Rangers' Nolan Ryan Targets CC Sabathia, Sheets

Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan -- now playing the part of the floundering president of the woeful Texas Rangers -- is expected to tap team owner Tom Hicks' bank account for $100 million or so to acquire some real pitching next year -- with Brewers free agents CC Sabathia or Ben Sheets among his goals.

That's what gumshoe Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe has learned while awaiting for the Red Sox to face the Rangers this week, while unrelated reports have described the all-time strikeout king as being insufferably frustrated with his team's league worst 5.27 ERA.

If Sabathia and Sheets cannot be had, Ryan likely will trade with the Blue Jays for A.J. Burnett.

"It's a shame the Rangers have given away Justin Duchscherer, Chris Young, Armando Galarraga, and John Danks in various trades or they'd have a pretty good staff," Cafardo said.

It's also a shame that the Rangers play in perhaps the worst hitters' park in the league, with few marque pitchers likely to seriously consider playing there.