Josh Lile

The trade deadline is looming. Texas might have the most tradeable good commodity on the market in Milton Bradley, but what do they do? The question is do the Rangers sell high on Milton and risk dropping hard in the standings in the 2nd half, or do they keep him with the intent of resigning him?

It would be relatively easy to build a case saying that Milton Bradley was the best free agent signing of the offseason. He’s leading the American League in slugging and on base percentage. He started the All Star game in place of David Ortiz, and helps the Rangers offense immensely by protecting Josh Hamilton from being pitched around.

If GM Jon Daniels makes the decision to deal Bradley what happens to the lineup? Chris Davis likely moves up in the order, but how well can a rookie help protect Hamilton in the order? Also what kind of message does it sent to the Rangers clubhouse? Mike Young publicly stated last year that he didn’t want to be part of rebuilding. The team is significantly better this year than last, but what will he think if Milton is dealt?

What about the return? Colorado reportedly wants to scorch the earth in their return for Matt Holliday. Is he really a much better pick up than Bradley? The same issue arises here that arises with the question about the Rangers catching. What do you look to get? The best pitching prospect you can get, or the best players period? Considering his age: pull a Teixeira. Get the absolute max you can get for Milton if you move him.

With all of this being said, I’m against moving Milton. He is as key to the lineup as the other 3 all stars. If the Rangers are overwhelmed with talent in packages why move him? He’s young enough that he can contribute on a winning team here. The dude has found a home here. He loves playing here and by all accounts loves his teammates. Why mess that up? You only mess that up if you get a roster altering bundle of talent in return. Daniels has shown that he can max out a return, but he’s also made a mistake or 3 in the trade market. As far as I’m concerned make this decision an easy one. Keep Milton.

Nich Hall

An announced crowd of 44,260 fans albeit a divided crowd were witness to a hitting explosion from Garret Anderson and the Angels. The Angels got to the Sox 23 year old starter Clay Buchholtz immediately pounding him early for three runs in the first. But if anyone thought that would be enough for the Angels they clearly haven’t seen the Red Sox in Anaheim before. Kevin Youkillis hit a two run homer in the second inning to bring them right back into the game, then in the top of fourth Manny Ramirez went yard and the game was tied and the crowd a buzz. As the announcers mentioned this game had a definite playoff feel to it. But unlike the specters of playoff matchups past the Angels had an answer for the Sox long game. In the bottom of the fourth Garret Anderson, who had a monster night 5 RBI’s, three singles, send the go ahead homer over the wall. With the lead in hand once again the Halos went about putting the game away. In the fifth inning the Angels sent Buchholz packing as they tagged on another four runs, followed up by three more in the sixth.

Given a second chance with the lead the Angels’ ace John Lackey didn’t disappoint, going seven innings surrendering only five hits with six strikeouts, including his career 1,000th strikeout. Terry Francona the Sox manager described Lackey as, “a tremendous pitcher.” The Angels Justin Speier and Darren O’Day each pitched a scoreless inning to round out the Angels 11-3 win over Boston, their third in four games against the defending World Series champions this season. With the win the Angels now have the best record and baseball and now sit seven games ahead of Oakland. As Lackey mentioned the Angels, “just have to keep handling our business.”

Their mission continues this afternoon as FOX’s Game of the Week features a tremendous pitching matchup between Joe Saunders and the Sox Josh Beckett. Beckett will make his first start this season against L.A. but he holds a 2-0 lifetime record against the club. On the other side Joe Saunders pitched the third game of the set these clubs played in Boston, a 7-5 Angels win.

12:55 PT Beckett (9-5, 3.94) @ Saunders (12-5, 3.07)

Josh Lile

Starting about 13 months ago the Texas Rangers began a massive farm system restocking that has vaulted the talent level of their minor league affiliates to the upper stratosphere of the baseball world. The emphasis has been on building up as much strength up the middle as possible, and pitching. The greatest success thus far has been behind the plate.

Due to injuries and Saltalamacchia’s flu the Rangers have their 3 top catching prospects all on the pro roster. Max Ramirez, Taylor Teagarden, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are all currently active on the 25 man roster. All 3 have a ton to prove, but at this point its hard not to think that Ramirez and Teagarden are much more major league ready than Saltalamacchia.

With Chris Davis entrenched at 1B and Milton Bradley sharing DH duties with Josh Hamilton to keep both bats in the lineup having 3 developing young catchers on the roster would appear to be detrimental to their development. However we’re creeping into late July now. The trade deadline is coming quickly and ferociously. It smells a lot like the Rangers are shopping their depth.

I’ve been of the mind for a while now that Max Ramirez and Taylor Teagarden are the catching duo of the Rangers future. Max can rake, and he isn’t that bad defensively. Teagarden can play the D necessary of a catcher. Salty, while only 22, can’t hit lefties or play adequate D at 1B or C. At 22 he’s still going to have a considerable value. He’s the one id be moving for sure, but for what?

Normally I’m of the mind that you deal for the best players available. This is a different case though. The Rangers pitching is so terrible that I think you have to deal him in a deal for the best young pitcher you can find even if you have to add another reasonable piece. Starter or reliever? Doesn’t matter. The Rangers built up depth at scarce positions to be in a position of strength when it came to trade season. Here they are, and their depth is blossoming. It’s time to improve the pitching FINALLY.