Been taking it easy from reporting as you’ve noticed. I’m going to have a few words to say about a few recent events in Rangers Land.
1) Promotions Schedule: First off, I know I mentioned this the last time I did one of these kinds of updates, but I feel so strongly about it that I wanted to repeat it. The Rangers released the 2008 promotions schedule. It has the usual gaggle of things – Dollar hot dogs, fireworks, bobbleheads, caps, etc, etc… One thing that is worth nothing that I think needs to be pointed out. You know how in the last year or so the Rangers got in on that “We’re going to charge more for higher profile games” (Read: Opening Day, Yankees, Red Sox)? Well, guess what? All the games that have pre or post game concerts, as well as all fireworks games are now part of this “premium pricing” thing. That’s right, you’re gonna pay a few more bucks just for that. Guess they got tired of footing the bill for the fireworks show.
Don’t let them fool you when they say it’s a free fireworks show. It ain’t. :(
2) Kaz Fukumori finally added to roster: The Rangers finally added Fukomori to the 40 man roster on the 14th, after having announced his signing back on December 14th. He sat in roster purgatory in the meantime, but since he wasn’t an MLB player before that, I’d wager there’s some fiddly obscure rules. The casualty of this move was recently acquired first baseman Chris Shelton. Hardly knew ‘ye, Chris. I guess that makes more space/time for Ben Broussard. (Story)
3) Marlon Byrd signed: Marlon Byrd was signed to a contract for 2008, avoiding arbitration. He was the fan choice in 2007 to be the starting center fielder this year. Given our moves since then, I seriously doubt he’ll get that job unless there’s some big health problems in spring training. Byrd got $1.8 million. For a fourth outfielder, that’s not a bad payday. As I’ve said before, I remember Byrd from his days in Philadelphia. One of those “great promise” guys who shows flashes of brilliance, but never completely turns on the light bulb. Not sure what will happen in 2008 (Bradley, Hamilton), but I don’t see him getting as much playing time in 2008, assuming he’s here. As I write this on the 19th, there’s been some talk the last few days about a possible trade with the Cubs for Byrd. Assuming everyone’s healthy, this would be a logjam freeing move, but my gut feeling is that we hang onto Byrd going into the season at least. (Story)
4) Jason Jennings signed: There’d been talk for awhile now about the Rangers looking for a middle tier (cheap?) veteran reliever to join our rotation. They found one. Jason Jennings, of recent Houston vintage. Jennings is a local boy, having been born in Dallas. Had a horrendous year in Houston last year, going 2-9 with a 6.45 ERA. He had a decent ERA in 2006 (3.something) in Colorado, and could be OK if all the planets align. But I’m tired of these guys who “could” work out if everything goes right. So here I am again hoping everything goes right. Sigh. Also, there’s been no corresponding 40 man roster move for this, so he hasn’t “officially” been put on the roster yet as I write this. (Story)
5) Bill White ‘re-‘signed: Somewhat serviceable relief pitcher Bill White was resigned to a minor league contract after having been waived and removed from the 40 man roster. Not a move that will get anyone jumping up and down, but he wasn’t too bad in 07. Could be a nice roster emergency piece should you need it. (Story)
6) Gerald Laird signed: Gerald Laird was signed to a 2008 contract, avoiding arbitration. Laird will make $1.6 Million in 08 (over his 450k in 07). He completely tanked at the plate offensively in 2007, but if you’re reading this site, then you should know about Gerald already. I still have to admit to being surprised that they announced that Salty will be the primary catcher in 08 awhile ago. One would think you’d go into it with competition. I can hear the interviews already in spring training on TV with Gerald. His reply will go something like “I’ve always had to fight for my job with this organization, this year will be no different.” The only question is on what date will we get to hear him say that on TV? My gut feeling is we’re hanging on to him long enough to trade him, given the catching depth we have in the minors long term. (Story)

I get an instant message from Jamey Newberg last night asking me if I had quit the blog (I did kind of say I might do that in September). So I posted this. Now I’m on my fourth post in the last 24 hours. Thanks Jamey! :)
Since my last post earlier this morning, a few things have happened, and a couple since last night.
1) Guardardo signing official: The Rangers officially signed Eddie Guardardo today. One year contract for $2 million, plus another possible FOUR million in incentives. Sounds like a similar deal (with less raw dollars) than the deal they gave Eric Gagne last off season. Somehow I don’t think Everyday Eddie will be a) everyday, and b) as good as Gagne. The stated reasons are probably viable, they need some sort of established veteran presence in the pen. Two million isn’t a huge loss if Eddie blows his arm out. I’m indifferent towards this one.
2) Jamey Wright resigned: Jamey Wright who had some surprisingly decent numbers last year with us was resigned to a one year minor league deal, which has an invite to spring training. Jamey was someone I did not want to like – I originally disliked the signing. It worked out better than I thought, he was pretty good out of the pen once he got there. Had a 2.05 ERA in 11 appearances. I would have thought he deserved better than a minor league deal, but oh well.
3) Bill White released: Bill White one of the lesser names in our pen last season was placed on waivers for the purpose of being released earlier this week. This made room for the Guardardo signing. Read tonight that he cleared waivers, and we’re trying to resign him to a minor league deal. Eh.
4) Ticket Prices go up again: Sorta. The expensive seats that your average fan can’t buy anyway are getting more expensive. Fine, they can gouge the boob job & cocaine crowd all they want. For those regular fans, we’ll be in the cheap seats. I’d like to point out now though that the seats at the upper most part of the park are the same price as the first row seats downstairs were in 1994 when the place opened ($16). Those tickets are now $125 each.
5) Kazuo Fukumori: He was announced as signed, but when he was “signed”, we had a full 40 man roster. The next person to be dropped was Bill White, and he was moved out to make room for Guardardo. So unless I totally missed something, Fukumori isn’t “officially” signed yet. What’s going on with this?
6) Promotions schedule: The Rangers released the 2008 promotions schedule. It has the usual gaggle of things – Dollar hot dogs, fireworks, bobbleheads, caps, etc, etc… One thing that is worth nothing that I think needs to be pointed out.
You know how in the last year or so the Rangers got in on that “We’re going to charge more for higher profile games” (Read: Opening Day, Yankees, Red Sox)? Well, guess what? All the games that have pre or post game concerts, as well as all fireworks games are now part of this “premium pricing” thing. That’s right, you’re gonna pay a few more bucks just for that. Guess they got tired of footing the bill for the fireworks show.
Don’t let them fool you when they say it’s a free fireworks show. It ain’t. :(

Short message for a short interview. Go check out a quick interview with Jim Colburn. Jim as you may now is the new “Director of Pacific Rim Operations” for the Texas Rangers. News about his hiring can be read here.
Anyway, Jim appeared on the XM Radio “Hot Stove” show on Thursday. You can read the exerpt from Jim’s appearance here.

I guess the Reds cleared up some of their outfield logjam, a longtime problem up in Cincinnati.
The Rangers acquired Josh Hamilton from the Reds today for Edinson Volquez and minor league pitcher Danny Herrera. I have to admit to not knowing much about Herrera, but Volquez is not a stranger to Rangers fans. When he’s on, Volquez is electric, but I think he kind of wore out his welcome by not being able to figure it out in the majors. Will he end up being like other pitchers who have left here and done well, or will he be like Ricardo Rodriguez and Juan Dominguez?
Josh Hamilton is one of those stories that you like. He’s got tools, he can be what we need in CF, I think. He does have a bit of baggage. Jamey Newberg said it right in his news flash by saying just.. “Wow”.

There’s a nice breakdown of new Rangers reliever Kazuo Fukumori over on one of the Ft Worth Star Telegram blogs. It goes:
New Rangers reliever Kazuo Fukumori was introduced to the media Friday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The media contingent had a strong international flair with many Japanese reporters on hand for the signing. Among things we learned about the 31-year-old right-hander were:

• His last name is pronounced foo-koo-MORE-ee
• He goes by Kaz
• He’s learning English but spoke through interpretors
• He’s a fastball, forkball pitcher
• He’s throwing from the mound already after having elbow surgery this year and expects to be ready for Opening Day
• His preferred role is whatever role manager Ron Washington wants to put him in
• He was 4-2 with 17 saves and a 4.75 ERA before the elbow surgery in 2007 while pitching for the Tohuku RakutenT
• he contract is for two years with a club option for 2010

From the “dumbass” file..

NEW YORK — A teenage shortstop in the Texas Rangers organization was suspended Friday for the first 50 games of next season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance under baseball’s minor league drug program.
Julio Gonzalez, 19, hit .253 in 27 games this season in rookie ball in Arizona.
The penalty came a day after the Mitchell Report was released, looking at steroids in the major leagues.
Gonzalez got the 30th suspension this year under the minor league program. There have been eight under the major league plan.

From an AP Wire story:

The Texas Rangers signed Edgardo Alfonzo on Friday to a minor-league contract that would pay him $650,000, plus incentives, if he makes the major league roster.
Alfonzo last appeared in the majors in 2006 for a total of 30 games with the Los Angeles Angels and Toronto Blue Jays.

From my mind:

Well, I haven’t done a good post in awhile, and given I’ve decided to continue the site after my September burnout, I probably should say something about recent events. I’m still going to lie low this offseason anyway, not do as much as some offseasons past. Kind of recharge, know what I mean? Anyway, here goes a few thoughts on several recent events.
Nov 30: Salty made starting catcher: I thought this was a bit of an odd move. It certainly rubs salt in the wounds of Gerald Laird, and I thought made him an easily movable target at the winter meetings. Given the names we have at catcher down in the minors, I figured naming Salty the primary catcher for 2008 meant that Laird was out the door for another piece. Didn’t happen. I wonder how disgruntled Laird will be if we go into 2008 with him as backup. Salty as catcher doesn’t bother me, but I think Laird has the edge on his defense. (Story Link)
Dec 1: Arbitration declinations: Several players were not offered arbitration, basically cutting them loose. The list here was Sammy Sosa, Jamey Wright, Jerry Hairston, & Brad Wilkerson. Hairston and Wilkerson were at this date locks not to come back. Events since then have pretty much guaranteed that. There was some talk that Sosa could come back under the right circumstances, but his statement that he wants $7 million guaranteed probably rules that out. Jamey Wright was better than I was expecting him to be, and wouldn’t be surprised if he returns for the pen. But I haven’t seen any news about him since this story. (Story Link)
Dec 3: Dance with Gagne again: There was some talk about the Rangers signing Eric Gagne again for 2008. Didn’t happen, presumably because he wanted more guaranteed money than we were willing to provide (He got $10 Mil). So that didn’t happen. Not a big deal, really. (Story Link)
Dec 5: Chris Shelton acquired: Chris Shelton was acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the winter meetings for spare part outfielder Freddy Guzman. Guzman was good to me on my baseball game on the Xbox 360, as he was incredibly fast. That’s about it. Guzman didn’t really have a chance here, so he was sent to Detroit for Shelton. Shelton can probably be good, although whether he gets the full time 1B job is a question mark. He had that incredibly hot streak of home runs early in the 2006 season, but fell out of favor in Detroit. Probably a good low risk pickup. Didn’t cost us anything we really wanted, and it could work out from a “lightning in a bottle” standpoint. (Story Link)
Dec 5: Wash wants 10 more wins: Ron Washington came out and said that the Rangers target should be 10 more wins in 2008. That would give ’em a record of 85-78 record in 2008. Much better, but probably not enough to dent the playoffs. I saw Wash take a few shots in the press for those remarks. But he’s the manager – what the heck is he supposed to say? “Uh guys, let’s get the same 75 wins we had in 2007” – no he won’t be doing THAT. (Story Link)
Dec 9: Rangers sign Milton Bradley: The Rangers signed Milton Bradley to a one year contract worth $5 mil plus incentives. It was later made official on Dec 13th. I’ll just copy what I wrote a few days back on Bradley, as my thoughts haven’t changed any. This is a bit of a comedown from the names we were talking about as outfielders, although the story said it was to be a primary DH. I never quite understood a specific player for DH, because I loved the way Johnny Oates handled the position. As a place you could dump a player who needed a partial day off, or a place to put your own guys. Signing a DH just to be DH always struck me as a very limiting thing. Anyway, Bradley has a history of confrontations. So did Carl Everett and John Rocker when they came here, so we shall see what happens. I’m sure it’s nowhere near as bad as the reputation makes it out to be, but at the first sign of trouble, I’m sure it will be analyzed by the local media. I’m guessing they probably won’t like it. I’m indifferent – it’s not a signing that will make me jump and down, but I don’t hate it, either. This is one of the two players that would make Josh Lewin’s head explode with puns – the other being Coco Crisp. If we still end up with Crisp, I think Lewin might be speechless from the possibilities. ;) (Story Link)
Dec 10: Ranger fans are stupid: I’m getting tired of seeing stupid trade scenarios in email lists like the one I link to here. It’s the same reason I don’t like listening to post game call ins – the majority of the people who make these questions have no realistic idea of what they’re talking about. Like the old tired “WHY ARE THEY NOT GETTING PITCHING?” Because there is no good stuff to get out there right now? I mean come on – several recent free agent signee suggestions I’ve seen mentioned aren’t possible at all because they’re not free agents! That just infuriates me – do your homework before asking a question! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH! (Story Link)
Dec 10: Kevin Mench DFA’ed by Brewers: Our old friend Kevin Mench was DFA’ed by the Brewers (and later non tendered on Dec 12th). There was some brief talk about bringing him back, and I thought about it for a minute. TR Sullivan had a nice line about that in one of his mailbags.. “Don’t need to look backwards like that” – or something to that effect. As a side note, the Brewers also DFA’ed Laynce Nix, but he got through waivers and was reassigned to Milwaukee’s minor league system. (Story Link)
Dec 11: Rangers sign 7 minor leaugee free agents: Yawn. Franklyn German could be a name that might show up in Arlington, but does anyone think we’ll see major league production out of these guys? Thank you, drive through. If I’m wrong on this, I’ll admit it, but these “throw a bunch on the wall and see if anything stick” moves rarely work. (Story Link)
Dec 12: Rangers get Ben Broussard from Mariners: At the last minute of the non tender deadline, the Rangers acquired Ben Broussard from the Mariners from Tug Hulett. Ben Broussard is one of those guys who is good, but not awesome from what I can gather. His career numbers say he’s not going to set the world on fire, but he will be servicable. Not entirely sure what his 08 status is, but I think he’s arbitration eligible. He made $3.55 Million in 2007, so around that isn’t unrealistic, and not bad on the pay scale. He’s not going to be Mark Teixeira over there, but he’ll probably be better than Brad Wilkerson was after Tex was gone. (Story Link)
Dec 12: Akinori Otsuka non tendered: As I mentioned in the story from last night, Aki was non tendered at the sdame time that Broussard was acquired. This brings a rather annoying close to the Chris Young trade. That one definitely falls under failure. I liked Otsuka during his time here, but spent most of his time hurt in 2007. As much as I would have liked to have seen him keep his job, perhaps it’s time to just cut it, and go with CJ Wilson as closer. Nick Gorneault was non tendered, removing him from the roster. Never even wore the Rangers uniform after being picked up on a waiver claim Oct 29th. (Story Link)
Dec 13: Rangers sign Kazuo Fukumori: The Rangers finally sign a reliever, and got what appears to be a bargain – assuming the guy is healthy. Japanese reliever Kazuo Fukumori was signed to a 2 year, $3 million deal. He had bone chip surgery in 2007, which hampered his performance, but in 2006, he had a 2.17 ERA in 58 innings of work. If he can regain that in 08, this will be looked at as a very good move. Likely a setup guy for CJ Wilson. I like this move a lot. (Story Link)
That brings us up to the Mitchell Report, which as I’m typing this is due to be released in 15 minutes. I wanted to clear the deck for that, as it’s going to be a fun ride when that hits. :)
Oh, Arod’s deal with the Yankees was also formally finalized today (link). 10 years, $275 million (up to $305 with incentives), and no subsidy from the Rangers, although we still owe $9 million in deferred from the original deal. I can live with that.
Bring on the Mitchell Report!

Quick notes. I plan a “catch up” post in the next day or so with my thoughts on various things that have happened.
The Rangers got Ben Broussard via trade from the Seattle Mariners tonight for Tug Hulett. To make room of the 40 man roster, Nick Goneault was DFA’ed.
More on this here and here.
On top of that, the Rangers did not offer a contract to Akinori Otsuka, making him a free agent, and making the Chris Young trade even MORE annoying now.
UPDATE on Otsuka: Friend of mine pointed out how well this song fits the Otsuka / Young trade fiasco..
“I want my…I want my…I want my MVP!”

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