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Behind the paywall, Evan Grant says the Rangers need another starting pitcher, and that Roy Oswalt needs to decide now that he wants to be a Ranger. I disagree with both premises, of course, and I also find it interesting that at least one national writer tweeted yesterday that there are those in the Rangers' front office who don't really want Oswalt, despite the fact that Nolan Ryan clearly does want him.
Randy Galloway, who in spring training said the Rangers should offer Josh Hamilton no more than 3 years, $60 million to stay in Texas, now says the Rangers should offer Hamilton whatever it takes to keep him here, even if that means $180 million. Galloway's justification?
You don't let immense talent walk. Immense talent always stays. Even if you overpay, immense talent, the best talent in baseball, stays -- warts, demons and all.
I guess, under the "you don't let immense talent walk" theory, the Cardinals were fools for not topping what Anaheim offered Albert Pujols. There comes a time where you let immense talent walk, and that's when the number to keep immense talent -- particularly immense talent in its 30s, with a troublesome injury history and an approach that isn't likely to age well -- doesn't make sense.
The column is worth reading though, as Galloway also acknowledges Hamilton and his agent seem intent on getting the biggest dollar amount possible -- something that's been reported for a while, even though the Pollyannas seem intent on ignoring in, thinking Hamilton will take a significant discount to stay in Texas -- and talking about how Hamilton having a babysitter and getting special treatment didn't go over well in the Cincinnati clubhouse, and particularly with Ken Griffey, Jr., and Adam Dunn.
Richard Durrett has a "stock report" at the ESPN Dallas blog.
The Rangers' website notes talk about the waiver claim of John Gaub and Kevin Matthews being sent to Hickory.