Hot Stove Update: Willie Bloomquist, Rod Barajas, Jamey Carroll, Mark Ellis, Aaron Hill, and Mark Kotsay are off the market. A giddy Nick Punto waits by the phone.
Ben Nicholson-Smith talked with Thad Levine at the GM Meetings and they discussed the Rangers' bullpen options, Neftali Feliz's rotation prospects, and the organization's take on Mitch Moreland's second half slump.
T.R. Sullivan contacted Ron Washington to get his thoughts on the possibility of winning American League Manager of the Year. The winner of the award will be announced later today and Washington doesn't seem all that worried about whether he'll win or not. Sullivan also mentions that if Mike Maddux is hired to manage the Cubs, then bullpen coach Andy Hawkins would likely be the front-runner to take over as pitching coach.
Richard Durrett's Dazzling No. 8 moment takes us back to the final game of the season when Mike Napoli homered to beat the Angels and give the Rangers home field in the ALDS. That seems like it was forever ago. I remember feeling very nervous watching that game. I had no idea what was to come.
The DMN's Ryan Jones continues his 10 key questions series by asking: How long can the Rangers keep their front office intact?
On the C.J. Wilson front -- a day after the Angels cozied up to Wilson's agent and professed their desire -- according to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger, the Yankees have invited Wilson to New York to discuss how being mandated to cut ones hair for tons of money is the new personal freedom.
And yet, Jeff Wilson writes that after Rangers officials had a "productive meeting" with C.J.'s agent yesterday, the Rangers appear "ready to fight" to sign Wilson.
Finally, Jeff Caplan writes about clubhouse favorite catcher Matt Treanor signing with the Dodgers yesterday. We'll always have the Miami triple.