MLB Free Agent Watch...

So, the Hot Stove season is upon us, I thought it'd be relevant to take a look at the 10 biggest names available through free agency, and then take a look at the Ranger impact going into next season.

My Top 10 Free Agents:

1) Alex Rodriguez
Ahh yes, who is willing to "pull a Tom Hicks" and cripple their franchise for 10 years in dropping what might go up to $350 million to sign the Dan Marino of baseball. My money is on the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles Southern California

2) Jorge Posada
He'll stay in New York, let's not argue the issue.

3) Mike Lowell
After winning the world series in Boston, will they pay him? If they won't, do you think he'd seek greener (dollars) pastures and go to another AL East team that happens to need a 3B to play beside a older, herpes-ridden Derek Jeter? (I think he stays put in Douchetown, USA)

4) Torii Hunter
You know, Pat Lackey over at Fanhouse thinks signing Hunter is a bad idea. I disagree. Thought it's true, Hunter is 31 and is not exactly in the upswing of his career, you can't argue that he is one of the best center fielders in baseball, and he's worth the $15 million a year. Will he stay in the AL Central and go to the ChiSox or maybe he wants to come home?

5) Mariano Rivera
Mo Rivera is an interesting figure. When you think of the greatest closers of all time, doesn't Rivera's name come in with the biggest names in history? However, hasn't he been losing his killer instinct as of late? Used to be, you heard "Enter Sandman" and it was like "Hell's Bells" and Trevor Hoffman in San Diego, game over. Now? Not so much. In the end? He's staying in New York.

6) Barry Bonds
Ahh yes. San Fransisco doesn't want him. He doesn't want to "just be a DH". Who wants that PR nightmare? The Rangers picked up Sosa last year and he produced for them with limited distraction, but I don't think that'll fly with Bonds. I really can't put Bonds anywhere, but I don't see him DH-ing for Kansas City or something retarded like that.

7) Carlos Silva
Interested in a young, starting ground ball pitcher? I thought you were. Silva's going to have too many suitors to count, and it's going to be a pissing contest of dollars. Don't be surprised to see the east coast jump into the fray...Mets, Yankees, Orioles, etc.

8) Andrew Jones
Another Boras guy. Another quality center fielder, but one that had a down year last year in Atlanta. He'll stay in the National League. I could see him maybe going to play in Washington with Dmitri Young or out in LA with the Dodgers.

9) Kosuke Fukudome
This year's hot Japanese import. A quality defensive outfielder (corners or center), but this guy in an on-base machine with speed. Seeing as he is this year's Matsuzaka, you'll see a lot of teams going after him. Think of teams who need outfielders.

10) Fransisco "Coco" Cordero
When Coco was in Arlington, he was one of those closers who appeared to let team's come back to make it seem interesting and then he's close it out. Then he'd go cold and everyone would hate him. Then Jon Daniels traded him and Shrek for what amounted to Nelson Cruz. He'll stay in Brew town.


The Rangers need to go for....

Well, well, well, seems that now the Rangers have a bit of cash to play around with.
A-Rod opts out that gives $21.3 million to play with, Wilkerson's contract, Lofton's contract, just to name a few.

All in all, I'd say that Daniels and Hicks have about $40-50 million to play with this year.

Question is, what do they do?

Well, they can push Saltalamachhia to first and leave Laird at catcher, and that fills two holes. If they decide to put Salty at catcher, then they'll trade Laird and get pieces that way. They have a glaring hole in the outfield, questionable third base stamina with Blalock, and the normal pitching issues.

My hopes? The Rangers go to Japan and get Bobby Valentine to tell them who to get:
1) Kosuke Fukudome OF- They can get him significantly cheaper than Torii Hunter, he's younger, an on-base machine and how can you pass up his last name? Sure, it's really pronounced "Foo-koo-doe-may", but I will call him "Fuck You Do Me".

2) Hiroki Kuroda SP - He's not a guy who could start in front of Millwood, but he'd be a solid 3 or 4. The question is, isn't that where you want the Rangers to develop their own guys? Loe, McCarthy, Tejeda, Gabbard, Volquez, Diamond, etc. This is debatable

3) Hitoki Iwase CP - Gagne is gone and Otsuka is a decent setup guy. I'd rather get a younger, more polished closer and let Otsuka remain the setup guy. If you can get your starters to roll through 6 innings, then go Littleton - Otsuka - Iwase, I'd be happy.

The problem with all these Japanese guys is that Trey Hillman got hired in Kansas City. Trey Hillman is one of those up and coming managers and he's been in Japan slowly building his resume. He knows who to go for, and they'd be comfortable playing for him.

4) Torii Hunter CF - He's a local guy. He's proved what he can do. Fans love Torii Hunter. The Rangers have the money. Come on, it's too perfect not to do it.

5) Richie Sexon 1B - He's not a free agent, but the Rangers need some help at first if they aren't going to move Salty out there. Blalock has been working with Washington at third, so I'm not a fan of shifting Blalock over. Sexon might work out better in that role at first. He had a shitty year last year, so it ain't like he can't get better.