DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS!!!

Robin Ventura certainly learned not to mess with Texas. Furthermore, Robin Ventura learned never to cross Nolan Ryan. At midnight on August 5, 2010 the future of the Texas Rangers was improved for the better and immediately the dividends started paying off. Nolan Ryan was holding the reigns of this sled that previously could not make payroll, and he has, in under one year, turned this cellar dweller of a ball-club into a beast.

One of the first signs that Nolan Ryan was serious about making the Rangers a contender - making the trade that brought Cliff Lee to the Rangers last year. True, Ryan did not have full control, but it was he that made this deal happen. For what it is worth, take a look at the end result: Ryan made the deal and the Rangers made it to the World Series. If the Red Sox or Yankess pull off that trade, you can bet they would have been to the dance in place of the Rangers.

This season, the Rangers have made smart signings and are not afraid to spend money. Moreover, they are not afraid to make a splash in the trade market. Though I am an absolute die-hard Boston Red Sox fan, how can you not love seeing a team like the Rangers come from the depths of dire straits, barely making payroll, suddenly a powerhouse, deservedly in the same conversation as the Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies?

According to FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, "The team gives every indication that it will be quite active again before Sunday's non-waiver deadline, showing varying levels of interest in several big names:Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran, Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, Padres closer Heath Bell and the Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda." All of which are widely considered to be the hottest players on the trade market. In 2009, the Rangers would not have been able to sniff these deals, now, they are top contenders.

The lineup that the Rangers could feature after July 31st would be considered one of the best since the Cleveland Indians of the mid 1990's. They are already leading Major League Baseball in runs scored - a big time deal at the deadline could be just the thing to put them over the edge. Nolan Ryan has proven that he's a tough sonofabitch on the field, and I think it is safe to say, he's showing the same now from behind the big desk. As they say, everything is bigger in Texas.

Sox Need Pitching, Not Beltran

Here we are again folks, the July trading deadline and for once, it would appear that the Boston Red Sox do not "need" to do anything to improve their team.

Now, I say that partially in jest; no matter who you are, you always can improve your team. However, this particular Red Sox lineup is the best it has been in many years. As of Saturday morning, the Red Sox are first in Runs Scored, first in doubles, first in RBI's, first in team average, first in team OBP, first in slugging percentage, first in OPS and first in extra base hits. They are second in hits with 942, behind only the Texas Rangers whom have 945. They are also second in winning percentage, behind only the Philadelphia Phillies.

I think then it is safe to say that offense is not an issue at this point. Pitching, in my opinion, is the one thing that should be addressed by the trade deadline. Clay Buccholz may not be coming back this season. If he does, will he be the same dominant pitcher that he started the season as? Does Theo & Co. want to roll the dice on that issue? My guess is no. Assuming that this team will be in the playoffs (anyone care to argue that?) the rotation is key. Jon Lester, though not winning pretty, is winning. Josh Beckett looks like the Beckett of 2007. That leaves the question, who is your number 3 if Buccholz cannot return to form? John Lackey has (dare I say this) pitched well over his last 3-4 starts. Do you want to trust him? Tim Wakefield is not an option. Felix Doubront, if healthy, might have been an option. So where do the brass turn?

There is no Cliff Lee available this year. True, a few compelling names have been mentioned, like Ubaldo Jimenez, but a) at what cost? and b) WHY is he available? The Colorado Rockies have Jimenez in a team friendly contract and are in the midst of a playoff run. Why give up a young arm on a team that is perpetually competitive? These are a few obvious questions that come to mind. However, if you look at his production, this year he has not been anywhere near as good as 2010. Moving to a large market like Boston might result in another Eric Gagne type of pitcher. There are several quality pitchers available on the trade market, such as Jeff Francis in Kansas City, Francisco Liriano in Minnesota and even Carlos (once upon a time I was an ace) Zambrano in Chicago. None of these guys would get it done in Boston.

The name that I think would make the most impact on this Boston Red Sox roster is one that many columnists and sports radio hosts have consistently shot down, but I personally believe would have the biggest impact on this ball club: Matt Garza. Theo Epstein has a history of going after players that perform well against his team (see Keith Foulk, Julio Lugo, Carl Crawford as examples) and Matt Garza has been a nemesis to the Red Sox for years. He always plays big in big situations including 2 playoff wins in 2008 to kill the Sox hopes of repeating as World Series Champions. Sure, he is 4-7 this season, but keep in mind the fact that he is playing for the Chicago Cubs. Do I really need to say any more than that? Though his record is dismal, he is still posting a 3.80 ERA with 110 k's, opponents batting only .248 against him and a WHIP of 1.31.

In comparison to the Red Sox pitching staff (using pitchers that have started 15 or more games: Lester, Beckett and Lackey) - Garza would stack up as follows: 3rd on the team in ERA, tied for 1st in Strike Outs, 3rd in Batting Average Against and 3rd in WHIP. With a team as good as the Sox behind him, I can only imagine his ERA going down and WINS going up. The man can play. True he is only 27 and under contract with the Cubs until 2013, which is precisely why they would not want to trade him. Theo has been known to make some pretty impactful deals in his time as GM - so even though this idea is not being heavily promoted, I see this as one of the most likely things to happen. The question is, what would you be comfortable giving up in order to get a Matt Garza?