Lone Star Ball

Rangers offer arbitration to Bradley

2008-12-02T03:23:08Z

The Rangers have offered arbitration to Milton Bradley.

Not unexpected, I don't think.

Word out of Canada is that the Jays want Bradley, but that he's leaning towards a deal with the D-Rays.

Who would have thought... Few offered Arbitration

2008-12-02T02:19:00Z

It looks like the impending economic hardship has got all the owners spooked.

Ivan Rodriguez (37) - Type B, not offered arb

Gregg Zaun (38) - Type B, not offered arb

Jeff Kent (41) - Type B, not offered arb

Edgar Renteria (33) - Type A, not offered arb

Bobby Abreu (35) - Type A, not offered arb

Braden Looper (34) - Type B, not offered arb

Greg Maddux (43) - Type B, not offered arb

Brad Penny (31) - Type B, not offered arb

Andy Pettitte (37) - Type A, not offered arb

Eric Gagne (33) - Type B, not offered arb

Trevor Hoffman (41) - Type A, not offered arb

Jason Isringhausen (36) - Type B, not offered arb

Kerry Wood (32) - Type A, not offered arb

Joe Beimel (32) - Type B, not offered arb

Bob Howry (35) - Type A, not offered arb

Russ Springer (40) - Type A, not offered arb

Moises Alou (42) - Type B, not offered arb

Garret Anderson (37) - Type B, not offered arb

Adam Dunn (29) - Type A, not offered arb

Frank Thomas (41) - Type B, not offered arb

Randy Johnson (45) - Type B, not offered ar

bJohn Smoltz (42) - Type B, not offered arb

Luis Ayala (31) - Type B, not offered arb

Joe Beimel (32) - Type B, not offered arb

Alan Embree (39) - Type B, not offered arb

Bob Howry (35) - Type A, not offered arb

Russ Springer (40) - Type A, not offered arb

Pat Burrell (32) - Type A, not offered arb

Jamie Moyer (46) - Type A, not offered arb

Paul Lo Duca (37) - Type B, not offered arb

Luis Gonzalez (41) - Type B, not offered arb

Arthur Rhodes (39) - Type B, not offered arb

Rudy Seanez (40) - Type B, not offered arb

News on some N.L. pitchers

2008-12-01T23:11:55Z

You know that "maybe the Brewers won't offer Ben Sheets arbitration" talk of late?

Well, nevermind. Milwaukee has offered both Sheets and C.C. Sabathia arbitration, guaranteeing them two draft picks apiece if the pitchers walk.

Meanwhlie, Mike Hampton's enormous contract has finally run out, and he's signed a one year, $2 million deal with the Astros.

Happy birthday, Larry Walker

2008-12-01T20:45:06Z

Happy birthday to Larry Walker, who turns 42 today.

Walker, you may remember, came thisclose to being a former Ranger. In 2004, John Hart traded one of my favorite prospects, diminutive RHP Erik Thompson, along with a minor league shortstop who was a late round draft choice in 2003 to the Rockies for Walker.

However, Walker had a no-trade clause, and ended up vetoing the trade. He ended up being dealt a couple of weeks later to the Cards for three scrubs.

Evan Grant needs questions

2008-12-01T18:03:24Z

Evan Grant needs questions for his Rangers newsletter. I want to see good questions answered by Evan in his Rangers newsletter.

So, please send in your questions by clicking here.

Monday morning stuff

2008-12-01T15:35:41Z

T.R. Sullivan has a new mailbag column up. The most relevant parts:

Injuries have limited Bonderman to a combined 40 starts over the past two seasons, and he went 14-13 with a 4.80 ERA. He signed for $12.5 million for both 2009 and 2010. Given the Rangers' financial situation, it's unlikely that they would pursue him.

For the past couple of years, we've heard about how the Ranger payroll was "player specific" and how they had the financial flexibility to get aggressive with certain free agents. In particular, they went hard after Dice-K and Barry Zito.

But now, their "financial situation" is such that they apparently are stuck with the payroll they've had the past couple of years. That is worrisome.

And then there is this:

The Red Sox have made it clear that they are not interested in trading Buchholz under any circumstances.

So...those who believe that the Rangers shouldn't trade a catcher to the BoSox without getting Buchholz can, apparently, scratch the BoSox off the list.

Evan Grant, meanwhile, says that the economy being the way it is, the Rangers may not offer Milton Bradley arbitration, because if he accepts and they cannot trade Hank Blalock or Gerald Laird, that might push them into an area where they feel "uncomfortable."

Blake Beavan Interview

2008-12-01T14:46:53Z

Link

Q: Are you cocky, confident, or a combination of the two?

Beavan: Every professional athlete is cocky in his or her own way. That's what makes you good. Whether it's cocky as far as showing people in body language, or the quiet cocky, I think everybody is some sort of cocky. I'd say I'm more confident than anything. Back in high school I'd tell you that I was definitely cocky, but now I've been through a year and a half of professional baseball, with instructs and stuff, and it brings you back down to earth and humbles you and makes you realize that you aren't the only good athlete out there -- that you are going to have to work just as hard, if not double the effort of the other guys, if you want to be on that stage.

Question: Assume that Beavan's velo is already back in the 92-95 range. Does that have influence on where you would rank him on a prospect list? How much higher would you rank him because of the increased velo?

Rangers expected to offer arbitration to Bradley

2008-11-30T19:10:20Z

T.R. Sullivan reports that the Rangers are expected to offer arbitration to Milton Bradley.

Not really a surprise, I don't think...he's not likely to accept, and even if he did, it means he comes back to the Rangers on what should be a fairly reasonable one year deal. We are past the days of John Hart, who was terrified at the slim possibility of a guy he wanted gone (i.e., Pudge Rodriguez) accepting arbitration, and thus was willing to give up the possibility of getting draft pick compensation.

Of course, at that time, Hart didn't run the draft anyway, so getting more draft picks probably wasn't much of a priority.

The deadline is 11 p.m. tomorrow. If Bradley is offered arbitration and signs elsewhere, the Rangers will get a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds in 2009.

Sunday morning stuff

2008-11-30T16:45:08Z

Ken Davidoff says the Mets asked about Gerald Laird earlier this offseason, although that is on the back burner while they attempt to deal with some pitching issues.

Mike Hindman runs down the top 5 Rangers outfield prospects.

And that's it this morning, it appears.

Evan Grant clarifies the PTBNL/PsTBNL

2008-11-29T20:01:59Z

From Evan Grant today:

Here's the bottom line: If Littleton makes the Red Sox opening day roster, the Rangers could potentially get a second player. Littleton is out of options, so if he doesn't make the Red Sox roster, the Rangers would probably just get a little bit of cash.

Of course, it is a lot easier to slide a player without options through waivers at the end of spring training (see, e.g., Robinson Tejeda and Nelson Cruz) than now. So even if Littleton doesn't make the BoSox roster on Opening Day, he could still stay in the organization.

The Rangers are Excited about 2009 The Rangers have produced this 9 minute video as a message to...

2008-11-29T19:46:14Z

The Rangers are Excited about 2009

The Rangers have produced this 9 minute video as a message to its season ticket holders. It is narrated by Nolan Ryan and the great Chuck Morgan.

Watch the video to see:

* Nolan Ryan's perspective on this past season and the team's top priority – improving the pitching staff

* A look back at the most exciting moments of the 2008 season, including many dramatic walk-off wins by the Rangers

* Performances by the best nucleus of everyday players in baseball – Josh Hamilton, Milton Bradley, Michael Young, and Ian Kinsler

* Highlights of our exciting young players, including Chris Davis and David Murphy, who proved themselves beyond expectations

* Previews of our talented young position players and promising pitchers in the Rangers' minor league system, currently ranked one of the strongest in all of Major League Baseball

* An interesting perspective on the positive future of the Rangers from Hall of Famer and noted TV baseball analyst Joe Morgan

Click here for the video

Saturday a.m. things

2008-11-29T16:24:53Z

I don't see anything out there this morning.

We need more Rangers news. Someone call Jon Daniels and tell him to trade a catcher.

A question about Twilight

2008-11-29T02:48:53Z

I realize that this will make me seem old and out of touch, but there's something I'm not sure about...

Who is the target audience for "Twilight"?

The Hannah Montana tween crowd?

The high school crowd?

College age people?

All of the above?

I'm confused...someone explain for me...

Wes Littleton traded to Boston

2008-11-28T23:21:29Z

Wes Littleton has been traded to Boston for cash considerations or a PTBNL.

Jon Daniels is saying the PTBNL may not be named until sometime in the spring. My guess is there is a list of guys the Rangers will get to choose from, and they'll spend the winter and some of the spring scouting them.

UPDATE -- Some reports say a PTBNL. Some reports say two PTBNLs. I shall seek clarification.

Friday afternoon video

2008-11-28T20:30:05Z

One of the weirdest moments in TV history:

Jerry Lawler slaps Andy Kaufman on David Letterman Show (via frokenstein)

Friday poll

2008-11-28T16:30:05Z

I got into a discussion about what sort of "sweetener" the Rangers would have to include with Saltalmacchia to get the BoSox to part with Clay Buchholz, and I suggested it would have to be someone like Michael Main...

Which made me think...what do you guys think?

Salty and Main for Buchholz...who says yes, who says no? (And to clarify, I'm asking what you think the respective teams would do, not what they should do).

Cast your vote...

Poll

Salty and Main for Buchholz...would the teams make this trade?

Friday a.m. things

2008-11-28T15:32:04Z

If there is any Ranger news out there this morning, I didn't find it.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Thanksgiving Day stuff

2008-11-27T16:27:47Z

Jeff Wilson reports that Dom Chiti, Rick Adair, and Wayne Kirby have all been mentioned as possible candidates to join Don Wakamatsu's coaching staff in Seattle. Adair has denied being contacted, and Jon Daniels says Seattle hasn't asked permission to talk to Adair or Kirby, the minor league pitching coordinator and minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator, respectively.

T.R. Sullivan writes about Michael Young winning the Marvin Miller Award for 2008.

The Rangers and Donald Veal

2008-11-26T23:40:44Z

So, the Rangers can't select a player in the Rule 5 draft, because their roster is full at 40 right now.

However, they can work out a deal where a team selects a player in the Rule 5 draft and then trades that player to the Rangers. That's how the Rangers ended up with Fabio Castro...the Royals selected him in the Rule 5 draft, then traded him to the Rangers for Esteban German.

So it is possible that the Rangers could end up as players in the Rule 5 draft in a couple of weeks, despite having a full roster.

And the guy who seems like someone the Rangers might be targeting is Cubs LHP Donald Veal. Last spring, when the Rangers were talking to the Cubs about a Marlon Byrd trade, Evan Grant said the Rangers wanted Veal, Jose Ceda (since dealt to the Marlins for Kevin Gregg) or Sean Marshall for Byrd. So the Rangers have, one would assume, scouted him pretty hard and are probably still interested in him

Veal throws hard, supposedly has a couple of good secondary pitches, but has lousy command. He struggled this year and hasn't done that well in the AFL. But the Rangers have made it clear that lefty relief help is a priority, and Veal was impressive against lefties in the minors last year, not allowing a homer to a lefty batter and striking out almost 9 per 9 IP (although walking almost 7 per 9).

The thing that mitigates against taking a Rule 5 guy is that the Rangers already have Dustin Nippert and Scott Feldman who are out of options, and taking someone like Veal would reduce the team's flexibility. But I have to think that they are taking a close look at Veal, and a few other power lefties like Pedro Figueroa of the A's organization, to see if their second lefty out of the pen might not be someone they could pluck from another team.

Turkey Day Eve stuff

2008-11-26T16:17:06Z

T.R. Sullivan says the Rangers are out of the running for Tazawa, and it appears he'll be going to Boston. Sullivan also says:

The Red Sox have made it clear that they aren't interested in trading Clay Buchholz under any circumstances

So, take that for what it is worth.

The Boston Herald says that it will be a week or two before action on the Red Sox catching front gets serious, with the team and Jason Varitek apparently still having discussions. The Herald says that, along with the Ranger catchers, the Angels have expressed a willingness to part with Mike Napoli or Jeff Mathis, and there's a rundown of other catchers that are supposedly available to Boston in the article.