A very interesting Newberg Report

To a very small extent, I guess there is some value to a GM saying “hey, we got their #1 prospect!” but this is really a PR stunt only, and isn’t something that a good GM is going to do.

I think Jamey’s example that a team like the Cardinals isn’t going to bite on JMJ because he isn’t a top five prospect in this system is a little misleading. The Cardinals probably won’t bit on JMJ because he isn’t more than a mid-tier prospect: he’s getting up there in age and even though this year has been pretty good, he doesn’t have a great track record.

Now, will the Rangers system depth increase the initial asking price? Sure – if you go into a car dealership and say “i just got a $20K bonus and want to buy a car!,” you aren’t going to get a great initial offer from the guy, and negotiations may be tough. But that doesn’t mean he is going to refuse your $16K offer and sell that car for $15K to some other guy.

We shouldn’t be trading for anyone. We should be the ones trading players other teams want and get back what we want. We shouldn’t be buyers. Unless a Hamilton-esque player is available to us. And by that I mean a young superstud who we would have control of for 3-4 years. Those type of players aren’t available midseason and if they are they would be in exchange for one of our veterans like Bradley or Padilla or such.

how the other teams perceive the Rangers interest in a player. If the Rangers are in first place at the deadline and are looking to beef up their bullpen or get a righty power bat, then yeah, those teams will probably try to bend JD over and have their way with him.

HOWEVER, since the Rangers probably won’t need to make a move like that, I don’t think any team is going to have that kind of leverage. Will they ask for those players? Hell, yes. Will they get them? I doubt it.

Any GM shopping a player is going to get the best deal he possibly can. In the Rangers situation, I think they will be in a position to outbid several teams without having to “mortgage the future”.

will be out for 2 weeks before he pitches again. It was a bad move by JD to DFA Tejeda, but he hasn’t done anything here to lose any sleep over it.

He may go somewhere else and find it, but that doesn’t mean he would have eventually done well here. He has had plenty of chances both in the rotation and ‘pen and needed to move on.

I don’t buy the argument about the Rangers deep farm system effecting trades. If a team wants someone like Blalock, Catalanotto, Byrd, etc. they will do what it takes to get them. JD doesn’t have to trade anyone. As long as JD negotiates honestly and fairly, the deals will get done.

inconsistent as relief pitchers are I say bring up W.Madrigal and see what he can do, this team needs some bullpen help, I also think in situations like tonight a tie game in the 6th you bring in D.Mathis, if he’s here he needs to pitch more often!