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Good morning, folks...
The Texas Rangers acquired Welington Castillo and international slot money from the Chicago White Sox yesterday in exchange for Jonah McReynolds, intending to decline the 2020 option on Castillo. This means the Rangers are essentially paying $500,000, the amount of Castillo’s buyout on his 2020 option, for the right to spend $250,000 in the international market.
Jamey Newberg has Part IV of his offseason prospect rankings, as well as some notes, which include the news (which I had missed) that former Rangers first rounder Luis Ortiz and former Ranger reliever Connor Sadzeck cleared waivers and were outrighted last week. Sadzeck’s departure in the spring caused a good deal of angst among some Rangers fans, but he will be a minor league free agent now, which means the Rangers can bring him back if they wish.
Josh Hamilton’s legal issues continue to play out in the wake of his arrest for allegedly abusing one of his daughters.