Time to open up the wallet

Yesterday the Rangers, who avoid arbitration like I avoid exercise, signed one year deals with C.J. Wilson and Nelson Cruz.

C.J. will make $7 mill, up from $3.1 mill in 2010. He was 15-8 with 170 Ks and a 3.35 ERA in 204 innings pitched last year. That was good enough for 10th in the A.L. in wins and ERA. A repeat performance would be nice in 2011.

Nelson will make $3.65 million, up from a paltry $440,000 in 2010. Last year, Nelson played in 108 games (hamstring issues) and hit 22 homers and drove in 78. He came up big in the playoffs too, hitting .317 with 6 homers and 11 RBIs in 16 games.

Now it's time to open that big fat new wallet and pay the big dog.

Josh Hamilton's people are asking for $12 million and the Rangers are offering $8.7 million for one year with the very real possibility of working out a multi-year deal during Spring Training. I'm sure the Rangers are worried about the injury bug, but last year Josh hit .359 with 32 homers and 100 RBIs to go along with a slew of great plays in the outfield. He didn't do great in the playoffs, but he did win the A.L. MVP award. I'm one of those who bashes the ginormous salaries athletes get paid, but in this market, $10-12 million for Josh's numbers is a steal.

Would you rather have Josh Hamilton at $12 million or some of these guys at their 2010 salaries?

Vernon Wells: $16.1 million

Alfonso Soriano: $19 million

Carlos Lee: $19 million

Carlos Beltran: $19.4 million

I'll take Mr. Hamilton please!