as much as i hate talking about clubhouse leadership and heart, there's definitely some aspects that need to be considered. At least this offseason, you have that figuring in with the Marlon Byrd situation and we might have seen the problems that created when Dellucci left.

is getting paid enough for intangibles and leadership to cover the entire team for the next decade. Tell him to step up the leadership.

I'm just glad we picked up a few guys who can actually play baseball, like Bradley and Hamilton.

I don't care how much "leadership" you have, you aren't gonna win much without much talent, and last year's team wasn't particularly talented. Last year's team had an infield and a bullpen, and thats about it.

While I think that "heart" is overrated, I do think that clubhouse negatives do have impact. And by negatives I don't mean Milton Bradley's "attitude problem", which I have always seen as intensity and a net positive.

Last year, three distractions contributed significantly to the team stumbling out of the gate for : a> conflict between Washington and players (i.e., Laird, Teixeira); b> the huge distraction of the inevitable Teixeira trade; and c> Sammy Sosa.

Where leadership comes in is the ability of the team to overcome these distrcations and focus on what was important (winning games). And we didn't see that last year - the Laird situation spiraled out of control, the offense stayed in a funk until June, and Teixeira remained a distraction until he was finally traded.

I think this year the Rangers are in a better situation because while there are some negative story-lines (Laird vs Salty; someone is about to be really unhappy); the potential positive stories are much stronger (Hamilton (of course), a comeback by Jason Jennings, and a hopefully healthy, friendly Milton Bradley)

I was just having a 5 AM moment of extreme humor. That happens when I've gotten to bed way too late and have to get up way too early.

I do think Milton Bradley will do a lot to fire up this team this year in the clubhouse... that wasn't what I was taking issue with. It's the reference to Eric Young and David Dellucci by Miles I'm not so sure about. Dellucci had one good year here, and Young was here for exactly one mediocre season - those aren't the type of players I'd want back on this team.

I think it's fine if you can find a guy with some heart/fire that also has some talent - but let's not start wishing for mediocre players, just becuase the have "heart".

Now who's not appreciating the sarcasm?

I had hoped that since you all read FJM as well, you guys might get it... judging by some of these responses however, I guess not.

that hurt the farm system?

The plan includes signing significant free agents when the opportunity arises. The team needs pitchers and outfielders, and those two were widely considered top options at the time. Signing Zito and/or Hunter would not in any way have precluded the development of their young pitchers or outfielders.

One of the most voiced complaints these days is that Hicks is somehow cheap. He has said he's willing to open the bank for the right players. These two examples and the posting offer for Matsuzaka prove that. The fact that Zito and Hunter ended up getting way too much money does not change that.

Offering large contracts to the biggest names on the free agent market does not seem to me to get owners on the list of 5 worst owners in baseball. Owners shouldn't go after top free agents?

Please tell me in what specific ways Hicks qualifies for this short list, but only with examples from the last 18 months. I'll grant you that he was stupid for his first few years. My position is that he's improved and you're not suggesting anything to change my mind.

You realize when "The Plan" took effect right? It was about the middle of May last year after we got off to our horrendous start and JD finally got Hicks to open his eyes and see that we needed to focus on the long term success of the organization rather than try and do a quick fix every year. The Zito offer was still during the previous plan where we were always "one piece away". And personally I believe the Hunter offer was Hicks listening to the fans and media who were so insistant on a "hometown" guy playing here they got in his head.

Hopefully now that its apparent JD has Hicks trust and Nolan is a buffer so to speak Hicks won't get these ideas that we are one piece away until we actually are. And when that time comes I believe JD and Nolan will decide who that one piece is and Hicks will do whatever it takes to get it.

So your contention is that:

A) JD is thoroughly incompetent and incapable. He has no idea what he's doing.

B) Ryan is a man to be trusted in all matters baseball.

If that is the case, then when:

C) Ryan gives JD a full vote of confidence, proclaiming that Daniels and his plan are a MAJOR reason for coming on board...

Then I believe what we have here is one of them there logical fallacies I heard tell of.

When did I say ask those teams about Nolan Ryan? I was making the comparison of a former HOF player who took over as either a front office personnel or a coach and their teams still stink. Just because you add a former great player doesn't mean his past success on the field will translate to a new generations success on the field.