Matt Flynn signs a 3-year, $26 million deal with the Seahawks, with $10 million guaranteed: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7706316/2012-nfl-free-agency-seattle-seahawks-matt-flynn-reach-26m-deal-source-says.

This really puts the Dolphins in a hole, and could potentially lead to them offering Alex Smith a gigantic contract (compared to what they might have offered otherwise) and possibly lead Manning to sign with SF (or at least push SF to offer near or more than $100 million).

All things considered, this probably isn't good news for the Broncos on the Manning front.

As the deadline looms, and the Rangers evidently have a few options they're pursuing for relief help, let's use this thread for any/all trade deadline discussion until something happens. A rumor or two from this morning below:

From MLBTR (11:19 AM):

The Rangers are pursuing White Sox reliever Matt Thornton, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, and the Sox want starter Derek Holland in return.  He adds that the Rangers would only move Holland for Thornton if the White Sox expanded the deal to include a starter such as John Danks.  That'd make for an interesting story, with Sox GM Kenny Williams having stolen Danks from the Rangers in '06 for Brandon McCarthy.

Holland, a 24-year-old southpaw, is under team control through 2015.  Danks, meanwhile, is a free agent after the 2012 season.  Thornton will be signed through '14 if his club option is exercised.

Additionally, we all know more or less where we're at with Bell/Adams. Nothing new as of this morning (since Jamey's morning Trot Coffey, etc.)

Hey guys, sorry to take up FP space with fantasy baseball stuff, but I don't know where else to turn to find guys who may want to play in a league.

Octoberty and JJStuart: you guys still need to select keepers if you intend to play again, or leave the league if not so I can find replacements - would love to have you guys back this year though.

The draft will be next Tuesday (March 15th) at 8:45 PM, and we do a $15 league entry fee that will get distributed among the top 3 positions - there are two teams that I have open currently, with the potential for up to four.

Let me know if you're interested, provide an e-mail, and I'll get you all the details, or e-mail me at utlonghorn24@gmail and tell me you're interested. Thanks!

Just saw this on the post-game show from the Clemson/USF game, but ESPN is reporting that Charlie Weis will leave the Kansas City Chiefs as their offensive coordinator to take the same position under Will Muschamp at Florida.

If true... I'm baffled.  Why would you leave the NFL as a coordinator to become anything other than a head coach in college again, even at a high-profile program like Florida?  What does everyone else think?  This was definitely something I'm sure most (if not all) of us had no clue was coming...

The ESPN link to the story as of 2:30 PM (CT): http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5974715

UPDATE 1/1/11: Weis to Florida will be official on Monday - http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5979522

Via Jon Heyman's Twitter account (via T.R. Sullivan), the word is that Matt Treanor will return to his role as backup C with the Rangers in 2011:

@SI_JonHeyman - "backup catcher matt treanor going back to rangers, reports @Sullivan_Ranger. gm jon daniels thinks treanor's managerial material"

Haven't seen any links thus far from the Rangers or anyone else, but evidently he's returning.  Please post links as they come up and feel free to discuss.  I think we can all largely agree that this is a decent move to solidify the catching depth for next season, and to keep Teagarden away from Arlington (hopefully).

I got selected to buy World Series tickets tomorrow for the presale, and I wanted to start a thread for those who might be going to post info that would be helpful for the rest of us to know (i.e. what season ticket holders have encountered thus far in buying their tickets... prices, seating availability, etc.).  Feel free to post what seats you get for specific games as well - maybe some of us will end up sitting around one another.

Hopefully the Rangers can make it to the Fall Classic and we can see each other at the ballpark for a few more games this year!  Thanks in advance for any good info you can provide!

Ok, so I had a crazy idea.  The Rangers are offering a deal on 16-game mini plans for home games throughout the 2010 season.  They offer several perks, the biggest two of which are that the tickets come at a discount, and the other being that you get priority for playoff ticket strips.

If you buy these at two or more seats at a time, you get a massive discount.  I was looking at buying a plan and I'd like the massive discount, so I thought I'd see if anyone on LSB would want to go in on one with me.  This may work well for others who might like to do the same thing.  If you do, let me know and perhaps we could work something out to where we get seats and get the huge price discount, as well as the perk of having the first crack at playoff tickets (hopefully) once the time comes.

For more info: http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/tex/ticketing/mini_plans.jsp#sweet16

Hey everyone, I created a roto keeper league that has 10 spots (and it's free), and only myself and 3 of my friends wanted to join up.  So I have 6 available spots if any of you are interested in joining.  It's on ESPN, so if you do please post below and give me an e-mail address at which I can send you an invite.

Positions used:

Offense - C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, OF (x3), Util
Pitchers - P (x9)
Other - 3 Bench, 2 DL

Stats used:

Offense -

Other items of interest:

- 3 keepers per year
- Trade deadline: August 13th
- No undroppable list

Draft info:
- March 7th, 2010 (Sunday)
- 4:00 PM (Eastern) = 3:00 PM (Central) 

I wanted to initiate some discussion among the college football fans on this blog regarding tomorrow night's game between Texas and Alabama for the BCS National Championship.

My personal thought is that it will be a close, extremely defensive contest, in which turnovers and special teams will likely play the two biggest factors in determining the winner.  Alabama has, of course, been the heavy favorite throughout the last month, but I think Texas will be significantly better than anyone expects, even if they don't win the game.  If I've got a gun to my head, I say Texas pulls the upset and wins, but hey, I'm a Texas fan.

What do you guys think?  Who wins tomorrow and why?  Feel free to post predictions and anything else you feel compelled to discuss.

As for my own prediction?  Texas 16, Alabama 13.  Hook 'Em.  \m/

Per Jamey:

According to another local report, Texas is working on a deal with Boston that would send catcher Max Ramirez to the Red Sox for Mike Lowell (and presumably a meaningful amount of cash), giving the Rangers the right-handed bat they've been seeking this off-season.

What do you guys think?  Personally, I'm not a big Lowell fan, but if it gives us a better lineup, I guess...  But for Max?  I dunno...

Another question: How much cash would Boston have to kick in for this trade to become viable for the Rangers?

This Texas team is not the 2005 version of the National Champion Texas Longhorns.

Plain and simple, this team is not the one that defied all odds and won the National Title with the greatest college QB of all time (opinion injected, obviously).

Let's look at the 2009 Texas Longhorns for what they are: the 2009 Texas Longhorns.  The '09 version doesn't have the explosive offensive capabilities that came with having Vince Young, Jamaal Charles, Ramonce Taylor, Limas Sweed and Co.  This year does, however, have arguably the best defense Texas has ever seen.  Perhaps a better overall special teams.  And a better overall coaching staff.

But here's the problem: It seems that we as a collective group of Texas fans seem to think that because we're going back to the Rose Bowl that we're automatically going to repeat and overcome the same underdog mentality that the '05 team overcame against a tough opponent.  Just because they did it doesn't mean that Colt, Shipley & Co. will.

So let's be objective here.  Let's look at this season, this team, this year's opponent, and not the 2005 versions.  Let's focus on the 2010 National Championship Game on January 7, 2010.  Not January 4, 2006.

Here's to rolling the Tide and bringing another Crystal Ball back to Austin with a new group of champions.  Hook 'Em.

Okay, so it's getting close to the date when playoff tickets will go on sale (Sept. 12th at 9:00 AM for the general public, Sept. 10th at 9:00 AM for Inside Pitch subscribers), and I have no idea how this process works.  Do the Rangers sell tickets for games 1/3 and 2/4, or do they only offer 1, 2, 3, and 4 separately and we have to choose?  Just wondering if any of you can provide insight on how this works and maybe help some of us, like myself, who don't really know what to do here.

Some links to check out if you're considering buying tickets and aren't a season ticket or mini-plan holder:

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/mlb/schedule/ps.jsp?y=09&c_id=tex

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090902&content_id=6755022&vkey=pr_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

Prices for seats are as follows:

Lexus Club Infield; Lower Infield; Lexus Club Box......$100.00

Lower Box; Corner Box......$75.00

Lexus Club Terrace; Lower Reserved......$60.00

All You Can Eat Porch......$45.00

Upper Box; Upper Reserved; Bleachers; Grandstand Reserved......$30.00

Standing Room......$25.00

One other thing: I talked to the ticket office, and they said if you do make any sort of purchase for single-game playoff tickets and the Rangers happen to not make the postseason, you can send in a refund request, or you can apply them to future seats (I assume for next season).

Now here's to hoping we make it into the playoffs and this is a worthwhile discussion.

I'm moving to Colorado for the summer for an internship, and will thus be out of the Metroplex until mid-August, and consequently without Rangers game feeds until said time.  I've thought about getting MLB.TV to be able to watch Rangers games while in Colorado, and was wondering what suggestions or opinions y'all might have of its use and functionality.  Would you recommend the basic or the premium?  Would you recommend it at all?  What things do I need to know about it going in before using it?  Any help or advice that can be offered would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Just saw this today since the All-Star game ballots were released earlier this afternoon (http://vote.mlb.com/), but the Rangers are offering the same deals they did last summer.

Per www.texasrangers.com:

Vote online and select the Texas Rangers as a "favorite" or "other favorite" Club the maximum 25 times between Wed., April 22 and Thu., July 2 and receive two (2) free tickets to one (1) select Texas Rangers home game of your choice in sections regularly priced up to $25.

Vote online and select the Texas Rangers as a "favorite" or "other favorite" Club anytime between Wed., April 22 and Thu., July 2 and receive a 50% OFF discount offer for tickets in locations valued up to $33 to one (1) Sunday - Thursday Rangers home game in August and September (excluding Aug. 16 & Sept. 27 and in Grandstand Reserved locations).

Online voting ends July 2, 2009 at 10:59 p.m. CT, so get your ballots in today! Look for your discount ticket offer via e-mail the week of July 20, 2009. See Terms and Conditions for rules and restrictions. Offer subject to availability.

The only change from last year's offer to this year's is that there are only seven games that you can choose to attend with the free tickets.  Those are:

Twins vs. Rangers - Mon., Aug. 17 - 7:05 p.m., Tue., Aug. 18 - 7:05 p.m., Thur., Aug. 20 - 7:05 p.m.

Blue Jays vs. Rangers - Tue., Sept. 1 - 7:05 p.m., Wed., Sept. 2 - 7:05 p.m.

A's vs. Rangers - Mon., Sept. 14 - 7:05 p.m., Tue., Sept. 15 - 7:05 p.m.

So, it's finally Opening Day boys and girls.  I, for one, am headed out to the ballpark shortly.  However, I figured this might be a good place for some chatter this morning before the game for everyone who would like to join in.  Think of it as a Pre-Gameday Thread, if you will.  I'm absolutely psyched about the game today, and there is nowhere to talk, so here ya go!

I know the lineups were posted last night, but I'll link them again for those who missed seeing them:

Opening Day Lineups

Happy Opening Day Rangers fans!  And for those of you who are going out to the ballpark, two things: (1) Take a jacket, it is cold.  (2) Do NOT boo the former President.  That's just mean.  (And plus he used to own part of the team, kinda makes it a double whammy if we boo.  No booing.)

Ok, so I was just kinda wondering... where is everyone sitting on Opening Day?  For those of you who are going anyway... maybe some of us are sitting next to each other and can hang out and talk baseball or something.  I know baseballifmyboyfriend and several of you are sitting together in some pretty good seats, and I was just kinda wondering where everyone else had gotten tickets for.  Look forward to maybe meeting some of you at the game!

Link

Seven Rangers make the list (unless, of course, I missed someone):

Neftali Feliz at #10, Justin Smoak at #23, Derek Holland at #31, Elvis Andrus at #37, Taylor Teagarden at #73, Max Ramirez at #84, and Martin Perez at #86.

This seems pretty promising for the top rated farm system in all of MLB.  I, for one, am pretty excited to see some of these guys mentioned among names that I've heard a lot about among the rest of baseball for a couple of years now.

What do you guys think of the rankings?

Link

The article is for Insiders (boo), but everything that can be read about the Rangers should be shown.

Just more proof from the outside world that the Rangers do indeed have the best farm system in baseball.

Law cites the Rangers' ability to integrate their international scouting with the rest of their baseball operations, as well as mentioning the effectiveness and importance of A.J. Preller and Don Welke in the process.

I'd have to agree with him on pretty much everything he says here (which is rare), but he seems to hit the nail on the head regarding our strengths on the farm and within the organization itself.

Just came across this on ESPN.com, but it appears that DeMarco Murray will have surgery to repair a partial rupture on his left hamstring tendon.  Semi-big blow to the OU machine for the title tilt, but they do have good fallback options.

How do you guys think that Murray's absence will affect the outcome of the game, if at all?  I personally don't see it as a huge deal, but you never know I suppose...

Nevertheless, Hook 'Em Gators... and OU still sucks.

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/bowls08/news/story?id=3772990

Just caught this on ESPN.com, but it appears George has handed over the reigns to Hal.  Interesting bit of news I guess, as we all knew this day was coming, but it feels weird to me for it to finally be here.  A small excerpt from the article is below.

Link

Major League Baseball owners approved the shift of control of the New York Yankees from George Steinbrenner to his son, Hal, on Thursday.

Pretty exciting news for UT fans as Muschamp agrees to stay at Texas and eventually become the next head coach.

Per MackBrown-TexasFootball.com:

The University of Texas has struck an agreement with Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp that will keep him in Austin and eventually lead him to the head coaching position for the Longhorns, Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds said on Tuesday. Details of the contract are still being finalized but it will start with Muschamp's salary being raised to $900,000 on January 1, 2009.

Just got this off of ESPN.com, but Kevin Gregg is headed to the Cubbies.  The only listed return is 22-yr. old.  RHP Jose Ceda.  No idea on who Ceda is.

Link:  http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3700730.

What does everyone think about the trade?  Sad to not get him, glad not to get him, etc.?  And I don't quite have 75 words yet, but this sentence ought to take care of that problem.