Nady and Marte have been traded.....

[Bullshiznitz]

Tex would be a nice option for this year (although not really a defensive upgrade as Pena has GG caliber defense also), but there is no way the Rays would sign Tex longterm.  Doesnt jive with their long term plans.  One we already have Pena inked for a few years, two, Tex's agent is boras who will likely demand atleast a 5yr/$100 million+ contract.  Tex is good....he aint that good.  Not to mention since acquiring him, the Braves have actually been worse, and he already has the stigma in Atlanta of being someone who hits awesome when theres no pressure, but fails miserably when they need him.  And to top it all off.....the Rays shouldnt sign him for the simple fact that he screwed them back in '02 (i think the year is right), by telling the Rays not to draft him cause he would never sign with them....we ended up with the tragedy that was Dewon Brazelton. 

Id much rather have Holliday (especially since he's under control for another year), and can play RF...a position we need help in. 

[Matt]

exactly....the trade deadline is where you go out and FILL A NEED...not where you run around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to land the "best" player who might be available.

its not like the 1st year player draft where you can afford to take the best player available regardless of current need because who knows what the need will be when that guy is ready.

fact is...Tex does NOT help the team as much as getting a solid RF would.  and that RF would come cheaper.

[Bull Dozer]

Tex would be a nice option for this year (although not really a defensive upgrade as Pena has GG caliber defense also), but there is no way the Rays would sign Tex longterm.  Doesnt jive with their long term plans.  One we already have Pena inked for a few years, two, Tex's agent is boras who will likely demand atleast a 5yr/$100 million+ contract.  Tex is good....he aint that good.   Not to mention since acquiring him, the Braves have actually been worse, and he already has the stigma in Atlanta of being someone who hits awesome when theres no pressure, but fails miserably when they need him.  And to top it all off.....the Rays shouldnt sign him for the simple fact that he screwed them back in '02 (i think the year is right), by telling the Rays not to draft him cause he would never sign with them....we ended up with the tragedy that was Dewon Brazelton. 

Id much rather have Holliday (especially since he's under control for another year), and can play RF...a position we need help in. 

Everything you said is not backed up by Tex's stats.  He hits over .300 with RISP for his career and has a better Fielding % than Pena for his career. 

[Bull Dozer]

exactly....the trade deadline is where you go out and FILL A NEED...not where you run around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to land the "best" player who might be available.

its not like the 1st year player draft where you can afford to take the best player available regardless of current need because who knows what the need will be when that guy is ready.

fact is...Tex does NOT help the team as much as getting a solid RF would.  and that RF would come cheaper.

If they Ray's want a quality bat they are gunna have to pay with some good prospects period.  Nady was the only player they could get on the cheap because everyone knows this season is an anomaly.  As for Right field being a big need none of the right fielders they platoon (except when they tried Gomes out there) are bad defenders so it makes the move purely an offensive upgrade.  If they acquire Tex they can DH or him or move Pena to DH so he an focus on nothing but getting better AB's.  Holliday would cost just as much as Tex and now that the pirates have traded Nady so would Bay.  Other than those two there aren't many other difference maker bats out there on the block that i've heard.  Basically if you want top quality help your gunna have to ship out some quality pitching prospects (not price obviously) unless you want another guy on the same level as the players that are being Platooned their already.     

Edit:If your looking for cheap bonds would be the answer but can he come in and hit at his age after so much of a layoff?  Its a big question but a cheap one to try to answer.  But he would be a liability in the OF and prolly have to DH.