Let's take a look at the players given and received by the Rangers at the deadline and their contract situations, as well as some ramifications:
Added
Koji Uehara - 36 years old, Rangers owe about $1 million in 2011, will pay $2 million for '12, FA after that .
Mike Adams - (Friday turned) 33 years old, Rangers owe about $800,000 in 2011, will have one more arb eligible in '12, FA after that.
Traded
Tommy Hunter - 25 years old, figures to be under control for four more seasons including three arb years
Robbie Erlin - Drafted in 2009, does not have to be added to 40-man roster for two years
Joe Wieland - Drafted in 2008, does not have to be added to 40-man roster until after 2012
Chris Davis - Will be <2 years of service time after 2011 season, out of options
The Rangers added their 7th and 8th inning guys for the rest of 2011 and a legitimate hedge against health or effectiveness issues for Neftali Feliz . As we look at a progression of the pitching staff over the next few years, the two added relievers and three lots starters clear up the internal picture.
2012
C.J. Wilson will be a big money candidate in free agency and could very well be too expensive for the Rangers. If he leaves, the Rangers would receive a supplemental round pick and a pick from the signing team. Feliz would become a prime candidate to replace him, given his bullpen struggles and the dynamic shift in these deals. One possible scenario for the rotation and bullpen:
Colby Lewis
Matt Harrison
Derek Holland
Alexi Ogando
Neftali Feliz
Scott Feldman
Mike Adams
Koji Uehara
Mark Lowe
Darren O'Day
Yoshinori Tateyama
Michael Kirkman
Feldman would be the highest earner on that staff, at $6.5 million. The likely rotation would cost in the $7-8 million range, which is pretty remarkable. With Darren Oliver's and Arthur Rhodes' contracts up, the Rangers will need a new left-handed presence in their pen. Kirkman could become a key alternative, and the club will probably look outside the organization.
2013
Lewis' last club option is in 2012, so he could leave before 2013. The Rangers will buy out Feldman's 2013 option at a cost of $600,000. The club will have a bullpen overhaul on their hands, but they'll also have maturing pitching prospects ready. With Josh Hamilton, Mike Napoli, Yorvit Torrealba potentially free after '12 (and Michael Young, Ian Kinsler, Nelson Cruz and David Murphy up after '13) and no clear replacements in place, a cheap, effective pitching staff would be a huge plus.
Matt Harrison
Derek Holland
Alexi Ogando
Neftali Feliz
Darren O'Day
Michael Kirkman
Yoshinori Tateyama
Additional key candidates:
Martin Perez
Tanner Scheppers
Neil Ramirez