Ponson to Texas maybe

[RockSports17]

Talks supposedly heated up as of Wednesday and the trade hinges on how much money Baltimore is going to be paying. Wonder who Texas would give up. Texas really does need some SP, and Ponson could help fill that need.

Link

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles continue to talk with the Texas Rangers about right-hander Sidney Ponson and discussions intensified Wednesday, with the two teams attempting to negotiate the amount of Ponson's contract the Orioles would pick up, according to a Rangers source.

Ponson, who is scheduled to pitch Thursday against Texas, is making $7.5 million this season and $10 million in 2006 as part of a three-year, $22.5 million contract. The Orioles, according to club sources, are willing to pay a portion of Ponson's remaining money to move him, but the question is how much.

The Rangers have expressed interest in Ponson, but not at his current price. The burly right-hander is 7-9 with a 5.91 ERA and has lost his past five decisions, but the Rangers believe they are a couple of quality starters away from competing next year and Ponson, although he has yet to reach it, has a tremendous upside.

[voodoomon1jd]

Competing next year?

THe Rangers are very much in the hunt for the wild card, with that lineup they can score on anybody!

[Fishercat]

The Orioles could really afford to get rid of Ponson for financial flexibility and simply to get a bad pitcher off a club that cannot afford bad starts.

[Fishercat]

Well, they didn't do anything. With this free-fall it might be a good thing, but another year, another fall it seems.

[Saber]

The Rangers just got rid of Chan Ho Park. What would getting Sidney Ponson accomplish, besides increasing the average weight of the pitching staff 10 pounds?