Richard Durrett says that the rotation is set for this week...Robinson Tejeda will be starting against Tampa on Thursday, meaning that Edinson Volquez -- who is dealing with a blister problem -- will slide back a day and start against Oakland on Friday. Durrett says that if Volquez can't go, John Rheinecker will likely take his spot.
T.R. Sullivan has a new mailbag column up.
Gerry Fraley brings back his "Just Venting" column, and takes some shots at Vicente Padilla, Josh Beckett, and "part-time Rangers' television announcer Josh Lewin."
One thing from his column I do agree with:
In the rookie season of Rangers general manager Jon Daniels, his best trade is the one he did not make: third baseman Hank Blalock to Florida for right-hander Josh Beckett.
Blalock has leveled off, but Beckett has been a disaster with Boston. He is 13-8 but has a 5.35 ERA and is 0-3 with a 7.89 ERA in his last five starts.
Had Daniels traded for Beckett, the Rangers probably would not have right-hander Kevin Millwood. He will not win another ERA title, but Millwood is far more reliable than the immature Beckett.
He's right about Millwood...given that the Rangers would have taken on Mike Lowell and his contract if they made that deal, they wouldn't have been likely to add Millwood and his contract. And I'd rather have Blalock, Millwood, John Danks, and Joaquin Arias than Lowell and Beckett.
Carlos Lee is mentioned as a possible San Fran target this offseason.
Let me say it again...the Rangers should not be re-signing Carlos Lee. Re-signing Carlos Lee -- at least, re-signing him to the type of deal he is likely going to want -- would be a colossal mistake.