Merry Christmas everyone.  Hope you all enjoy spending the day with family and loved ones.  It's been a pleasure to know such intellegent people and it's even better to be part of, imo, the best community around. 

So on this Christmas Day, share the love and remember 2010 is our target year for a championship, and don't settle for anything less.

From Big Badd Bubba J aka NYTXFAN....Dots dont count as words like in the old version.

Sorry guys if this was posted, but I have to address a big issue I have with this article as well as some other points of interest:

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081201&content_id=3697780&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

My issue right here: "The Rangers have had extended conversations with the Red Sox but have been told that Clay Buchholz is not available. The Red Sox have other pitching of interest to the Rangers -- Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden among others -- but so far the two teams have not been able to match up. That's likely because the Red Sox want Saltalamacchia or Teagarden rather than Laird."

R u fucking kidding?  Is JD really asking Boston to trade Buchz for Laird?  If so, I'm sorry, but I would be jumping on the "fire JD" bandwagon real fast.  How can you not give up a Salts or Tea for him?  That doesn't even make sense and JD really needs to trade either or for him if that's on the table.  Laird will never get a Buchz type pitcher.  He might be enough for a good bullpen arm, but definitely not a stud pitching prosepct.

"The other area of depth is the outfield. Byrd, David Murphy, Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton were all regulars at some point last year, while Brandon Boggs and Greg Golson -- recently acquired from the Phillies -- provide depth. Julio Borbon, the top outfield prospect, is close to being Major League ready."

F'N AWESOME!!!  When have we ever had quality depth in the outfield?  Well, not since the playoffs days at least.  I remember a few years back when we were all bitching about how this team had no outfield, remember.  Do you remember the Mench hidalgo, laynce Nyx outfields we used to put on the field? 

"Daniels still think there's a "good chance" the Rangers will make a move involving at least one of their catchers before the winter is over."

Good to hear Mr. Daniels because is we don't I think I will vomit.

Aw fuck: "We're OK bringing back all four guys if it comes down to that and the right deal is not out there," Daniels said." There goes the good chance.

"The biggest question is what kind of pitching the Rangers can get back in a trade. The Rangers look for both starting and relief pitching."

I think I could live with a nice bullpen arm for Laird.  Someone dependable and cheap.  I could also live with a maybe not so near to near ready prospect for the other catchers, but starting pitching not so much.  Like Adam said in the front page news, our rotation might be set.  Right now it's crowded with competition so I could live with a high upside minor league arm who might be ready in a year or two, but if we can get a stud now, then you do it.

Anyway, a lot of good spicy stuff in there so talk it up and sorry if it was posted already.

Here is an interesting post from mlbtraderumors.com where a writer tries to predict the Tigers off season.  Of course it includes a blurb about Texas maybe being a potential partner for a trade.  The Tigers need a SS and a veteran catcher(according to Jim Leyland).  

"The Tigers could also look to the Rangers for a shortstop. They have Elvis Andrus and Joaquin Arias in the pipeline, as well as Michael Young, whose five-year, $80MM extension just begins kicking in for 2009. To get a catcher and a shortstop from Texas, I would imagine, wouldn't happen without the inclusion of Rick Porcello."

Let the discussion begin.  If I remember correctly, Mr. Porcello was someone that many people wish was drafted by Texas.  We needed a highly touted pitcher that could possibly make an impact within a few years at the major league level.  However, that didn't happen and we drafted both Blake Beavan AND Michael Main before Rick Porcello was even drafted.

If I were the Rangers, I'd be intriged with that name if the Tigers were willing to talk.  I might even give them their choice of catcher.  SS is a different story because you have Elvis who is less than a year away before he make a debut and Arias hasn't exactly shown that he can man SS.  Young wouldn't be taken unless we kicked in some cash because the Tigers want to get younger, not older.

I'm actually torn about it really.  Lets say the Tigers want Tea and Elvis, do you do it?  Or Salts and Elvis, do you think Detroit does it? Do you see Leyland  trading for maybe two experienced players like Laird and Young?

Realistically, what package do you see both teams agreeing on? Discuss.

Did any one see this?  Reeves wrote it and Im sure it's been posted and talked about.

There’s also no question that Daniels will try to add a young starter from outside the organization with a trade, probably from the Rangers’ abundant depth at catcher. They were highly interested in Florida’s Chris Volstad at the trade deadline and were willing to deal Gerald Laird and a solid prospect. They’ll look for similar opportunities this winter.

He is young, fits JD's mold.  It's a shame it didn't happen.  He seems to have a bright future in baseball, but of course not with us.  When does a pitcher besides Nolan have a good future with us.  Anybody?

Well, my time at the Yankees game on Weds. was jaw dropping.  they beat the O's en route to a 13 to 2 win.  I'll tell ya what, for being a day game at 1 o'clock, I was very suprised to see so many people turn out to see a game.  In one word, WoW!  If anybody ever gets the chance to see a game there this year I highly recommend it, even if you aren't a fan of the stupid Yanks.  Amazing time I had, but on to the results.

Its amazing that when I proposed a trade it either was majority no, or majority yes.  Nothing really in the middle.  You know its hard to actually make both teams happy with a trade, thus making it difficult to find trading partners.  Especially ones that are contenders.  We didn't match up with every team.  So during our activity me as GM, along with lonestarballers across the nation, completed 3 out of 10 trades.  I think that's actually pretty damn good.  We get slight salary relief but nothing major. 

We aquired Alan Horne, Austin Jackson, Donald Veal, and Homer Bailey.  We traded away Padzilla, Cruz, Eddie"G Money", The ByrdMan, and Lard.  A decent package of pitchers and out of the four players acquired I think the outfielder Jackson becomes the biggest star out of the bunch.  However, Veal and Bailey should rebound on whats been a mildly dissapointing season where they have seemed to loose what they once had.  I think Horne becomes a solid #3 pitcher, even on a contending team.

So for 2009, I believe Horne gets a shot in Sring Training to oh and ah people, but ultimately starts the year in AAA.  Same goes for Jackson, although I think he gets sent back to AA until there is a spot for him in AAA, because I'd imagine Borbon would be there.  Veal and Bailey get a deep look in Spring training and I think both guys make the team with one going to long relief with Mr. Rupe.  If I had to take an educated guess I'd say it would be Veal.  Of course, all our players will struggle some, but I think this turns out to be a very special SP unit.

Our SP contains the oft-injured Millwodd anchoring a rotation with ? marks.  It would be nice to see BMac rebound so huge that he nails down the #2 slot, which to me isn't all that far away.  Hurley slides in behind him, followed by Mr. Harrison, and Homer"Duh"Bailey.  Of course you have Feldman, Veal, Hunter, and Neftali all waiting in the wings.  Ultimately, I believe, this is how your 25 man roster and position battles turn out come the start of 2009:

SP

Millwood

BMac

Hurley

Harrison

Bailey

RP(closer will be by committee next year, due to CJ being the only lefty in the pen and him being needed for more than just the 9th inning-take a guess on who comes out on top, Im guessing Fx2)

CJ Wilson

Frank Francisco

Warner Madrigal

Hunter

Veal

Rupe

Nippert

Your outfield looks like this:

"The Murph"/Boggs tandem

Hammy

Bradley

Your infield stays intact except for the Catcher spot:

Davis

Kins

Young

Blalock

Tea/Salts

Your bench is as follows:

MaxRam

Duran

Metcalf

Bold Predictions for the 08 offseason and 09 season:

I think we keep it fairly quite in the offseason and do all are promoting within.

Bradley signs a 2 year extention this offseason. 

You know MaxRam's bat will force him into the lineup either at DH, 1st, or catcher. 

Bradley wont be playing everyday in RF so you basically will see the outfield the same way as you do now, except hammy gets more reps in RF preparing himself for the switch in 2 years for Borbon or Jackson, whoever comes first.

The SP hold up and your #2-5 starters remain on the field without hitting the DL(Of course we'll have the occasional spot starts to give these kids some rest, and of course a blister or what not that causes them to miss a start here and there).

Millwood gets traded and brings a bigger return then Pads did the year before.

"The Murph"/Boggs Tandem replaces Kins at the top of the order, followed by Young, Hammy, Davis. Kinsler becomes your much needed #5 bat.  Bradley slides into the sixth spot.  Followed by MaxRam, Blalock, and Tea.

Our bullpen is making news by being the best in baseball. 

Our offense scores more runs than opponents score on us. 

Guys that see promotions to the bigs are as follows: Diamond, Arias, Mayberry and Feliz.  Please don't ask me how they fit into the 25 man roster that I put into place because honestly so much could happen by then making it nessesary for them to be put on the 25 man(Injury, trades, etc.).

So there you go, your new 25 man.  Hope you guys enjoyed our activity and be ready because I plan to do the same come Winter Meetings.  Any ideas and or suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks,

B3J

Quick review everybody:  We traded Pads, Lard,Cruz, Byrd, and Eddie G for minor leaguers Horne, Jackson, Veal, and Bailey.  Impressive haul if you ask me.  Three very good prospect pitchers(Bailey shouldn't count), and a CF prospect who holds a high value.

Breaking news: The Texa Rangers trade Hank Blalock to the Phillies for Antonio Bastardo, and Julian Sampson.

This last one is hard because I dont see us as a fit with Philly and Im rushing it.  So vote and come Friday or late thursday I'll have a final break down on our activity.

Im off to NY in less than 24 hours to see the Yanks and Orioles so enjoy everybody.

So the Mets trade got shot down, which is nice.  I really dont want Davis to get traded, he is a beast in the making.

The second trade is official.  The Rangers trade Gerald"OMFT"Laird to the Cincinnati Reds for Homer"Duh" Bailey.

On to todays trade. 

Breaking News: the Texas Rangers Trade RF Milton Bradley and German Duran to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor leaguers Jarrod Parker and Brooks Brown.

Duran could be a possible stop gap at second if they let Hudson go after this year, but who knows, Duran could take advantage of playing everyday.  He should hit for average, right?  Bradley is the big RF bat they lack right now.  They have the pitching to go deep into the playoffs, but do they have the offense?

At first glance, you might say why they hell would they trade their #1 prospect and another top 10 for a half a season of Bradley and a possible utilty infielder?  Bradley is getting the 'Backs two picks if he leaves and with an already stacked system their GM isn't afraid to make a deal for an impact bat.

Would you do it?

This one comes from Boomer and it got me thinking. 

Breaking news:  The Rangers trade Gerald Laird for Homer Bailey.

Now I think Bailey would get lit up but he is worth the flyer.  I dont see Laird fitting in long term here and I doubt he has a big bounce back type year that makes us go " Damn it, we shouldn't have traded him."

We  Get a pitcher who is major league ready, but hasn't seen any success at this level. 

Well guys Im leaving for NYC to see the Yanks and Orioles game on Tues.  The tickets for the game I have is on Weds.  So I guess I didn't plan these diaries occordingly.  So 2 trades today and 2 trades tomorrow. 

 Well we just traded for Donald Veal and gave up not one part of our future and in doing so can now get Boggs and The Murph more playing time.  We also gave up Eddie G Money which to me isnt a huge dissapointment because of his age.

quick review, we have lost Pads, cruz, G Money, and the Birdman and recieved Alan Horne, Austin Jackson, and Donald Veal.  Not bad at all imo.

Breaking News:  The Rangers trade Milton Bradley and Chris Davis to the Mets for Fernando Martinez, Eddie Kunz,  Nathan Vineyard, and Brant Rustich.

The mets could live without getting Bradley, but do they want to? Church and Alou are both injured and they are throwing out Tatis and Chavez, not ideal if you ask me.  Bradley is a big bat who can still play right field.  He seems to be more durable then we Rangers feel.   I think we have been taking it easy on him because of his history.  Davis is the future 1st baseman for them and should be demmed expandable once Smoak signs.  Of course though I don't want Davis gone because he is a beast in the making, but this is a fun activity people, take it with a grain of salt.

We get a future closer, a high cieling arm in Vineyard, and a pitcher who will most likely be a starter but could dominat in the pen, Rustich.  Of course we also get another amazing outfielder in Martinez.  What an outfield we would have if we aquired him. 

I think Bradley could net the three pitchers by himself and I guess I added Davis to the mix because he should be able to get Martinez.  Davis is Major League ready, unlike Martinez.

Im voting no on this one, but I would like everyones input so Im throwing it out there.

Well yesterdays fantasy trade went how I expected with almost everybody saying no.  And that is the way it should have gone.  I just like to make sure everyone here is on the same page about our future.

Breaking news: The Rangers trade Marlon Byrd and Eddie G for Chicago Cubs' Donald Veal.

I definitely know they don't trade Veal straight up for either player, but I think this trade works nicely.

Chicago gets the right handed hitting outfielder that can cover center they've been looking for and another arm for the pen plus possibly two picks for G Money.

And we get a potential above average pitcher, that's a lefty I might add.

Remember, JD tried to get Gallagher and Murton for Byrd.  So remember that when voting.  Now they are in a pennant race and could use him and Eddie Money.  I did think about adding Boggs, but he isn't a lou Pinella type player.