Good morning.
Jeff Wilson writes that the Rangers remain in a holding pattern in their main off season task after day one of the Winter Meetings as they await the Anthony Rendon sweepstakes heating up.
Evan Grant writes that the Rangers are of two modes these days as they must stay patient in the Rendon chase but also must plow ahead with improving the roster.
Indeed, the Rangers weren’t silent yesterday as they continued to add to their pitching staff by, as T.R. Sullivan notes, bringing back Joely Rodriguez from Japan.
Prior to adding the lefty for the ‘pen yesterday, Jamey Newberg looked at what the Rangers’ roster would look like if the season started before the Winter Meetings.
Matt Fisher previews what the Rangers might be eyeing at the meetings this week with third base, pitching, and catcher as the primary concerns.
The biggest news from day one of the meetings was the record signing of Stephen Strasburg by the Washington Nationals. Sullivan ponders if the monster deal now paves the way for the Rangers to become favorites to land Rendon.
Wilson writes that the Rangers have options via trade to solve their need at third base should they whiff on signing Rendon or Plan B Josh Donaldson.
FanGraphs’ Rian Watt takes a look at what the Jordan Lyles signing accomplishes for the Rangers.
Nick Piecoro of the the Arizona Republican writes that the Diamondbacks are seeking outfield upgrades and could be interested in Nomar Mazara.
Chris Woodward is in San Diego and Sam Blum writes that the Rangers’ manager is pretty happy with the pitching acquisitions but would like to have a third baseman.
Levi Weaver writes about how multi-time Ranger Bobby Wilson went from journeyman catcher with offers to play in 2020 to the new manager of the Frisco Roughriders.
Over at the DMN, Reece Kelley Graham offers ten things to know about the Rangers’ top free agent target Anthony Rendon.
And, lastly, MLB and the MLBPA re-upped their deal with Sony to continue to produce the video game MLB The Show. The twist: The Show will be available on multiple platforms rather than solely on the Playstation going forward which means MLB did the impossible and convinced Sony to make a game that will be played on Microsoft and Nintendo consoles.
Have a nice day!