http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/2004156612_webwilkerson31.html?syndication=rss

Looks like we'll still have to deal with him - but maybe in a limited capacity.

I like how the team describes him as a "hard-nosed competitor" and a "solid left-handed bat" How well did Whiffy hit against the M's last year for them to think he'll add to the team?

If the Bedard deal doesn't go through, he could wind up as in a 4th outfeilder/bench role. Update [2008-1-31 21:22:54 by mtex]: - One year deal for $3 million

San Francisco Chronicle reports 5-year deal. No figures yet.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/12/12/SP4ETSURO.DTL

What an old team, now. And, a little 'screw you' to the Blue Jays, who thought they might get Linecum for Alex Rios.

One-line diaries are prohibited on Lone Star Ball. Give your diary a bit more thought, then give it another shot. If you have nothing to add to your proposed diary, then it probably belongs as a comment under another appropriate thread.

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Didn't know we had interest. It apparently hinged on being able to get an extension worked out, but the team wasn't allowed to speak with Cabrera's agent. Glad to see we were involved with other things, though.

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071206&content_id=2320747&vkey=news_fl a&fext=.jsp&c_id=fla

Suggestions:

Which do you care more about this Christmas season:
 - Obtaining a CF via trade/free agency
 - Trading Gerald Laird (no matter what the return)
 - Making sure that Brad Wilkerson is not re-signed
 - The television writer's strike
 - The Broadway labor union strike
 - Vicente Padilla's strike zone
 - Skip Christmas - bring on American Idol!

What's the worst acquisition by any team so far this Hot Stove?
 - Torii Hunter to the Angels (5 years/90 million)
 - ARod to Yankees (10 years/$275 million)
 - Scott Linebrink to White Sox (4 years/19 million)
 - Jason Kendall to the Brewers (1 year/3 million?)
 - Doug Brocail to the Astros (1 year/2.5 million)
 - Kerry Wood to Cubs (1 year/4.2 million)

My wife and I share the hobby of baseball (thankfully). And, while I enjoy the stats, percentages, over/unders, and trivia of America's greatest pastime, my wife gets more attached to the actual player; she wants to know if they're a nice person or not. While most of the time I could care less if they're personable or not, there are always those players that seemingly irk you the wrong way.

So, by putting this interesting thought into my head, I propose putting together an All-Jerk team of Active players. Who are the biggest jerks at their particular position? Who makes the cut?

To get us started:

C: A. Pierzynski
1B: K. Youkilis
2B:
3B: D. Wright
SS:
OF: B. Bonds
OF: G. Anderson
OF:
OF:
DH: G. Sheffield
SP: D. Wells
RP: K-Rod
Manager: O. Guillen

Let me know what you think. Please try and refrain from saying you hate a whole team...

per TR

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070324&content_id=1857731&vkey=spt2007ne ws&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

Loe will either be in AAA or in the bullpen. Chen finishes in 3rd place and is probably trade bait before April 1st. He's preformed well enough that we may get something back for him, but I think his non-guaranteed contract will convince teams to wait on him.

Ugh.

Over at http://www.MLBTradeRumors.com they're looking for a blogger to represent the Rangers. It probably pays little if anything at all...just someone to give up-to-the-minute updates on the team.

If you've ever read the site, the Rangers' opinions are never very highly regarded ("Sign more pitchers." "Why are the Rangers thinking of dealing relief pitcher?" "Why didn't they re-sign Carlos Lee?"). Someone from here probably could expand the public opinion.

Evan Grant is reporting that the Rangers have offered Michael Young a contract extension. No words on the numbers of it, yet.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/022107dnsporangdate.13a930a .html

Hopefully, this all gets resolved before the end of the week, right about the time that Sosa gets there, so we have something else to talk about.

Weirdest trade so far.

MLB.com is reporting that the Nationals have traded Jose Vidro to the Mariners for Chris Snelling and Emiliano Fruto. The Mariners have also agreed to pay $12 million of the remaining $16 million on his contract.

Good pick up for the Nationals. I'll miss Tom Grieve and Josh Lewin having fun saying, "Emiliano Fruto!" Update [2006-12-14 0:37:16 by mtex]: The M's also gave Vidro an option for 2009, so he'd waive his no-trade clause with the Nationals.

Good story up by T.R.

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061211&content_id=1759358&vke y=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

Thought it was also interesting to note that the Rangers have made their offer on Barry Zito.

No mention of Fast Freddy playing centerfield next season.