What does Cliff Lee to the Phillies Mean for the Rangers?

So what does Cliff Lee going to the Philadelphia Phillies mean for the Texas Rangers? It is not as bad for the Rangers as you think.

Since the Rangers didn’t give a monster contract to Cliff Lee, there will now be enough money to keep the current roster in tact. The Rangers could add another starting pitcher by trading prospects or sign one of the free agent pitchers left on the market. The Cliff Lee deal would have been great for the next couple of years, but the last 2-3 years of the deal he would most likely be on the decline. So money wise the deal would have been worth it in the short-term, but a burden to the Rangers in the long-term.

Talk has moved on to the possible trade options: Zach Grienke, current Kansas City Royals ace and Matt Garza of the Tampa Bay Rays who is more of a number 2 guy. Either of these moves will probably cost the Rangers part of the long-term future, just like the Cliff Lee deal would. Both of the Rays and Royals will ask for too much, and for this reason I think that Jon Daniels will end up targeting the free agent market for starting pitchers with an upside that can be had at a decent price.

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Michael Young Wants Trade From Texas Rangers

While America looks on the Yankees spending money left and right on the top two free agent pitchers and one of the top hitting free agents in Mark Texiera, Texas Ranger fans have nothing new to look forward too.

Michael Young

Now the Texas Rangers say their shortstop of the future is Elvis Andrus, moving five time All-Star and former All-Star MVP Michael Young to third base. Young says the Texas Rangers won’t hear his concerns, and made this announcement without consulting him, and now wants to be moved to a team that wants him at short stop.

Jon Daniels believes this will all be worked out and Michael Young will be with the Rangers in 2009… at third base.

While Michael Young is the face of the franchise and unofficial team captain, if Jon Daniels won’t let him state his case and keeps him with the team, will the Texas Ranger’s clubhouse face another Mark Texiera episode?

Also, while other teams are out at least trying to talk to free agents, what have the Rangers been doing? Trading Gerald Laird for two minor league prospects that reportedly won’t even get an invite to spring training.

With less than five weeks until pitchers and catchers report, do the Rangers have time to make an impact before the start of the 2009 season?