A bullet dodged

The Big Unit

The great MLB Trade Rumors had a post about the many struggles of free agent signees.

I got into a nice discussion before the season with a guy who swore up and down the Rangers should've gone after every free agent. He was especially adamant about Brad Penny, for some reason. I guess arms are arms and bats are bats and all are better than the arms and bats the Rangers had already purchased. A fair assessment, I think.

I honestly had no problem with signing Brad Penny. The Rangers didn't and now I get to enjoy the signs of Derek Holland stretching or Neftali Feliz going into Oklahoma City. Give me each of those guys for 10 Pennys.

The guys that go away, thankfully:

Milton Bradley
.097 - .317 OBP - .194 Slugging
I must say this: I loved Bradley, but there was no way I would pay him $10 million in a long-term deal. With that said, I don't think Bradley would be having as bad a year if he were in Texas. The Chicago media is tearing him up and injuries and ineffectiveness aren't helping. I'm glad the Rangers passed.

C.C. Sabathia
4.73 ERA - 1.39 WHIP - 14 BBs - 19 Ks

A.J. Burnett
5.47 ERA - 1.34 WHIP - 12 BBs - 20 Ks
I don't think the Yankees' new toys will this bad the entire season. It is fun seeing them struggle mightily in their new digs. I don't think the Rangers were huge contenders, but I bet they kicked the tires, at least.

Kerry Wood
6.75 ERA - 1.75 WHIP - .303 BAA

Brian Fuentes
5.63 ERA - 1.63 WHIP - .303 BAA - 1 Blown Save

Trevor Hoffman
2 games played
The Rangers, it seems, were in on Fuentes and Wood more than Hoffman. Either way, it was a closer-rich free agency and the Rangers didn't bite. They hung their hat on Frank Francisco and, so far, he's been nails. Wood, Fuentes and Hoffman have not been good. And they certainly haven't been as good as Francisco.

Randy Johnson
6.16 ERA - 1.53 WHIP
There was one rumor that had the Rangers going after the Big Unit. I didn't mind it, and I still wouldn't mind haven't Johnson. He's struggled, but I think he'll wind up with 12-14 wins and a 4.50 ERA.

Brad Penny
8.66 ERA - 1.98 WHIP - .320 BAA - 11 BBs - 6 Ks
Decent in two starts, but never good or anything. He's striking no one out and is clearly a shell of his former self. Super glad the Rangers went with Kris Benson instead.