Is it really the ARod contract that's the liability? Having ARod didn't prevent the Rangers from spending roughly an additional $100 million on payroll last year only to dwell in the bottom of the league all season. And let's say the Rangers paid $17 million per year to get ARod, would that $5 million extra they'd have to spend make that much difference? Would it transform the Rangers into a competitive team? The problem with the Rangers is that they've spent a whole lot of time giving away their prospects in exchange for veterans, many of whom they far overpay. You can argue that ARod is overpaid, but he comes far closer to earning his money than Juando or Chan Ho Park or Rusty. The Rangers need pitching, but they've never been able to convince free agent pitchers to come to Arlington regardless of the money they throw at them (unless the money is just outrageous for a player who can't play - see Chan Ho Park). They need to home grow pitchers, but they've been unable to do that (and they have traded away some pretty good pitching prospects over the years). The point is, the Rangers aren't hampered by ARod's contract. They're hampered by their past actions regarding trades and developing minor leaguers, some bad luck, and by contracts such as Juando's and Chan Ho's, etc.
has any player in MLB history ever turned a team around? this reminds me of the garnett situation but garnett actually wins (playoffs aside) its almost like A-Rod is too good to "compete" in the league. the mans just stuck....richer than all hell....but his talents are wasted on that pit hole of a team. it says something that the yanks would give up jeter in addition to other players for him. maybe thats just cap talk though
That extra $5 million wouldn't have to be spent on players, how about scouts? You could sign 10 scouts at $500,000. Place them in Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Japan or even scout other teams. Learn how to pitch to their batters, or what their pitchers do in certain counts/situations. The good teams have the best scouts and are well prepared when they face another team. ARod should have known that by the Rangers spending that much money on one player, they would be hurting in other places. Its common sense. What Hicks should have done with that money is build a domed/retractable roof stadium with air conditioning. No player in their right mind wants to play in that heat in July and August. Look at the Rangers history in those months and you will see they have a poor record. The heat saps all the energy out of the players.
If he wants a roof, I'll bet he could get the city of Arlington to pay for it. I am also under the impression that the Rangers do have a scouting department. I don't think the Rangers have scrimped on their scouting department. I do know that they've been overhauling their scouting department under Grady Fuson and added six more scouts in December.
