Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers fans, get ready to hate me. The same goes for all you fans of the Astros, Angels and Mets!

I’ve had this opinion for a few years now and have no intention of changing it.

This opinion is a controversial one, but I have my reasons for it. Therefore, I’ll get right to it.

We've all heard the same story since the World Series concluded.

Would Cliff Lee choose the money and sign with the Yankees, or would he stay in Texas, where he and his family felt comfortable? Nobody seemed certain about which way he was leaning, not even Lee himself.

After it was announced that there was a mystery team in the running for Lee, speculation ran rampant that it was Philadelphia, and sure enough it was.

The rumour mill has been working extra hard this past week and is expected to gain more steam as Cliff Lee has apparently said he will make his decision within the next 48 hours. 

In my opinion I hope that he chooses to stick with the Texas Rangers.

Why? 

If Cliff Lee signs with the Yankees the focus will largely be on him, as he will be crowned the saviour of this aging Yankee team. 

While the baseball world watches and waits for Cliff Lee to make his final decision on where to pitch next season, the competition for his services has never been hotter.

Lee's decision seems to be between the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers, whom Lee took to their first World Series in franchise history last season.

The Yankees' initial offer to Lee was for six years between $140-150 million, and was then increased to seven years and $161 million.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.—The new Cliff Lee rumors indicate that there are two teams that have made seven-year offers for the left-handed pitcher.

The New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels have all denied they are one of the teams.

The well-documented, off-season story regarding free agent pitcher Cliff Lee has gained so much intensity, multiple radio stations in Dallas are broadcasting hourly updates on the sweepstakes to sign the coveted previous Cy Young winner.

Just don't expect a one-hour special on ESPN announcing Lee's decision. It's not his style.

Neither are the bright lights of New York City.

Dominique Piek is Bleacher Report's WAG of the Week.

Today, you'll get to meet the supermodel girlfriend of Texas Rangers pitcher, C.J. Wilson.

And if you're superstitious, you should take note that she's also a bit of a lucky charm, since the Rangers reached the World Series for the first time in franchise history.

Too bad they lost.  But if you've got a girlfriend like her, you count your blessings. 

Without further ado, here's Miss Dominique Piek!

We knew the Cliff Lee sweepstakes were going to heat up as soon as the winter meetings got underway, mostly because Lee made it clear he wasn't going to listen to offers until the aforementioned meetings began.

Well, according to the New York Post, the Texas Rangers could be tipping their hand a little bit early.

Coming off a season in which the Rangers went to the World Series for the first time in franchise history, the team has made a couple of small moves that should improve, if only slightly, the 2011 squad.

Specifically, they signed catcher Yorvit Torrealba for two years for a total of $6.25 million, and they also signed right-hander Japanese reliever Yoshinori Tatekama to an undisclosed one-year deal with club options for 2012 and 2013.

Josh Hamilton won the 2010 American League Most Valuable Player award this week, and it would be difficult to argue against the selection.

Hamilton led the Texas Rangers to an incredibly rare playoff appearance and in the process continued one of the great comeback stories in sports.

He hit 32 home runs with 100 RBI and 95 runs scored in only 133 games and won the batting and OPS titles as he threatened to win the Triple Crown.