Saturday morning Rangers things

Adam J. Morris — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:49:08 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

5 months ago: Baseball fans look on at a fire works show following a baseball game between the San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers at the Texas Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas, Friday, June 26, 2009. The Rangers won 12-2. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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I like games like that. And it seems like it has been forever since we've had one.

Jeff Wilson says Kevin Millwood was unhappy with how he pitched, but the explosion by the bats meant Millwood's struggles didn't matter.

Jeff (the writer) Miller says that Millwood had flown back the day before and watched the 12 inning late-night game against the D-Backs on TV, so he was rested and ready for his start.

Willie Eyre's activation meant that someone had to be dropped from the 40 man roster, and it ended up being German Duran, who has been put on release waivers. However, if he clears waivers, both Duran and the Rangers want him to stay with the organization, and since he's on the minor league disabled list, if someone claims him, he has to go on the major league disabled list, so it appears likely he'll clear and sign a minor league deal with Texas.

Kevin Sherrington says that there have been no stars for the Rangers this season, just a bunch of role players. Sherrington dismisses Ian Kinsler as having had one hot month and being irrelevant since, but he's got an 883 OPS while playing great defense at second base, which makes him one of the 5 or 10 best players in the A.L. this season, I think. It makes me wonder if we aren't starting to take Kinsler for granted.

New Year's Eve things

Adam J. Morris — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:49:50 -0000

We end the year with some actual Rangers stuff in the news today...

Anthony Andro writes about the work German Duran has put in at third base, trying to learn the position to enhance his chances of making the team this spring. He seems to have the edge in breaking camp as the infield utility man, but if he can show he's solid defensively at third base, I think he would probably be a better starting option than Travis Metcalf, who is (by default, it seems) the likely 2009 Ranger third baseman.

Gil LeBreton has a "Here's what will happen in sports in 2009" column that walks through month by month the year to come, and includes some optimistic predictions regarding the Rangers...

The Cubs' moving of Jason Marquis is apparently a pre-cursor to signing Milton Bradley. That would put Kosuke Fukudome in centerfield, and Milton in right, I suppose, with Alfonso Soriano in left. That would also relegate Felix Pie to a bench role, although with Bradley's injury history, and the fact that Fukudome isn't really a true centerfielder, you have to figure the Cubs are going to want a strong 4th outfielder coming off the bench.

And I missed this yesterday (although zywica linked it in the comments), so if you haven't seen it, Jeff Passan looks at the Rangers' offseason and direction over at Yahoo Sports...

SB Nation - German Duran

Saturday morning Rangers things

New Year's Eve things