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Well, Spring Training is right around the corner. Pitchers and catchers reporting day is Wednesday. To this, I’ve updated a couple of sections of my website.
First is the roster page, which I’ve changed the format of slightly. Now I have the 40 man roster at the top, as well as the non roster spring training invites below that. When the season starts, I intend on having the 25 man roster on the top like I normally have, then below it the other 15 players on the 40 man roster, and minor leaguers below that.
Second is my uniform number history section. This details (as best as I can research) the entire history of each uniform number to be worn in Rangers history. Before about 3 seasons ago when I started keeping track, I was unable to get spring training numbers, but I believe previous to 2002, I have everything covered in season, anyway (except perhaps guys who were only up for one day, or minor things like that).
One note about 2005 Spring Training. The Dallas Morning News for the last few years has published the spring training roster in their preview, which did appear yesterday. However, in seasons past, they had full uniform number assignments. Not this year – they appear to have just copied the information that’s on the Rangers website, which means that just about every NRI has no number assigned, and two 40 man guys don’t have it assigned. Plus it didn’t list the spring training coaches and whatnot. So I’m hoping this info turns up somewhere.
Is anyone reading this going to Surprize, AZ? If so, and you see a program that lists uniform numbers for all the players in spring training, please email me – I will want to get that information from you. Thanks.

Friday’s Dallas Morning News has an article saying that Rogers denies issuing an “extension or I retire” ultimatum. Says he plans on honoring his contract. There were apparently talks about an extension which didn’t go anywhere, and that both sides seem to want Kenny to retire a Ranger.
Such is the fun of negotiations in the media, eh?

The Star Telegram in this morning’s edition says we’ve been offered Cliff Floyd in a trade (although the article doesn’t say for what).
Uh, no thank you. If we had not already brought in Richard Hidalgo, I can see thinking about Cliff Floyd, but not now. Bringing in Floyd now would mean you expect to play him which means there’s a problem with playing time for the guys already on the team out there (Hidalgo, Nix, Mench, Dellucci, Matthews, not to mention the next level in AAA). I can’t see any positive side to bringing in Floyd at this point.

The Ft Worth Star Telegram this morning is reporting here and here that Kenny Rogers has asked the Rangers for a two year contract extension, and might retire if he doesn’t get it. According to the articles, he feels (or maybe it’s Boras, as he’s quoted in there, too) he wants a two year extension at $5 or $6 million a year, plus there was hints at more money for this year, the second of the two year contract he signed.
Uh, hello? What happened to the contract you signed? You did great, so you want more money? I thought you were supposed to honor the contract you signed, not make a power play just because you did good in the first year. This really irritates me. One of the articles thinks it’s a power play, looking for one more year really, not two. I wouldn’t mind that so much, but two at $12 million? I don’t think so. I particularly liked this bit at the end of the second article…
Maybe, knowing he’ll be underpaid this season, Kenny simply felt obliged to ask for more. Maybe he’ll remember how great it felt to be a part of this team last year and show up for spring training, raring to go.
It’s a business. Rogers has been around long enough to know that better than anyone.
But a man is only as good as his word. Kenny gave his. Now he needs to stand behind it.
And if anyone thinks this bodes well for getting Teixeira signed long term before he’s arbitration or free agent eligible, think again. They both have the same agent.
/me sighs.

Rangers sometimes second baseman / sometimes outfielder Ramon Nivar was resigned today for the major league minimum. Not sure where he fits in anymore with all the other prospects we’ve picked up since he got his look. He’s likely a super utility guy at this point.
Speaking of this, the Major league minumum salary was raised from it’s figure of last year at $300,000 to $316,000. This increase was termed a “cost of living increase“. That’s pretty amusing, that they can’t get by on $300,000 and need a cost of living increase of 5.3%! Can I get something like that, please? I guarantee you I need the money more than they do.