The big looming question the past few weeks is whether the Rangers are going to be buyers or sellers. I have stated that when a team is riding the fence on being a legitimate contender, often times that decision is not made until the final week before the trade deadline. With so many young developing players on this team, Texas should continue to add to their foundation. A few players have got interest from several teams: Eddie Guardado, Jamey Wright, Hank Blalock, Gerald Laird, and Vicente Padilla. Guardado and Wright are labeled as not for sale. Laird has got interest from the Yankees, but do not know the status on that after they acquired Xavier Nady and reliever Damasco Marte from the Pirates for 4 prospects. A couple National League teams are scouting Hank Blalock. Texas should look to get a strong return if dealing any of these players and should feel very comfortable staying put if there is nothing substantial on the table. Texas is not in a desperate situation of trying to cut loose bad contracts or rebuilding from the ground up (Mariners), so they really hold the cards in a trade. I know I am going to get some flack for this, but the Rangers should really be looking to trade Milton Bradley, he is the player we can get the most return.

Great to see Padilla recover last night against the A’s. It was disappointing to see the A’s get 5 runs when they were not hitting ball hard but getting slap hits through the infield. Texas responded with a 5 run fourth and Padilla settled down and did not allow another run.

A few weeks ago, I said Chris Davis needed to start getting hits besides home runs. Well he has and is not going anywhere. He was a triple short of the cycle last night and has entrenched himself at 1st base.

Today’s Ranger game is blacked out due to FOX Saturday baseball. Game was originally scheduled as the afternoon game, but FOX decided to pick up Yankees vs. Boston instead. Hope Rangers can solidify themselves in second place in the West this weekend.