If the Rangers do attack free agency this year, here's my "dream" scenario.. Granted, some of these names aren't "flashy" by any means, but I'm trying to keep things somewhat realistic... perhaps.
**Re-sign Cliff Lee to a 4 year, $95 million contract extension.**
In my views, bringing Lee back is priority number one this off-season. He's easily one of the top pitchers in baseball, and without question a pitcher that in a short time revived the fortunes of Ranger baseball.
While the World Series was a bit of a letdown, the fact that they even made it that far was a major step forward and Lee was a big reason behind that.
This deal would give him Sabathia money, and make him one of the top paid pitchers in baseball, but it wouldn't handcuff them for the next decade like the A-Rod deal did. At 32, I think a four year deal is both economically feasable and logical for the Rangers.
**Sign Brandon Webb to a 3 year, $12 million contract with incentives**
I expect pitching to be addressed at some point this off-season. While Colby Lewis far and away lived up to his contract, and was one of the great bargains of the 2010 free agent market, and CJ Wilson finished in the top ten in the American League with wins, ERA and complete games; I still think the Rangers need at least one more arm.
Webb has missed the last two seasons with shoulder bursitis, and had surgery on the procedure last year. By 2011, he's expected to be at 100 percent and ready to go.
With the incentives, I feel this protects the Rangers just in case he's not at 100 percent. However, when he is, there's no question Webb is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and would fill out the Texas rotation very nicely. If at 100 percent, and pitching as he did in his hayday, he'd give Texas quite a 1-2 punch with Lee (in the scenario Lee re-signs) and he'd give Texas a rather nice starting rotation.
** Sign Jesse Crain to a 3-year, $10 million contract**
Now that Feliz has established himself as the closer of the immediate and forseeable future for Texas, they need to build the rest of the bullpen with it.
Crain is a nice bridge pitcher, good for a 7th or 8th inning spot and could be a nice bridge between the starter and Feliz. At 29, he's still moderately young too.
**Sign Scott Downs to a 3 year, $12 million dollar contract**
Downs is another "bridge pitcher", who seemingly would be a fit for the 8th inning woes. He's steady and solid, and gives the bullpen an added boost.
**Sign Melky Cabrera to a 2 year, $6 million dollar contract**
The Milk Man seemingly hit the wall in Atlanta this season, however I still view him as a quality OF with some upside.
I view him as a possible reclamation project at LF for the Rangers, and he could wind up proving to be a bit of a pleasant surprise.
