ESPN reports that the Rangers have re-signed starter Vicente Padilla to a three-year, $34 million contract. That's a really hefty chunk of change. Not only does this prevent the Bucs from signing Padilla, it probably also increases the value of other starters the Pirates may be looking at, like Jeff Suppan.
Money aside, Padilla is a pretty nice pitcher to have around. He's still pretty young and his peripherals have usually been good (though they weren't in 2005, when he struggled through his last season with the Philles). The Rangers are really in a tough position - eight of their players were free agents this offseason, and it's hitting them hard. Unlike the Pirates, they don't really have the luxury of sitting out of this market.