What Should Texas Rangers Do at Trade Deadline?: Nothing

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, there is much talk about what everyone should do. 

Not only are the teams in contention considering who they should go after, but the teams that are out of it are wondering who they should give up.

Roy Halladay seems to be the topic of everyone's discussion.  If I didn't know any better I would think he was the only player in the Majors that was on the trading block.

The interesting thing that no one seems to remember is that Halladay has a no-trade clause, so it all could be for nothing.

The Rangers are amongst the teams that have shown serious interest in Halladay, which is understandable due to his excellent abilities. 

I'll admit that I would love to see him in Arlington, but I don't see it happening. Why would he move to Texas in July?

I live in Texas, and I am happy here, but if I could pick between a team here in the heat that is in contention—but will have to fight to make it—and a team like the Dodgers or Phillies who are running away with their divisions—in a city that is not nearly as hot—it seems like a no brainer.

There is a reason no big-name free agent pitchers choose to come here as much as we all wish they would.  I just don't see it getting past the no-trade clause.

Assuming Halladay approved a trade to Texas, the Blue Jays are supposedly demanding Justin Smoak, and two young pitchers.  That could include Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, etc. 

Now call me crazy, but that just isn't worth it.

You get a pitcher for a year and a half that will almost certainly leave when he gets the chance, and what did you give up? 

Arguably the best hitter in the minor leagues, and two of the best young pitchers we have. 

It is true that Halladay may make enough difference to get us to the playoffs and maybe even win a series or two, but I just don't think so.  Our pitching has been pretty solid to this point, and I don't see that move getting us over the hump.

Another article I read mentioned how a quality bat would be a better acquisition than Halladay, or any other pitcher for that matter.  The more I think about it, I have to agree for a couple of reasons.

Our offense has been struggling lately, and has been the cause of every bad stretch we have had this year. 

This isn't to say that our pitching has been great for every game, but they have consistently kept us in games with a chance to win.

The same cannot be said about our offense.

The other, and I think more important, reason is that it wouldn't cost nearly as much.  Maybe one or two prospects, and most likely not our best ones.

Which brings me to what I think the Rangers should do: nothing.

Now if a deal comes up that you just can't pass up, well then you can't pass it up, but I don't really see that happening.  Teams are a lot more careful than they used to be.

We have a quality big league club that is right in contention, along with a minor league system that is right at the top.  Why throw so much of it away for a maybe.

There are no guarantees in the future either, but I have thought all along that we needed at least one more year to really contend.  That feeling gets stronger with every game.

Think about it: How did the Rangers get this good?  They traded away players they knew were leaving anyway and got all of these great prospects that are either now with the Major League team or excelling in the minors. 

So why not keep doing what we have been doing and get even better next year?

So, if you are listening Nolan, Tom, and JD, I am a die-hard Rangers' fan, and I always will be, but please listen just this once. 

You have done a great job setting us up for success and we are on the verge of reaching many goals, but don't sacrifice the system that is working to try and jump the gun this year.

There is one thing that you can do to show you have faith in our current team, and do something very courageous that very few organizations are willing to do when they are succeeding: Do nothing!