I chose 82 wins because I believe it would be a great accomplishment to win more than you lose with such a young team. Give or take a win wouldn’t really change that. It’s just a goal.

success won’t be measured by how many wins we end up with, but rather by 2 measures:

1) Are the young players given adequate playing time?

2) How JD goes about trades…Does he trade the right pieces and does he receive optimal returns for these players?

as seeing some of these young guys sieze roles.

I would consider the rest of the season a HUGE success if…

...CJ could lock down the closer position and make us all comfortable with a lead in the ninth again.

...Salty siezes this opportunity and shows improved defense and power.

...Hurley and Feldman continue to look like serviceable ML starters.

...Max and CD adjust to big league pitching successfully.

...Boggs and Murphy combined look to be above average 3rd/4th outfielders.

...the impact arms in the low minors stay healthy.

success with a young rebuilding team isn’t measured by wins/loses. It is all about how well the young players are developing and improving as well as maximizing their playing time. Granteed if the kids play well the Rangers will win more games, but we still have to remember to be patient when/if a couple of these kids struggle. Salty is a prime example.

The Rangers also need to continue to build this system and keep it restocked with good young players. They will never out spend the Yanks, Halos, BoSox and some other teams. There are players on this team that don’t fit into future plans. This year’s deadline will be almost as important as last year’s in terms of getting rid of some that aren’t a part of the future and getting back some more good young prospects.

trading Bradley and one of Millwood or Padilla at the deadline. Next year’s draft does not look to be a strong one, and if Bradley can garner 2 or 3 legitimate prospects, I would much rather have that than the picks. His value is at its peak and it is looking more and more like he should play the majority of his games at DH to mitigate the risk of injury. With Ramirez and Davis joining the fold, we have little need for a DH at this point. Trading one of those two would give us a better opportunity to see guys like Mendoza, McCarthy, Hurley, Feldman, Gabbard, and any trade additions in the second half. And frankly, I do not trust Millwood’s long term fitness and Padilla’s long term consistancy, although, if given the choice, I would rather trade Millwood and let Padilla remain a Ranger in his contract year.

Also, and somewhat selfishly, I am hoping this team finishes with a record that shows improvement but also allows the team to draft in the first half of the first round next June, so we can go out and sign an impact free agent without losing our first pick.

I’m not all that concerned about the win/loss columns. I’m much more concerned about seeing younger guys get playing time and big league experience. Guys like Hurley, MaxRam, Duran, Boggs, Davis, etc, etc, and to a lesser extent more experience for Hamilton, Murphy and Kinsler. I’d much rather go through growing season finish the season with a good idea of who’s a player and who’s just a guy.

Also, as long as they don’t start to think they’re seriously in contention for a playoff spot and become ‘buyers’ at the break.

1. Develop some youngsters. Kinsler, Salty, CD, Max, Hurley, Feldman, Duran, Boggs, ect.

2. Make a couple of good deadline deals. I’m looking at you Blalock, Cat, a catcher or two and maaaaybe, if you’re blown away, Bradley (otherwise, resign the shit out of him).

3. Either: a) make the playoffs, or b) finish in the bottom 15 so our ‘09 1st rounder gets protected as hell.

Please never say that again.

Ever.