Today is indeed a sad sad day.  The Texas Rangers home games will come to a close, as well as their season.  We saw the potential in their lineup all season long light up the score boards, but once again, pitching failed us.  Kinsler, Hamilton, Bradley, Murphey, Byrd, Vasquez (early on) and Blalock (later on) all showed us their true hitting forms, almost all of which ended up over .300 for the season.  Even without pitching, we created enough offense, for quite a while, to actually be in playoff conversations along with Boston, Tampa Bay, Chicago, LA, and all the other October regulars (although this is indeed Tampa Bays first appearance).  Even with the worst pitching staff in the majors, giving up the most runs and using the most pitchers out of any team in the Bigs, we saw potential in our young gunners. 

Matt Harrison started off in AA early on in the year, and now he can be considered a shoe-in for the number 2 spot in the rotation.  He might end up with more wins than our "most experienced" pitcher, Kevin Millwood.  That may not speak to the Texas public very loudly, but he has potential we may never see again (just as long as we dont TRADE HIM!).  Thanks to the Jamey Newberg report, Ive recently been following the Texas farm systems, and according to him, the Rangers have quite a bit of serious pitchers down there.  Give it a couple of years and you'll see.  Harrison, Madrigal, Nippert, and all our other young guys got the first year experience they needed this year!  Now its time to show the rest of the league that we CAN compete.

Necessary Deals:  We need to trade off these players, even though they have talent, theres no room for oldies any more.  Get rid of Laird, hes good, but we can bait in a good younger pitcher with his prospect of a good catcher for another team.  Slaty, Ramierez, and Teagarden will work...Especially Teagarden (my new favorite ranger).  Millwood, GO AWAY!  The only time he pitches well, or not on the DL is in the end of the season when were out of contention.  Milton Bradley would be a good piece to trade, but I honestly think that would be a mistake.  He's contending for a batting title, and would do wonders for us again next season.  K Im in class and my Prof is gettin antsy with me :)  Adios all!