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Texas Rangers News

It's time for Josh Hamilton to cut the free passes and grow up
February 10
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Garry Fraley
"On Josh Hamilton future following the bar incident. Gerry Fraley: It's time for Josh [Hamilton] to grow up. This thing about a week or so ago ... he just cannot do that. But if also can't wrap himself in the cloak of his faith, an accountability partner or the bartender, he's gotta do it himself. There are a lot of people out there get up and deal with this same problem every day, and they handle it. It's time for him to cut the free pass. You're 30 and going to be 31 in May -- you've got to deal with it yourself."
Rangers sign Cruz to two-year deal
February 9
Foxsports.com
 
"The Rangers eliminated another of their arbitration cases on Thursday, signing right fielder Nelson Cruz to a two-year, $16 million contract, according to a major-league source. Cruz, 31, asked for $7.5 million in arbitration; the Rangers offered $5.5 million. His new deal covers his final two years of arbitration. After that, he is eligible for free agency."
Elvis Andrus' new contract a big win for both sides
February 9
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The three-year, $14.4 million contract that Elvis Andrus signed Wednesday is a money-saver for the Texas Rangers and a headache-saver for the All-Star shortstop. The Rangers bought out all three of Andrus' arbitration years, eliminating three off-seasons of negotiating and also giving Andrus the peace of mind of having guaranteed money now. In the process, he likely has saved the Rangers money moving forward the next three seasons by not maximizing his value through arbitration. But the sides could never agree on a longer deal that would wipe out Andrus' first few free-agent years. That doesn't mean they won't continue to work on that, though."
At this point, Rangers would be OK with Hamilton signing elsewhere
February 9
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Evan Grant
"On Josh Hamilton's reliability moving forward: Grant: If you listen to Josh's apology, it's like he's talking directly to you. The guy is earnest, the guy is convincing, the guy has a really humble approach in dealing with adversity. And somebody else will listen to that and say, "He's over it, he'll deal with it, everything will be fine." But it is two slip-ups in three years. On if Hamilton's relapse will cause the Rangers to lose him: Grant: If he walks away from the Rangers after this year, I don't think that the Rangers will have "lost" him. I think the Rangers will be OK with that at this point in time because he will have kind of come to the end of the road here. I think if Josh"
Can Elvis Andrus improve over new deal? 'My best years are ahead of me'
February 9
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Evan Grant
"In announcing a three-year deal with SS Elvis Andrus Wednesday afternoon that will control his salary until he's eligible for free agency following the 2014 season, the topic of improvement came up. Offensively, Andrus has only marginally improved during the first three years of his career. After going backward in the leadoff spot in 2010, he did make a step forward in 2011, particularly where it came to driving the ball. His slugging percentage jumped from .301 to .361, but that was still lower than the .373 mark in his rookie year. Overall Andrus' on-base-plus-slugging percentage has gone from .702 as a rookie to .643 in 2010 to .708 last season."
Source: Rangers, Cruz close on two-year deal
February 9
Dallas Morning News
 
"SS Elvis Andrus may not be the only Ranger to get a multi-year contract this week. According to a major league source, the club is close with OF Nelson Cruz on a two-year deal that would eliminate his scheduled arbitration hearing next week. The 2-year deal with Cruz, who is seeking $7.5 million via arbitration, would allow the Rangers to avoid an arbitration hearing with him again next winter. The Rangers offered Cruz $5.5 million this year, making the midpoint between the two offers $6.5 million. With a signing bonus, Andrus received the exact midpoint ($3.125 million) for 2012."
Rangers hire assistant to support Josh Hamilton
February 8
ESPN.com
 
"The Texas Rangers announced Tuesday night that Shayne Kelley has been named a major league staff assistant and part of his duties will be to support Josh Hamilton. Kelley, a graduate of the University of Alabama, will also help hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh and the Rangers coaching staff as part of his duties. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said that Kelley has already started in his position and accompanied Hamilton to New York on Monday as the slugger saw two doctors, one with MLB and one with the union. Daniels said he's expecting a full report on that meeting within the next few days."
Source: Rangers, Andrus agree to three-year deal
February 8
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Rangers on Tuesday insured they won't have to deal with an arbitration hearing for shortstop Elvis Andrus this winter, or any other before he reached free agency eligibility. According to a major league source, the club and Andrus agreed to a three-year deal, pending a physical, worth close to $15 million. The deal comes less than 48 hours before Rangers officials, Andrus and his representatives were scheduled to go before an arbitration panel in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Rangers had offered Andrus $2.65 million, while he sought $3.6 million in arbitration. Rangers general manager Jon Daniels did not comment Tuesday."
Mora: I turned down Rangers
February 7
Dallas Morning News
 
"Veteran Melvin Mora told the Venezuelan newspaper El Universal that he turned down an offer from the Texas Rangers. According to Mora, the Rangers wanted him to come to spring training to compete for the utility-infielder job. Mora said he declined and is waiting for an offer from a team closer to his home in the Baltimore area."
At this point, Rangers would be OK with Hamilton signing elsewhere
February 7
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Evan Grant
"Grant: If you listen to Josh's apology, it's like he's talking directly to you. The guy is earnest, the guy is convincing, the guy has a really humble approach in dealing with adversity. And somebody else will listen to that and say, "He's over it, he'll deal with it, everything will be fine." But it is two slip-ups in three years."
Rangers must decide if they can handle 'burden' of Josh Hamilton's addiction long-term
February 7
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Evan Grant
"This plays out that Josh plays a year as a potential free agent because they're not going to negotiate any time before the season starts. And I think the Rangers now are going to take the approach that they're not even going to approach him. With most players, they don't talk during the season and I think right now, there's no reason for them to talk. People want to talk about leverage in this situation, but leverage is a moot point at this point. It's gone from this: the Rangers were asking Josh previously to give them a hometown discount. I think now the Rangers will be discussing whether or not they want to put up with this burden long-term."
Brad Hawpe happy to be home, ready to bid for Rangers' roster spot
February 5
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"In the past, Brad Hawpe traveled to Denver or San Diego for an off-season appearance, and didn't mind it. This year, though, Hawpe enjoyed only making a short drive from his Westlake home to Burleson on Friday night for the second-to-last stop of the Rangers Winter Caravan. "This was my shortest distance," said Hawpe, making his first public appearance since signing a minor-league deal with the Texas Rangers earlier this off-season. "It's going to be great, and it's fun to do things like this in your hometown." Hawpe, a former Saginaw Boswell High School star, knows spring training will be different from his previous ones. He doesn't have a guaranteed job. If he earns a roster spot, he"
Sooner the Rangers get back on the field the better
February 5
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 columnist Randy Galloway
"In other local baseball news, pitchers and catchers report in 17 days. Ain't that just great. Speaking strictly for myself, the Texas Rangers being back on the field, even if it's a diamond in Arizona, is the best way of purging all recent elements involving local jock kingdom demons, which on my list includes: Game 6, ninth inning. The Cowboys. Jerry. Nellie on that damn fly ball. No Tyson Chandler. Dirk got lazy. Josh got drunk. Game 6, 10th inning. Speaking of Josh, I thought the most surprising news of last week involving the Rangers came across the Internet on Thursday, meaning it was a few hours too early to include any dirty pictures that are apparently now for sale. (The Hamilton"
Borbon out of lineup for Dominican victory in Caribe Series
February 5
Dallas Morning News
 
"Dominican Republic manager Ken Oberkfell held Texas Rangers outfielder Julio Borbon out of the lineup against Puerto Rico lefthander Bobby Livingston for Saturday night's game in the Caribe Series in Santo Domingo, D.R. Borbon, a left-handed hitter, went hitless in his first six at-bats in the Caribe Series after a strong showing in the championship round of the Dominican playoffs. Livingston has made 13 major-league appearances, with Cincinnati and Seattle."
Rangers' fans express empathy for Hamilton
February 4
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Cody Seals, a 37-year-old from Joshua, remembers the time he and his 11-year-old son, Austin, met Josh Hamilton before a game at Rangers Ballpark. Hamilton chatted with them for a few minutes and autographed an item for Austin. After learning about Hamilton's second known relapse in his ongoing battle with drug and alcohol addiction, Seals still supports the Texas Rangers star outfielder. The father and son both wore Hamilton jerseys to the Rangers Winter Caravan stop at Academy Sports and Outdoors on Friday night, hours after Hamilton made a statement regarding his latest relapse. "Everybody makes mistakes," Seals said. "I don't know what else to say. I'm still a huge fan, and like and"
Rangers should say 'no, thanks' to Hamilton bidding war
February 4
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 columnist Mac Engel
"Bye, Josh. It's too bad because Josh Hamilton might be the most talented baseball player who has ever run around Arlington. Josh Hamilton's relationship with baseball is as pure as anybody ever born. It his relationship, however, with some other stuff that muddies everything. That puts the Rangers in the no-win position of having to say, "No, thanks" when the money gets stupid, which it will when some ambitious owner gives Hamilton the years and the money he, his agent and his union collectively seek. It has been much theorized and debated that Hamilton's next contract will be one of the most unique in baseball history because of his well-documented substance abuse problems. One of"
Josh Hamilton on contract talk: 'We'll put that on the back burner'
February 4
Dallas Morning News
 
"Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton said he would have preferred that Friday's press conference been called to discuss a contract extension with the club rather than his use of alcohol on Monday night. `I'm sorry it had to be this way,'' Hamilton said. ``It would have been nice if it had been about a contract. We'll put that on the back burner for a while.''"
Josh Hamilton on relapse: 'It was just wrong'
February 4
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Josh Hamilton came clean Friday about his relapse with alcohol, clearing teammate Ian Kinsler of any wrongdoing and praising the Texas Rangers for the support they have given since his "weak moment" Monday. Hamilton did not take any questions during a news conference at Rangers Ballpark, but gave a statement that covered 12 minutes and many of the details that took place at two restaurants in North Dallas. He consumed multiple drinks, though none in the presence of Kinsler, and the drinking eventually led to behavior that he said he regrets and was hurtful toward his family. His focus has returned to his plan to stay sober, which starts with his faith and is aided by reaching out to his"
Rangers' Josh Hamilton has alcohol relapse at Dallas bar
February 3
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, the 2010 American League MVP who has battled addiction to drugs and alcohol for nearly a decade, had a relapse with alcohol Monday night at a bar in Dallas. Multiple baseball sources confirmed the situation Thursday night. The Rangers have known for at least two days and have informed Major League Baseball, which previously has recommended that Hamilton avoid alcohol but doesn't ban him drinking. Hamilton is tested three times a week for banned substances and has never failed a drug test. "We are aware of a situation but have no further comment at this time," a club official said."
Rangers must decide if Josh Hamilton can be trusted
February 3
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 columnist Randy Galloway
"Too bad that it actually matters. Too bad that a 30-year-old ballplayer cannot pull up a stool at a Dallas bar, have a beer, and as long as he's not driving or causing trouble, have maybe more than a couple of beers. But for Josh Hamilton, it matters. Really matters. Obviously, he cannot be drinking even one beer at any time. On Monday, however, he was drinking more than one at a Dallas bar, and based on available information, drinking many more than just one. Maybe you've heard. Josh has a problem, a problem that is well documented. He's an addict. Once an addict, always ... The most talented ballplayer in the big leagues took another steep fall in this latest episode, and to be"
Sources: Rangers' Josh Hamilton has relapse with alcohol at area bar
February 3
Dallas Morning News
 
"Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, recovering from alcohol and drug addictions, had a relapse this week in his quest to remain sober. According to individuals familiar with the episode, Hamilton drank alcohol Monday night at Sherlock's Pub & Grill in Dallas. Teammate Ian Kinsler also showed up at the bar for what appeared to be an attempt to persuade Hamilton to return to his home in Westlake. This was Hamilton's second alcohol-related relapse in three years. In January 2009, he drank to excess in a bar in Tempe, Ariz."
Josh Hamilton spotted drinking alcohol at DFW bar
February 2
Hardball Talk
 
"The details are slim, but they're still cringe-worthy. According to reporter Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton was spotted consuming alcohol at a bar in the Dallas-Fort Worth area on Monday night. It's not clear what exactly the 2010 American League MVP was drinking or how intoxicated he became. A Rangers spokesman told the Morning News in a written statement that the organization is "aware of a situation" but not prepared to comment further."
Source: Roy Oswalt undecided
February 1
ESPN.com
 
"After indicating late Friday night that pitcher Roy Oswalt was signing with the St. Louis Cardinals "soon," the same major league source acknowledged Wednesday that Oswalt had not yet made a decision and that the Red Sox still "had a great chance" of signing him. In the interim, Oswalt also paid a visit to the Texas Rangers, so it appears that it remains a three-team contest among the Cardinals, Rangers and Red Sox. A Red Sox source confirmed Wednesday that the team had not abandoned hopes of signing Oswalt, indicating that the 34-year-old right-hander may have a better chance at a regular turn starting with the Sox than with the other two clubs, both of whom appear to have filled their"
Sources: Playoff expansion has issues
February 1
ESPN.com
 
"Baseball commissioner Bud Selig continues to talk confidently about expanding the baseball playoff field in 2012. But sources tell ESPN.com efforts to make that happen remain bogged down, all because of one thorny little complication: the details. Wednesday was supposed to be the day the commissioner's office finished a proposed schedule for the 2012 postseason and shipped it to the players' association for consideration. But sources told ESPN.com that deadline wasn't going to be met -- not because talks have broken down, but because fitting two extra wild-card pieces into the postseason puzzle has proven to be more involved than the commissioner has been willing to acknowledge. The new"
Stalemate continues with Oswalt
February 1
Foxsports.com
 
"The St. Louis Cardinals clearly were not close to signing free-agent right-hander Roy Oswalt Friday night, as multiple reports suggested. If a deal at that point actually had been within reach, it would have been done by now. So, what the heck is going on with Roy O? Probably the same thing that has been going on since the beginning – Oswalt wants to pitch either for the Texas Rangers or St. Louis Cardinals, yet is not an easy fit for either team. Talks are fluid and can accelerate quickly, but Oswalt's agent, Bob Garber, appears to be in a bind. If Oswalt does not want to play for the Boston Red Sox or any other interested club, all the agent can do is wait. And the Rangers and Cardinals"
Texas Rangers promote scouts, make hire
February 1
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The Texas Rangers have prided themselves in developing their own talent in building a World Series-caliber organization. That stretches across all departments, from players to coaches to scouts. Promoting from within held true on Tuesday, as the team announced several promotions and hires in the scouting department, as well as a few others in different departments. Among the more notables are professional scout Greg Smith becoming a special assistant, major league scout; Jim Colborn goes from director to senior adviser of Pacific Rim operations; central crosschecker Mike Grouse, who has spent 20 years in the organization, becomes national crosschecker; and amateur scout Randy Taylor, going"
If Rangers don't extend Josh Hamilton by spring training, he'll be gone at season's end
February 1
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Kevin Sherrington
"What will happen with Josh Hamilton's contract negotiations with the Rangers: Sherrington: I think they're going to have to sign him now before spring training because the way I see it and the way his history has been, they can't sign him after the season. One of two things is going to happen with Josh. You know his numbers are going to be good if he's healthy, but he's either healthy or he's not. When he's good, he's very, very good. Let's say he has another monster year like he had in his MVP year, then that drives the numbers out of sight for the Rangers and I don't think they want to do that. They don't want to take that risk. If he has another year where he's injured again, I think"
Mitch Moreland motivated by Prince Fielder talk: 'I want to go out and prove we don't need him'
February 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"Long after most fans have forgotten about the Rangers' flirtation with a certain former free agent, there's at least one man in Dallas who's still got Prince Fielder on the brain. Rangers first baseman Mitch Moreland, who would've been out of a job had Fielder come to Texas, understood his club's interest in a perennial all-star, but also came out of the ordeal with a chip on his shoulder. "I think it was more of a motivation thing for me," Moreland told ESPN Radio's Bryan Dolgin. "He's a good player and all, but I want to go out and prove we don't need him.""
Nelson Cruz: 'I want to be a Ranger for life'
February 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"Nelson Cruz and the Rangers have a little less than three weeks to hammer out a one-year deal ahead of Cruz's February 17 arbitration hearing. It seems that both sides would prefer to bridge the gap between the $7.5 million figure Cruz asked for and the $5.5 million the Rangers offered, rather than leaving it to an arbiter to decide. "We are exchanging numbers, negotiating for a year and leaving the doors open for a multi-year contract," Cruz told Enrique Rojas of the Spanish-language site ESPN Deportes Los Angeles."
Rangers' brass tight-lipped after meeting with Roy Oswalt
January 31
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Rangers' meeting with free-agent righthander Roy Oswalt on Monday produced no sign of ground-breaking developments. General manager Jon Daniels, who previously said he was "intrigued" by Oswalt, declined to comment. Bob Garber, who represents Oswalt, said the parties "had a very good meeting" but declined further comment. It was not known if the Rangers made a specific contract proposal. St. Louis has offered a one-year deal that includes a relatively low base salary with incentives."
Rangers give manager Ron Washington 2-year extension
January 31
Dallas Morning News
 
"Texas manager Ron Washington has signed a two-year contract extension after leading the Rangers to the World Series for the second straight season. The deal Monday puts Washington under contract through the 2014 season. Washington has a 427-383 record in five seasons with Texas, his first big league managerial job. He is the first manager in major league history to increase his team's win total in four consecutive seasons after his initial year with a club. "He's become a great manager, and a good personal friend and partner in all that we do," general manager Jon Daniels said. "And obviously a huge part of our success, in my mind, is his ability to set the tone in that clubhouse to"
World Series odds for Rangers, Angels dead even
January 30
Dallas Morning News
 
"Who's got the early edge in the race for the AL West? If you heed the advice of odds makers, it's a dead heat. According to Vegas.com , the Rangers and Angels both sit at 8/1 odds of winning the 2012 World Series . That puts the AL West rivals in a tie for fourth, behind odds-on favorite Philadelphia (9/2), as well as the Red Sox and Yankees (both at 7/1)."
Rangers scheduled to meet with Roy Oswalt on Monday
January 30
Dallas Morning News
 
"Righthander Roy Oswalt is scheduled to meet with the Rangers on Monday. Boston, St. Louis and Houston are also involved in the Oswalt sweepstakes. The Rangers have not made an offer, a person familiar with the situation said. The Rangers met with another prominent free agent, first baseman Prince Fielder, on Jan. 13. That led to an offer, but Detroit surpassed the Rangers."
Rangers add outfielder to spring mix
January 29
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The Rangers and Kyle Hudson, a speedy outfielder who made his major-league debut in September, have agreed to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Hudson comes over from Baltimore, which released him Jan. 19. He rocketed through the Orioles' system last year, opening in High A but making his big-league debut in September. He had the highest composite on-base percentage (.375) in the Orioles' system last year."
Harrison focused on staying in Rangers' rotation
January 29
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Matt Harrison has heard all the ways that the Texas Rangers could move him out of the rotation this year after a breakthrough campaign last season. First, Yu Darvish joined a crowded pool of starters when he signed a six-year contract Jan. 18, and more recently the Rangers have been linked to free agent Roy Oswalt. They continue to talk to the right-hander, who would give them an extra arm in case the injury bug should hit. The Rangers went through 2011 without having a starter go on the disabled list, but saw an injury to Tommy Hunter late in spring alter their pitching plans. Harrison, who will make $2.95 million this year, doesn't want to pitch in the bullpen after going 14-9 with a"
Rangers scheduled to meet with Roy Oswalt on Monday
January 29
Dallas Morning News
 
"Righthander Roy Oswalt is scheduled to meet with the Rangers on Monday if he remains on the free-agent market that long. Boston, St. Louis and Houston are also involved in the Oswalt sweepstakes. The Rangers have not made an offer, a person familiar with the situation said."
Jon Daniels: We'd like to get a deal done with Josh Hamilton before season starts
January 28
Dallas Morning News
 
"With Prince Fielder off the market it would seem like Jon Daniels and the Rangers front office would have the majority of their attention focused on getting a long-term deal done with Josh Hamilton. On Friday, Daniels, the Rangers general manager, said there have been talks with Hamilton's representatives and those conversations will continue with the hopes of something being finalized by the start of the regular season. "We both agree that we don't want it to be a distraction," Daniels said Friday on 103.3's The Ben and Skin Show [KESN-FM]. "Unless we're 90 percent down the line, we both agree, 'Hey let's do it right up until we report and after that let's put it aside.' ... Hopefully, by"
Jon Daniels: We have 'more than a set rotation' but adding Roy Oswalt is 'intriguing'
January 28
Dallas Morning News
 
"With Derek Holland, Colby Lewis , Yu Darvish , Neftali Feliz , Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando all looking at spots in the Rangers' starting rotation, it seems unlikely that the club would add another arm to the group. But reports have stated that free agent Roy Oswalt, a three-time all-star, is interested in joining the two-time defending American League champs. So how does Rangers general manager Jon Daniels feel about possibly acquiring the 34-year-old right-hander? "We've got more than a set rotation, quite frankly," Daniels said Friday on 103.3's The Ben and Skin Show [KESN-FM]. "So the fit's not maybe as clean as it has been in years past. When you look at a guy like Roy, with his"
Selig expects two one-game playoffs for this fall
January 28
Chicago Tribune
 
"Baseball appears ready for an extra round of wild-card playoffs by this fall, according to commissioner Bud Selig. "I really believe we'll have the (extra) wild card for this year," Selig said Friday at SoxFest. "Clubs really want it. I don't think I've ever seen an issue that the clubs want more than to have the extra wild card." The extra round would be one-game elimination in both the National and American Leagues to the teams who would have missed the playoffs as they are set up now. Some have argued for a best-of-three, but that appears impossible with the scheduled all but set for 2012."
If Josh Hamilton plays every day, cash and union love will follow
January 27
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 columnist Randy Galloway
"The fans love him. I love him. But that love might be a one-way street, at least based on Josh Hamilton's repeated priorities when asked about continued employment as a baseball businessman in Arlington. There will be NO hometown discount, Josh has consistently informed us. His loyalty is first and foremost to the players' union; therefore you get all you can get to help those coming behind you, as those ahead of him have done for Josh. All Hamilton asks is to be treated "fairly" when it comes to a long-term contract offer from the Rangers. (On a personal note: Have you ever noticed that your idea of "fair" compensation seems to always differ from management's estimation of what your value"
Rangers can't commit more than five years to Josh Hamilton
January 27
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Kevin Sherrington
"On how Prince Fielder signing with Detroit will affect the Rangers' negotiations with Josh Hamilton: Sherrington: I think you'll see them a little more amenable to negotiating with Josh on this thing, although Josh has said if it isn't done by the start of spring training, he's not talking until the end of the season. … Josh is 31-years-old. I'm not giving him a seven- or eight-year deal either. I don't go more than five or six years with anybody. Especially the Rangers, because here's a team that's built around the farm system. They've done everything right -- they've built this team well, they're put together well, they're procuring international talent, they're in on this Cuban pitcher"
Report: Rangers front office debating over need for Roy Oswalt
January 27
Dallas Morning News
 
"Roy Oswalt apparently wants to pitch for the Texas Rangers. But do the Rangers want Roy Oswalt? According to a tweet by ESPN's Jerry Crasnick on Thursday, there is some debate in the Rangers' front office as to the club's need for Oswalt given the surplus of starting pitching the team already seems to have. The Rangers currently have four starters from last year's rotation on the roster: Derek Holland, Colby Lewis , Matt Harrison and Alexi Ogando. But with the signing of Yu Darvish and the move of Neftali Feliz into a starting role, the club now has six starters for five spots, a fact that will likely push Ogando back into the bullpen."
"Good chance" Uehara gets traded
January 26
MLB.com
 
"According to Major League sources, there is a "pretty good chance" that reliever Koji Uehara is going to get traded soon. The Rangers, who acquired him from the Orioles on July 30 for Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis, would likely get prospects in return. The Rangers had a deal worked out with the Blue Jays but Uehara exercised his limited no-trade clause on that one. There are still a number of teams that are interested in Uehara and the Rangers like what they are hearing as far as what they can get in return. Uehara has become available since the signing of Yu Darvish because the Rangers have told Alexi Ogando there is a good chance that he could end up back in the bullpen."
Report: Free agent Roy Oswalt wants to pitch for either Rangers or Cardinals
January 26
Dallas Morning News
 
"Just a day after the Rangers officially missed out on Prince Fielder, the club found its name linked to another high-profile free agent. Three-time All-Star Roy Oswalt wants to play for either the Rangers or the St. Louis Cardinals next year, according to a report for Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "The Rangers, in the view of some executives, are the favorites to land Oswalt, even though they already have six starting pitchers, including right-hander Alexi Ogando, who could move to the bullpen," Rosenthal wrote."
Losing out on Prince Fielder doesn't make Rangers' decision on Josh Hamilton any easier
January 26
Dallas Morning News
 
"During the Rangers' courtship of former free agent Prince Fielder , it seemed like Josh Hamilton's future with the club was hanging in the balance. Fielder and Hamilton were almost certainly mutually exclusive options, meaning if Texas ponied up the cash for Fielder, they'd have to let Hamilton walk in free agency next year to avoid drowning the club in payroll commitments. But even now that Fielder is off the market -- after signing a nine-year, $214-million contract with the Tigers on Tuesday -- the decision on whether or not to extend Hamilton's contract hasn't been made any easier for Texas, writes Sports Illustrated's Albert Chen."
Healthy Hamilton worth more than Prince's ransom
January 25
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 columnist Gil Lebreton
"Sometimes the best deal is the one you don't make. I forget the name of the general manager who originally uttered that oft-quoted adage. I often wonder, though, what that GM thought when he looked at the lineup card in July and saw Chris Shelton listed at first base. But, yikes! Nine years? At $214 million? Goodnight, sweet Prince. And here's to living happily ever-after. There is no way that the Texas Rangers were going to spread $214 million over nine seasons for the free-agent services of first baseman Prince Fielder."
Toronto moves on from Uehara
January 25
Dallas Morning News
 
"Scratch Toronto from the list of teams that could take on Texas Rangers right-handed reliever Koji Uehara. According to a major-league official, Uehara on Tuesday told the Rangers that he would reject a deal to Toronto. The Jays are among the teams that Uehara has no-trade protection against in a contract signed with Baltimore in December, 2010. The Blue Jays responded by quickly signing free-agent righthander Francisco Cordero, a former closer with the Rangers and several other teams. Cordero received a one-year deal worth $4.5 million."
MLB allows retired Tony La Russa to manage in All-Star game against Ron Washington
January 25
Dallas Morning News
 
"Tony La Russa will come out of retirement to manage the National League team for the July 10 All-Star Game at Kansas City. La Russa will go against Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington, who will handle the American League team for the second consecutive season. La Russa retired shortly after St. Louis defeated the Rangers in the seven-game World Series."
Texas likely out of Prince Fielder free-agent derby
January 24
USA Today
 
"The Texas Rangers believe they are out out of the bidding for free-agent slugger Prince Fielder, according to a person with knowledge of the talks, but not authorized to speak publicly because of the ongoing negotiations. Fielder met Jan. 13 with Rangers' offiicals in Dallas, and they were among his strongest suitors. The Rangers' likely elimination would seem to make the Washington Nationals front-runners for Fielder's services. The Nationals have courted Fielder for months and have had ongoing negotiations, but have waited patiently for the bidding process to unfold."