Ranger Trade Talk

I will cover most of the major sports, but in my mind the big thing in the sports world is the TRADING DEADLINE. The deadline is Tuesday July 31 I think around 3:00 p.m. CST. Espn.com has a countdown if you are dying to know down to the minute. Either way it is fast approaching and I am estastic! Rangers on the block are Tex, Aki, Gagne, Lofton, Sosa, Benoit, and maybe Wilkerson. Despite what some of you fellow sports geeks have heard: no, C.J. Wilson is not up for discussion. The Rangers would not get rid of a lefty that can throw 93-94mph and could be the Rangers closer in the future.
Who is most likely to be traded?
Tex, Tex, and Tex. The switch hitting power hitter is the most coveted player on the market leading up to the deadline and several teams are interested. The Braves and the Angels are leading the way with the Red Sox and the Yanks trailing behind. Many people say the Dodgers are in the hunt but with Loney (.362AVG, 4HR, 23RBI, 119ABs) playing the way he is at first, there is little or no chance they would want Tex.
What are we looking at getting in return?
The Braves would most likely put my Salty (.284AVG, 4HR, 12RBI, 141ABs), a switch hitting catcher that is attempting to play first base up on the block and a couple of prospects. Yes, I know I called him MY Salty because I have already fallen for this guy. Strictly in a manly sports way he is the MAN! The 22 year-old stud from Atlanta has lost some playing time with the addition of grandpa Julio Franco. No, is name is not Salty but it is really long and I am not going to spell it out for you. He is the Braves top prospect and we could get a young SS (for what reasons I don't know) and a solid pitching prospect. Hopefully fingers crossed, Jo-Jo Reyes.
What would we have to give up other than Tex?
Originally the Rangers were going to give Tex and only Tex in a deal with him, but lately talks are going on about adding Benoit or Ron Mahay, or yes even Gagne. Now if we give up Gagne and Tex to the same team they better give up their first born. Personally I want to keep Gagne and sign him to an extension and ship out Aki, set-up man.
Why have I spent time only on the Braves possible deals?
To me they are the only real players, but their owner is nortorious for not doing enough and that could hamper the deal. I mention the Angels and yes they are still serious contenders around the nation, but to me I don't see the Rangers shipping Tex in the same division and their first basemen, Casey Kotchman, is not as attractive prospect as Salty. The one thing the Angels have going for them is their owner is cut from the Mark Cuban mold and so he is willing to do what it takes to get somebody there if he wants them. That may bode well for the Rangers since GM John Daniels needs desperately to make this trade look right in the fans' eyes.
Tomorrow: Discuss other Rangers and possible deals and look back at Daniels debacle trade with the White Sox last off-season.