA we need to sell before we lose them in the Rule 5 draft, no? Joey, David, whom do you expect we'll lose if we don't protect them on the 40 or trade up by packaging them in more 2- or 3-for-1 deals?