Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 19

ESPN.com

columnist Jayson Stark

"We're hearing that the Marlins' Dan Uggla trade talk with the Giants and Rangers got "pretty hot and heavy" at the GM meetings, according to one baseball man. Florida has told other clubs that if it doesn't get what it wants, it will keep Uggla and deal someone else from its pool of arbitration-eligible players -- a group that includes Jorge Cantu, Cody Ross, Alfredo Amezaga and Ricky Nolasco. But Uggla still looms as the runaway winner of all Most Likely To Be An Ex-Marlin contests."

Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like destinations for Milton Bradley

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November 19

ESPN.com

columnist Jayson Stark

"Tampa Bay, Texas and Toronto look like the three most feasible destinations for Milton Bradley these days. But the Cubs are telling teams that (A) they're not interested in digesting all or most of Bradley's money (two years, $21 million) just for the sake of moving him, and (B) the hiring of his old hitting coach, Rudy Jaramillo, means they no longer think they have to trade him. So they seem to be zeroing in on clubs that might be willing to swap one messy contract for another. Pat Burrell would be that guy in Tampa Bay, but the money doesn't match up and the Cubs would have to find a third team interested in Burrell. Lyle Overbay seems to fit that mold in Toronto, but the Cubs would ..."

If Byrd leaves, Rangers have options

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November 19

MLB.com

"The Rangers, faced with the real possibility of Marlon Byrd not coming back, will be look for a right-handed bat when the free agency bidding officially begins at 11:01 p.m. CT on Thursday night. That's when clubs lose exclusive rights to their own players and free agents are able to sign with any team. The Rangers had hopes of re-signing Byrd, but that doesn't appear likely at this point after general manager Jon Daniels met with Byrd's agent Sam Levinson in Chicago earlier this month. "We've had a decent amount of conversation," Daniels said. "I expect them to test the market. Based on what they're looking for ... we're not in a position to do that right now. We expect them to talk with ..."

Hicks hopes to maintain ownership of Texas Rangers

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November 19

Dallas Morning News

"Another bidder appeared on the scene for the controlling interest in the Texas Rangers. His name: Tom Hicks. Hicks, who has owned the club since 1998, expressed renewed optimism Wednesday that his own locally-based investment group would allow him to maintain his current status as majority owner. Hicks has been seeking minority investment in the club to help retire debt since late March, but over the course of the summer, it became more likely he would have to sell at least a majority of his interest in the team in order to service the debt. Hicks said he has found a significant number of local investors, including Cowboys Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, to back him. "I have ..."

Ryan, working partner formalizing bid for Texas Rangers

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November 18

Dallas Morning News

"As the contenders for the Rangers' ownership finalize their bids for control of the team, the working partnership between Pittsburgh sports attorney Chuck Greenberg and Rangers president Nolan Ryan appears to be more formal than ever. According to a source familiar with the duo's efforts, Greenberg and Ryan have worked more and more closely over the last month as they prepare their final bid. Those bids are due before Thanksgiving. They have met together with local investors, the source said. And they have received significant interest from local investors to the point the group could be called more local than national. Having investors with ties to the local community is always ..."

Texas Rangers' Andrus places second in AL Rookie of the Year voting

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November 17

Dallas Morning News

"Mike Hargrove's place in Rangers history is secure for at least another year.Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus finished second in the American League rookie of the year voting, keeping Hargrove as the only Rangers player to ever claim the honor. Hargrove won in 1974, and Andrus was the Rangers' best chance at ending that 35-year drought. But he finished second to Oakland reliever Andrew Bailey in the Baseball Writers' Association of America voting.Bailey finished with 88 points and 13 first-place votes. Andrus had 65 points and eight first-place votes. Detroit starter Rick Porcello finished third, one point behind Andrus.Andrus, at home in Venezuela, took the news in stride."I don't feel ..."

Texas Rangers SS Elvis Andrus places 2nd in Rookie of the Year voting

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November 17

Dallas Morning News

"Mike Hargrove's place in Rangers history is secure for at least another year. Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus finished second in the American League rookie of the year voting, keeping Hargrove as the only Rangers player to ever claim the honor. Hargrove won in 1974, and Andrus was the Rangers' best chance at ending that 35-year drought. But he finished second to Oakland reliever Andrew Bailey in the Baseball Writers' Association of America voting. Bailey finished with 88 points and 13 first-place votes. Andrus had 65 points and eight first-place votes. Detroit starter Rick Porcello finished third, one point behind Andrus. Andrus, at home in Venezuela, took the news in stride. "I don't ..."

Rangers SS Elvis Andrus finishes second to Oakland reliever in AL Rookie of the Year voting

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November 16

Dallas Morning News

"The wait goes on for the Rangers. Shortstop Elvis Andrus finished second to Oakland reliever in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, which was announced at 1 p.m. CST. Andrus received eight of the 28 first place votes and finished with 65 total points. Bailey had 13 first place votes and 88 total points. Detroit RHP Rick Porcello finished third with 64 total points and seven first-place votes. No Ranger has won the award since Mike Hargrove in 1974. The Rangers have gone longer than any other club in the majors since winning the award. Despite Andrus' impressive season, I wasn't expecting him to win, even though I voted him first, followed by Bailey and Porcello."

Texas Rangers' Hamilton says back is better and faith remains strong

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November 15

Dallas Morning News

"Josh Hamilton concedes that throwing batting practice is not one of his strong suits. "I can't throw it soft over the plate. I've got to throw it harder," said Hamilton, who plunked three batters while throwing BP at an instructional youth camp Saturday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. While a little rusty on the mound, Hamilton said the back injury that plagued him at the end of the season is better. A series of tests showed that no nerves are being pinched, and the Rangers center fielder has been cleared to begin off-season workouts Monday. Unlike last year when he trained in Arizona leading up to the season, Hamilton said he plans to work with Rangers strength and conditioning coach ..."

Texas Rangers' Elvis Andrus awaits word on Rookie of the Year honor

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November 14

Dallas Morning News

"Baseball's Festival of Awards begins this week with the AL Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and Manager of the Year all being announced over the next three days. Here's what that has traditionally meant in Texas: Absolutely nothing. Here's what it is probably going to mean this year: Elvis Andrus was robbed. While Rangers have won five MVP Awards since the club moved to Texas in 1972, awards on the other three fronts have been scarce. The Rangers have never had a Cy Young winner (given this team's pitching history, that kind of figures). They've had one Rookie of the Year, Mike Hargrove in 1974, and have gone longer than any other franchise in baseball without winning the award. They have ..."

Former Texas Rangers pitcher Wetteland taken to Denton hospital

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November 13

Dallas Morning News

"Former Texas Rangers pitcher John Wetteland was taken to a Denton hospital Thursday afternoon after police were called to his home over concerns about his mental health, Denton County sheriff's Sgt. Roger Griggs said. But Wetteland, now a pitching coach for the Seattle Mariners, attributed the police call to his elevated blood pressure and heart rate. "My wife and I are very appreciative of the over-and-above care of our local officers and paramedics," he said. "I am currently resting safely at home." Wetteland was taken to Denton Regional Medical Center after meeting authorities outside his Bartonville home and saying he "needed help," Griggs said. He showed no signs of physical ..."

Vizquel not returning to Rangers

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November 12

Foxsports.com

"Free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel will not be back with the Rangers, major-league sources say. Vizquel, 42, had 195 plate appearances last season, and is looking for the same type of utility role. He would prefer a higher-profile team, one source says."

Jim Hendry says Cubs now are in good position to make moves

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November 12

Chicago Tribune

"After talking to seven or eight teams about trade possibilities Wednesday, Jim Hendry felt optimistic about his offseason game plan. "It's kind of the way I anticipated," the Cubs general manager said upon leaving the GM meetings at the O'Hare Hilton. "You feel like there's some business that will be done in the next few weeks. Hopefully you can do something before you get to Indianapolis (for the Dec. 7-10 winter meetings). "We need a few moves. We don't need mega-moves. ... I had really good meetings. It was really a good environment after all." The Rangers' Marlon Byrd appears to be the Cubs' primary center field target, and sources said Hendry will be able to sign another outfielder ..."

Baseball GMs say perception of Texas Rangers is changing

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November 12

Dallas Morning News

"The phone still rings as often as it did in previous seasons when major league teams approached Rangers general manager Jon Daniels in the hopes of finding a deal that would make both clubs better. But now, the tone of the calls is different from what Daniels heard in '07 and '08. No longer are teams trying to pluck the Rangers' best players for a package of prospects. Now, teams are offering their best players in exchange for the Rangers' top minor leaguers. That change stands as one indication to Daniels that the Rangers' image has been overhauled from a team constantly rebuilding into one built for an extended run as contenders. "Let's put it this way, I'm not excited to play those ..."

Rangers and Cubs still talking about malcontent Milton

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November 11

SI.com

"The Rangers are the one team obviously pursuing Milton Bradley and they've been engaged in a negotiation with the Cubs regarding how much money would have to be sent to Texas to cover the $21 million remaining on malcontent Milton's contract. The cash-strapped Rangers, whose debt-ridden owner Tom Hicks is being forced to sell the team, could be willing to cover as much as $5 million over the two years left on Bradley's deal (they offered $8 million over one year for him to return last winter). But so far, the Cubs are holding out for more, perhaps shooting to recover as much as half the money left. If the Cubs are to recover that much money, they shouldn't expect to get it from the ..."

Byrd likely to be targeted by Cubs

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"Once the Cubs trade Milton Bradley, their plan is to find a center fielder and move Kosuke Fukudome back to right field. Free agent Marlon Byrd is certain to draw their interest. Rudy Jaramillo, the Cubs' new hitting coach, is a huge fan of Byrd's from their three seasons together with the Rangers, according to major-league sources. The Cubs also made a strong run at Byrd in trade discussions with Rangers before the 2008 season. Byrd, 32, is seeking a multi-year contract after batting .283 for the Rangers last season with a career-high 20 homers and 89 RBIs. Mike Cameron, 36, is another center fielder who could intrigue the Cubs. Cameron batted .250 with 24 homer and 70 RBIs for the ..."

Texas Rangers still an option for Milton Bradley

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November 11

Chicago Tribune

"The Cubs and Rangers continued talking Tuesday on a deal that would send Milton Bradley back to his former team, where he would be reunited with manager Ron Washington . Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed he was looking for a middle-of-the-order bat, but said any interest in Bradley "depends on the specifics of the deal." Still, major league sources say the Rangers are the best option for Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, a motivated seller who would like to get a deal done before the winter meetings begin Dec. 7 so he can go forward with his offseason plans. The Rangers originally offered Bradley a one-year, $6 million deal last winter to stay in Arlington. Staying with that ..."

Ownership issue puts Rangers in tough spot

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November 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"A baseball official has joked this week at the general managers' meetings that the No. 1 thing the Texas Rangers are trying to find this off-season is an owner. But seriously, folks, the Rangers want to find a middle-of-the-order bat, preferably a right-handed one, and some bullpen help. But, seriously, the sale of the club and the prospect of having a new owner in place this off-season might affect how effectively the Rangers are able to fill out their 2010 wish list. Final bids from three potential owners are due this month, but a transfer of ownership from Hicks Sports Group to Jim Crane, Dennis Gilbert or Chuck Greenberg might not be completed until January. Or later. However, Rangers ..."

Young says real key to Rangers' success is execution

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November 11

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Texas Rangers third baseman Michael Young spoke briefly Monday with new hitting coach Clint Hurdle. But whether it is Hurdle or Rudy Jaramillo who is the hitting coach for the Rangers doesn't really matter to Young. "For our team it comes down to execution," Young said. "I've heard a lot about a team-first approach. I don't necessarily buy that because I do think we had a team-first approach last year. That's all we think about is team. It comes down to executing better." Young and several Rangers were at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on Tuesday for a Sunshine Kids Play Day hosted by Ian Kinsler. About 50 children with cancer and their families were on hand for the event, which included ..."

Texas Rangers waiting for bids from potential owners

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November 11

Dallas Morning News

"Final bids from three men interested in buying the Rangers are due this month, but a transfer of ownership from Hicks Sports Group might not be competed until January. Or later. General manager Jon Daniels said Tuesday at the general managers meetings that the team will be conducting business as it has in the past. That means decisions on player acquisitions will continue to require the approval of Tom Hicks until the sale is completed. "Right now we're going to operate status quo," Daniels said. "Any time there's a change in leadership, there's a potential for some other change. But Tom is committed to our plan, and to the degree I've had dialogue with the three potential owners, they ..."

Halladay more likely to go than Gonzalez

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November 10

SI.com

"Baseball people seem to believe that of the two superstar players available in trade -- Roy Halladay and Adrian Gonzalez -- Halladay is more likely to be moved for a few important reasons, such as: 1) He's eligible for free agency after this year, whereas the Padres have Gonzalez for two more years. 2) He makes $16 million to only about $5 million for Gonzalez, who has $10.25 mil over two remaining. 3) He wants out of Toronto. In an especially weak free-agent starting-pitching market, Halladay, 31, would draw interest from several teams, and with a new GM in Toronto (Alex Anthopoulos replaced J.P. Ricciardi), the whole game could change. It isn't known how Padres GM Jed Hoyer or ..."

Cubs trying hard to trade Bradley

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November 10

SI.com

"The Cubs are trying hard to dump the perennially malcontented Milton Bradley here at the GM meetings, as it isn't just manager Lou Piniella who didn't connect with him in his season here. Apparently, several key members of the team -- including Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Zambrano -- barely speak to Bradley. "I don't think they dislike him. But Milton's a unique guy who doesn't fit in, like the oddball kid in class,'' one Cubs-connected person said. "He doesn't try to fit in. The other guys tried to take him in, but he's one of those kids that simply doesn't want to be part of anything,'' one Cubs person said. The Chicago Tribune reported that a Bradley blowup with now-deposed hitting coach ..."

Free-agent market thin at first base

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November 10

MLB.com

"Last year, the first-base class of free agents had a first-class front-runner in Mark Teixeira. This time around, it's more of a contender-by-committee situation, with talent available but no Type A headliner to pull in anything close to what Big Tex commanded on his joyride to the Bronx. Carlos Delgado was on the "A Team" a few years back, but after hip surgery and a down year in New York, he's Type B and a possible question mark in the areas of mobility and bat speed at the age of 37 (38 in late June). And speaking of question marks, Nick Johnson, another attractive free-agent option because of his high on-base percentage (career .402), just can't seem to stay healthy for a full ..."

Texas Rangers 'in no hurry' to whittle depth

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November 10

Dallas Morning News

"The biggest story line of the Rangers' 2009 season was a pitching revolution that saw the club spend more than a month in first place and remain in contention deep into September. As critical as Kevin Millwood and Scott Feldman were to the pitching success, the contributions of Dustin Nippert and Brandon McCarthy and others should not be discarded. The Rangers found quality depth in their starting rotation, and general manager Jon Daniels is in no rush to deal away the arms that helped pave the way to an 87-75 record. But on Monday, the first day of the annual general managers' meetings, Daniels said a trade will be the first avenue for a roster upgrade. A pitcher might be the key to ..."

Rangers have trade chips in pitchers

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November 9

MLB.com

"The Rangers may be in the unusual position of being able to trade starting pitching this offseason. The Rangers normally go into a winter looking for pitching, but the depth they have accumulated over the past three years could give general manager Jon Daniels some flexibility and something to talk about as he headed to the GM Meetings in Chicago on Monday. It comes down to whether the Rangers want to acquire help through free agency or trade. Free agency means not having to give up players, but it also means taking on payroll. That might be difficult in the Rangers' uncertain economic situation. A trade may be the more viable route, and the Rangers strongest area of depth is starting ..."

Rangers' Young still hungry for a title

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November 8

Dallas Morning News

"Even if he had been so inclined, Michael Young simply couldn't make himself watch the New York Yankees celebrate world championship No. 27 on Wednesday. As much as he wants to taste the postseason, wants to know what it looks and feels like, there are still higher priorities. Like getting sleep whenever you can with a four-week-old newborn in the house. So, no, he didn't see old friends Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez do the mid-field dogpile the three of them had talked about once as teammates. He didn't see Teixeira fumble over words to try and express what it felt like to win and didn't see Rodriguez impersonate Ric Flair with repeated yells of "whoo." While they were still ..."

Pudge, four others file for free agency

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November 6

MLB.com

"Catcher Ivan Rodriguez was one of five Rangers who filed for free agency on Thursday, the first day eligible players could file. Also filing were outfielders Hank Blalock and Marlon Byrd and pitchers Eddie Guardado and Joaquin Benoit. Guardado has talked about retiring. Rodriguez, who turns 38 on Nov. 30, has not. He has made it clear that he still wants to play for two or three more years. He has expressed an interest in returning to the Rangers but so far negotiations have been slow. "Pudge had a good return to our organization but we're still evaluating other options," general manager Jon Daniels said."

Hurdle hired as Rangers" hitting coach

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November 6

Denver Post

"With a passion for teaching baseball still in his blood, former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle will become the Texas Rangers" new hitting coach. Hurdle confirmed the move this morning. The Rangers will make an official announcement later today. Hurdle, who was fired by the Rockies on May 29 after the team started out a sluggish 18-28, beat out three other finalists for the job. The Rangers also interviewed Thad Bosley, Gerald Perry and Rusty Greer. Earlier this week, Hurdle talked about why he wanted to continue coaching baseball. "You still want to be a part of a team, to be a part of that process of building something," he said. "That's still something I want to do.""

Rangers' new hitting coach plans to listen

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November 6

Dallas Morning News

"The Rangers hired a hitting coach Thursday who definitely brings a creative approach to improving the offense. This is what Clint Hurdle plans to tell the players he knows about hitting: Nothing. Know what? It might just be the right first step for the man replacing the only major league hitting instructor almost every player on the team has ever known. Hurdle plans to go to the players and ask them to unload upon him what they know and what they think they know. "I want them to come clean with what they've learned," he said. "I want them to tell me where they are. What did they know when they came into the organization, and what do they know now. And from there we build a ..."

Rangers hire Hurdle as hitting coach

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November 6

Dallas Morning News

"Clint Hurdle might have been a man without a job, but he wasn't a man without options only six months removed from his job as manager of the Colorado Rockies. But he didn't want just any job. He wanted a challenge and a chance to win a world championship. Hurdle believes he has found that with the Texas Rangers. He was hired Thursday as their hitting coach, replacing longtime instructor Rudy Jaramillo. Hurdle, who signed a one-year deal with a club option, is eager to start building trust. "Change can bring controversy," said Hurdle, who was the Rockies' manager from 2002 until he was fired in May. "I'm going to try to make this as seamless a transition as can be." Team officials have ..."

Hurdle Joins Texas

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November 5

InsideTheRockies.com

"Clint Hurdle had ties in Texas. General manager John Daniels and his chief aid, Thad Levine, both worked in the Rockies front office before going to Texas, and Scott Servais, the director of player development, was a catcher in Colorado. The official release from the Rangers: Arlington, Texas – Texas Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels formally announced today that the club has named Clint Hurdle as the team's new hitting coach. The hiring fills the only vacancy on the Rangers' 2010 coaching staff. "Clint adds another experienced, successful coach to our major league staff," said Daniels. "He's demonstrated an ability to communicate, motivate, and emphasize a team-first offensive ..."

Sources have Clint Hurdle as next hitting coach for Texas Rangers

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November 4

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"A day of off-the-record confirmations and one for-the-record denial about who will become the Texas Rangers' hitting coach came to an end Tuesday with the club expected to add Clint Hurdle to the coaching staff later this week. Three sources said that Hurdle, the former Colorado Rockies manager, has emerged from a group of four finalists that included Thad Bosley, Gerald Perry and Rusty Greer. Each candidate interviewed Monday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. But Hurdle declined comment Tuesday night, and general manager Jon Daniels said the Rangers haven't settled on who will replace longtime hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo. The Rangers have not told any of the candidates that they have ..."

When Texas Rangers make new hire, don't expect an instant hit

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November 4

Dallas Morning News

columnist Kevin Sherrington

"In the summer of 1988, Bobby Witt threw nine consecutive complete games after a brief exile to the minor leagues, prompting speculation as to what brand of exorcism took place in Oklahoma City and whether the rest of the staff should be on the next bus up I-35. Ferguson Jenkins, Hall of Famer, earned most of the credit for Witt's revival. So much so, in fact, that it irritated Bobby Valentine. "What exactly did Fergie tell him," the Rangers' manager asked, "that we didn't?" Maybe it wasn't what Jenkins told Witt, I remember thinking, as much as who he was and how he said it. The vignette comes to mind as the Rangers prepare to hire a hitting coach for the first time in 15 years. ..."

Clint Hurdle a finalist for Rangers' hitting job

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October 30

Denver Post

columnist Troy E. Renck

"Watching words spill out of Ozzie Guillen's mouth on the Fox TV set down the left-field line brought back memories. Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was a lot of things to a lot of people - nobody was more charitable or gracious with his time in the community. Back to Thursday night, Hurdle, like Guillen, is a talker. Sometimes charming. Sometimes angry. Always offering an opinion. At his baseball core, however, Hurdle is a teacher. So it wasn't a surprise to learn that he's one of four finalists for the Texas Rangers' hitting instructor job. Hurdle has told people close to him that he wants back into coaching. And this could be an ideal landing spot. Fired after the Rockies stumbled ..."

Texas Rangers' search for hitting coach down to four

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October 30

Dallas Morning News

"Four candidates have been selected as finalists to replace Rudy Jaramillo as the Rangers' hitting coach, and one was his pupil for nine seasons. Rusty Greer, a Rangers Hall of Famer who worked with Jaramillo for nine seasons, made the final cut along with former big league hitting coaches Thad Bosley, Gerald Perry and Clint Hurdle. The Rangers will conduct interviews Monday and make a decision later in the week. They started the process of trimming from a longer list of names earlier this week. "We've had a chance to talk to a lot of good baseball people this week and heard a lot of good ideas," general manager Jon Daniels said. "I look at this as a rare chance to continue and, at the ..."

Texas Rangers put priority on search for hitting coach

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October 29

Dallas Morning News

"The Rangers are hoping to have a new hitting coach on the payroll by the end of next week, if their timetable for the interview process isn't disrupted. Team officials started calling potential candidates Monday, with the goal of trimming the list to four or five by Friday. Finalists would come to town early next week. General manager Jon Daniels and manager Ron Washington have been meeting this week at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and both will interview candidates next week. "There hasn't been a decision," Washington said. "Next week, we'll have it down to a workable group, and hopefully by the end of next week, we have a guy." The Rangers have contacted most of the candidates on ..."

Rangers talk to Greer about hitting instructor position

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October 28

Dallas Morning News

"If the Rangers are seeking advice on improving their approach at the plate, they certainly went to the right place to talk on the first day of casual interviews for a hitting instructor. They called Rusty Greer. Greer, who had a .301 career batting average in a decade with the Rangers, has the second-highest career on-base percentage as a Ranger at .388. Greer, who has spent the last two years working with hitters in the Texas Collegiate League and giving private hitting instruction, acknowledged talking with the Rangers about the job Tuesday, but declined to comment on the discussions. General manager Jon Daniels declined to comment on the interview process. The Rangers were expected ..."

Phillies would be good role models for Texas Rangers

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October 28

Dallas Morning News

"For much of the last decade, it's been kind of a tradition for Rangers officials to look at the surprising team in the playoffs and pronounce said club a model to follow. The reason: The model team had gone to the playoffs despite a low payroll. Oakland and Minnesota each did it five times during the decade. Colorado, Tampa Bay and Detroit, with surprising advances to the World Series, were prime examples. Those teams offered hope that despite a payroll in the bottom third of the league for the last half of the decade, the Rangers could reach the playoffs by hoarding homegrown talent and reducing expenses. Yes, you can reach the playoffs with a low payroll, but if the Rangers really ..."

Holland pitches in on recruiting trip

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October 21

Dallas Morning News

"The Rangers intensified their courtship of a young Japanese left-handed pitcher by sending one of their own young left-handers on a weekend recruiting trip across the Pacific Ocean. Derek Holland touched down at D/FW Airport on Tuesday morning after accompanying team personnel to Japan to sell Yusei Kikuchi on the Rangers organization. Holland, with front-office members Jim Colborn and A.J. Preller, made the Rangers' case to Kikuchi on Sunday. Kikuchi, 18, who has met with several other major league clubs, is contemplating whether to bypass the Nippon Professional Baseball draft for a chance to play in the major leagues. As for the Rangers' sales pitch: "Just how he would fit ..."

Cubs look to talk with ex-Texas Rangers coach Jaramillo

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October 17

Dallas Morning News

"The Chicago Cubs have asked for permission to speak to Rudy Jaramillo, the Rangers' hitting coach for the last 15 seasons. On Wednesday, Jaramillo declined the Rangers' one-year, $545,000 offer for next season."

Texas Rangers to begin meetings on sale

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October 16

Dallas Morning News

"Three sets of suitors will begin meetings with Texas Rangers front-office personnel next week to discuss the sale of the team, a source close to negotiations said Thursday. Reuters news service quoted unidentified sources as saying the goal is to have a winning bidder identified by late November. The site of the meetings was not disclosed, but they could be held in Arlington or Dallas. One source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said neither team owner Tom Hicks nor president Nolan Ryan would meet with the bidders. Instead, the three groups apparently would receive a presentation on Rangers operations from general manager Jon Daniels, team attorneys, accountants and other ..."

Rangers, Jaramillo part ways

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October 15

Dallas Morning News

"Rudy Jaramillo, the Rangers' hitting coach since 1995, told the club Wednesday that he wouldn't accept its one-year contract offer and plans to pursue an opportunity with another team. Jaramillo said the decision to leave wasn't about money, the length of the offer or changes the front office wants to see from the offense. He said that he simply wants to see what else the game has to offer. "I was hopeful and expecting that he would accept our offer," general manager Jon Daniels said. "But I understand that he has put himself ina position that everyone in the game hopes to achieve, where you've got options. "He's if not the best, certainly one of the best in the field." Jaramillo ..."

Cash-strapped Texas Rangers moving further from date with destiny

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October 15

Dallas Morning News

"Give the Texas Rangers credit. They possess the ability to make news during the playoffs even without participating in them. On Wednesday we learned that the organization is getting rid of Rudy Jaramillo but hanging onto some of your money. As for Jaramillo, the hitting instructor of the last 15 years chose not to accept a one-year deal. He will be scooped up long before Tom Hicks finds a true buyer that this franchise so desperately needs. I bring that up because I found out Wednesday that those who had enough faith in the team to buy playoff tickets have been told via e-mail that those refunds won't be coming until sometime in November, possibly not even early November because "the ..."

Hitting coach Jaramillo won't return to Rangers

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October 14

Dallas Morning News

"Dallas-raised Rudy Jaramillo, the Rangers hitting instructor for the last 15 seasons, has turned down the club's one-year contract offer and is preparing to explore the free agent market after his contract expires October 31. Jaramillo, who turned 59 on September 20, has been a player, coach or manager in the Rangers' organization for 26 of his 31 years in baseball. Rangers officials met with Jaramillo shortly after the season to extend the one-year offer but to also stipulate that the offense needed to improve. The Rangers ranked seventh in runs scored in the AL in 2009, but ranked 11th of 14 teams in batting average (.260) and 12th in on-base percentage (.320). There were concerns about ..."

Texas Rangers cut at least four veteran staffers

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October 14

Dallas Morning News

"Longtime clubhouse manager Zack Minasian and two top scouts are among the Rangers personnel who won't be returning next season. Minasian spent 22 seasons with the club, the final 16 as equipment manager and manager of the home clubhouse. His son, Calvin, a clubhouse assistant, also won't return. The club did not renew the contracts of Mel Didier and Jay Robertson. Didier, 83, spent seven seasons as a special adviser based in Arizona. Robertson was a special assistant to GM Jon Daniels."

Texas Rangers need to keep hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo

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October 10

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Every day, before every game, Rudy Jaramillo takes his perch behind the batting cage at The Ballpark in Arlington, stepping up on the trailer tongue to get a better view. From there, as batter after batter steps into the cage, Jaramillo reels off potential game situations for them to react to accordingly: "Runner at first, nobody out ..." Whack! "Runners at second and third, one out ..." Whack! "Runners at the corners, nobody out ..." Whack! Depending on the situation, the hitter will try to hit behind the runner at first, or drive a fly ball to the outfield to score the runner from third, or hit to right field, hoping to advance the runners from first and second. This is called ..."

Three finalists have money to make deal to buy Texas Rangers

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October 10

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"The biggest story of the off-season involving the Texas Rangers isn't whether Marlon Byrd will be re-signed or if Rudy Jaramillo will return as hitting coach. Topping the list is who will buy the franchise from Hicks Sports Group, and the number of bidders has been pared in half to three: Chuck Greenberg, Dennis Gilbert and Jim Crane. They have pulled together enough money — some say it will take $500 million to complete a deal — and are continuing their due diligence to see what exactly they would be getting into. Each saw the Rangers during the season and became familiar with the on-field product. Even though there is no timetable for the sale to be completed, here's a quick snapshot to ..."

Offense an off-season focus for Texas

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October 7

Dallas Morning News

"The identity of the Texas Rangers has changed, general manager Jon Daniels said at the team's annual season-ending news conference Tuesday, and the franchise once known for its big bats won in 2009 because of pitching and defense. The focus for the off-season will be shoring up an offense that was expected to produce at levels similar to the group that led baseball in runs and average in 2008. But the Rangers haven't decided who will oversee the improvements. Just as adding the right pitching coach proved to be the key off-season decision entering 2009, what to do with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo could shape 2010. Major changes to the coaching staff aren't expected, but neither Daniels, ..."

Playoff hopes drained away in stormy September

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October 5

Dallas Morning News

"Those conspiracy theorists out there who believe the Texas Rangers are a cursed franchise might actually be onto something. Because if you are looking for a reason to explain why 2009 became the 10th consecutive season devoid of playoff baseball in Arlington, looking toward the heavens might be a good place to start. And we're not talking about the Angels. How else to explain how one of the most durable players in baseball over the previous eight years could essentially tear his hamstring at the precise moment - Sept. 1 - the pennant race was to begin its final sprint? How else to explain how, just as the most important homestand in a decade was to open, a slew of biblical-style storms ..."

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