Evan Grant talks about the Joaquin Benoit and Rudy Jaramillo contracts, and the role Benoit will be slotted in next year. Grant says the Rangers would prefer to have Akinori Otsuka close, and that both the Rangers and Eric Gagne are interested in Gagne returning to Texas for 2008.
If Otsuka isn't healthy, though, and Gagne signs elsewhere, it sounds like Benoit will be in the mix for the closer role.
Also from Grant, Jerry Narron has passed on interviewing for a job on the coaching staff, and Sandy Alomar, Jr., and Matt Walbeck are being considered for the role vacated by Don Wakamatsu.
Anthony Andro also talks about the Benoit and Jaramillo signings on the S-T site.