Star-Telegram.com: Texas Rangers

Michael Young wants a Texas Rangers owner committed to winning

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:56 CST

By ANTHONY ANDRO

ARLINGTON — On the same day baseball’s free-agency signing period began and proposals were due for potential Texas Rangers owners, the team’s most recognizable player talked about the direction he wants the Rangers to go.

An owner who’s committed to winning is all Michael Young wants.

"Whoever gets the team is doing it because they want to see this team win, otherwise they’re not going to get involved," said Young, who has been with the Rangers since 2000. "Whoever comes out and gets the team knows that we had a productive year last year and we’re getting better. So, hopefully, that owner can be the guy to push us forward, push to make us better."

There was no ownership push this season. Texas had the 22nd-highest Opening Day payroll in 2009, while the eventual division-winning Los Angeles Angels had the sixth highest.

While the Rangers didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline despite being in the playoff picture, the Angels were able to take on the payroll of left-handed starter Scott Kazmir.

The Angels are owned by Arte Moreno, and Young wouldn’t mind seeing the club’s next owner be someone with that type of spending philosophy.

"Without a doubt," said Young, who talked Rangers while taking in the Cowboys’ practice Friday at Cowboys Stadium. "You want to be in a situation where you’re getting better by any means possible. Three basic ways: development, trades, free agency. You want to have a team that’s committed to getting better by any means possible."

Young also realizes he has no control over who will be the team’s next owner.

Five groups were expected to turn in proposals by Friday, with current owner Tom Hicks leading one of those bids. Chuck Greenberg, Dennis Gilbert and Jim Crane are three of the others. Hicks said a mystery group also submitted a proposal.

"I have the luxury of being a player and I don’t have to look at the business aspect of it," Young said. "I look between the lines and those three hours, that’s my concern. If we can get the best players, the best winning players, I’m all for it."

Staff writer Jeff Caplan contributed to this report.

Tom Hicks trying to hang onto the Texas Rangers

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:43 CST

RANDY GALLOWAY

Not to stray far from that what-the-heck-happened storyline that carries over from Green Bay last week to Arlington on Sunday.

Or stray far from the Horned Frogs vs. The World storyline that has the national college football crowd suddenly focused on what Darrell Royal once described as University Drive cockroaches, and he meant it as a compliment.

But a few words, please, on the strange new twist of Tom Hicks vs. His Bankers.

Yes, the calendar tells us it’s all about Arlington’s new football team and Arlington’s new football yard, but also in Tarrant County, which is the heart of the fan base for Arlington’s baseball club, there’s now TCU football that’s all the rage.

Still, this is money time for the Texas Rangers. The financial bloodstream for a baseball team flows in the fall and winter. That means season tickets have to be peddled, which has been a failed process for most of this decade.

Coming off an unexpected 87-win season, and with new ownership on the horizon, the transfusion news has been very positive on renewals, particularly considering the Rangers are baseball’s most financially destitute club.

Then came the official, yet convoluted, word from Hicks on Wednesday. He wants to remain as majority owner.

At the ballpark, you would have thought a large sewer line just erupted.

Talking to several different employees Thursday, there was heavy depression noted.

"I work for Tom, I wanted Tom to be successful at this, but, frankly, we can’t sell Tom," said one. "Our fans, for the most part, will not buy Tom. And our former season-ticket holders, and we’d lost a lot of those because of Mr. Hicks, will not come back if Tom is still the owner."

That’s not news. Anyone in the media with an e-mail address can tell you that. We’ve heard enough of it over the years.

Hicks, as far as I can tell, is certainly not a hated boss by the baseball people who work for him. He’s just considered hopeless as an owner. Fans normally respond to the product on the field, and attendance did grow last season, but ...

"No one says it publicly, but there was disappointment that we didn’t draw better, based on how well the team played into September," said an employee. "Yes, attendance was up, but it was up from one of our worst years ever at the gate. The perception of the team, unfortunately, still has a lot to do with the perception of Mr. Hicks, including, of late, all the financial difficulty."

Once Hicks said last summer that he would sell his majority interest, then came renewed optimism. Three serious bidders surfaced, one of them including Nolan Ryan in the partnership. Ryan is still considered the Great Credibility Hope by most all who work at the ballpark, although there’s one small pocket of resistance to Nolan, which is another story.

Yet, word began to surface last week that Hicks was planning on reinventing himself, and he was wooing a heavyweight backer, and was now ready to make an offer to himself. (Figure that one out.) I e-mailed Tom this on Tuesday morning:

"Hearing at deadline this week (bids will be opened today) that you and the big boys at Fox (the TV network) are talking about a $250 mil buy-in by Fox as minority owner ... you would still hold majority interest ... would baseball approve that? Anything to it?"

Hicks’ immediate answer:

"Premature to speculate. Proposals are due Friday."

So Tom didn’t deny it. And believe me, he’s strongly and wrongly denied everything else I’ve hit him with since last summer, including the financial rescue of the team by Major League Baseball, the Matt Purke fiasco, etc.

Then Hicks followed with other e-mails, asking those be off the record.

Rangers announce 2010 spring training schedule

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:43 CST

By ANTHONY ANDRO

Fans will get their first chance to see the 2010 Texas Rangers on March 4 when the team opens the exhibition season against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise (Ariz.) Stadium.

The Rangers released their spring training schedule Thursday, and they will play 31 exhibition games.

All but two of those games will be in Arizona. The Rangers will leave Surprise after an April 1 game against Cincinnati.

They will play Kansas City on April 2 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington and will meet the Royals again the next day in Frisco.

Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report Feb. 18, with workouts beginning Feb. 19. Infielders and outfielders don’t have to be in camp until Feb. 23.

Full-squad workouts begin Feb. 24.

Texas will play 16 games at Surprise Stadium, highlighted by home dates against the Los Angeles Dodgers (March 20) and Chicago Cubs (March 24).

Exhibition season-ticket packages go on sale Dec. 1. For more information, go to www.surprisespringtraining.com or call 623-222-2222.

Young honored

For the fourth time in the past six seasons, Michael Young has been selected the Rangers’ Player of the Year by area members of the Baseball Writers’ Association.

Young also won the award in 2004, 2005 and 2007.

He finished the 2009 season hitting .322 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI in 135 games. In his first season at third base after moving from shortstop, Young made his first All-Star Game start.

Young’s average was fifth best in the American League and it marked a club-record sixth time that he’s hit at least .300.

Young will receive his award at the 2010 Rangers Mid-Winter Awards Banquet, which is scheduled Jan. 29 at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel.

Tickets for the banquet are available from www.texasrangers.com.

Two added to roster

Texas has added a pair of left-handed pitchers — Michael Kirkman and Zachary Phillips — to its 40-man roster.

Kirkman combined to go 9-8 with a 3.48 ERA in 26 games this year for Class A Bakersfield and Double A Frisco. Phillips also pitched for Bakersfield and Frisco, going a combined 2-3 with four saves and a 1.39 ERA in 36 games.

With those moves, the Rangers have 37 players on their 40-man roster.

2010 Texas Rangers spring training schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Time
Thursday, March 4	Kansas City Royals	Surprise Stadium	2:05 p.m.
Friday, March 5	Kansas City Royals	Surprise Stadium	2:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 6	Kansas City Royals	Surprise Stadium	2:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 7	Cleveland Indians	Goodyear	3:05 p.m.
Monday, March 8	Los Angeles Angels	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 9	Oakland A’s	Phoenix	3:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 10	Seattle Mariners	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 11	Colorado Rockies	Tucson	3:05 p.m.
Friday, March 12	San Diego Padres	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 13	Cleveland Indians	Goodyear	3:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 14	Arizona Diamondbacks (SS)	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers (SS)	Glendale	3:05 p.m.
Monday, March 15	San Francisco Giants	Surprise Stadium	8:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 16	Chicago Cubs	Mesa	3:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 17	Seattle Mariners	Peoria	9:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 18	Milwaukee Brewers	Surprise Stadium	8:05 p.m.
Friday, March 19	Cleveland Indians	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 20	Los Angeles Dodgers	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 21	San Diego Padres	Peoria	3:05 p.m.
Monday, March 22	San Francisco Giants	Scottsdale	3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 23	off day
Wednesday, March 24	Chicago Cubs	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 25	Los Angeles Angels	Tempe	3:05 p.m.
Friday, March 26	Oakland A’s	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 27	Milwaukee Brewers	Maryvale	3:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 28	Chicago White Sox	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Monday, March 29	Colorado Rockies	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 30	Arizona Diamondbacks	Tucson	3:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 31	Seattle Mariners	Surprise Stadium	3:05 p.m.
Thursday, April 1	Cincinnati Reds	Goodyear	3:05 p.m.
Friday, April 2	Kansas City Royals	Arlington	7:05 p.m.
Saturday, April 3	Kansas City Royals	Frisco	1:05 p.m.

SS-split squad

Hicks tries a magic act with Rangers

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:15 CST

GIL LeBRETON

DALLAS — With a Friday deadline for proposals fast approaching, Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks revealed Wednesday his plan to assemble a group of local investors.

The first two rabbits out of the hat: Roger Staubach and Nolan Ryan.

The third rabbit: Hicks himself, who apparently still would be in charge.

"This has never been about me selling the Rangers," Hicks said. "The question is how do we monetize the Texas Rangers in a way to pay down or eliminate the Hicks Sports Group’s debt."

Three groups previously announced plans to make formal bids for the club. They are headed by Chuck Greenberg, a Pittsburgh-based attorney and former minor league franchise owner; Houston businessman Jim Crane; and former sports agent Dennis Gilbert, a special advisor to the Chicago White Sox.

An unnamed fourth group entered the picture Wednesday morning, Hicks said. Hicks’ local-based group would be the fifth.

"I’m exploring my own group," Hicks said. "The key is I want it to be local. I have gotten commitments from Nolan Ryan and Roger Staubach that they would invest and be part of the group.

"We want to build support for the Texas Rangers in our market. Our plan is five years old, and it started this past year to be appreciated by the fans. We’ve still got miles to go, but the more local ownership the better for the Texas Rangers."

Few among the Rangers’ long-suffering following would deny that. A strong local ownership base is always an asset.

But if it is the Hicks group’s current cash bind that has put the franchise on uncertain financial footing, what makes Hicks think that Major League Baseball owners would vote to allow him to keep the team?

When I tried to clarify Wednesday just who would be recommending sale proposals to whom, Hicks answered directly, "I own the team. I’m the one selling it.

"There’s a process," Hicks said. "I’ve committed to MLB to this process, and I’m going to honor that.

"I want to see what their best proposals are."

Not to quibble over the legalese, but the Hicks Sports Group does own the team, and it will be the entity whose signatures will be on the sale papers.

But if the final say on the sale belongs to Hicks, why is he preparing to submit a proposal to himself?

All reasonable signs point to the sale of the Rangers being subject to the recommendations and approval of Major League Baseball — and, because of the multiple financial strings attached, to the approvals of the National Hockey League and the Hicks Sports Group’s 40 lenders.

The baseball lords have been dealing with the franchise’s shaky financial underpinnings for more than a year. The commissioner’s office has to be asking itself, who will be the best stewards of this baseball team going forward?

Which ownership group will be the most stable?

Which group has the best chance to hit the ground running?

I don’t have a vote in that election, but I don’t see how MLB could see Hicks — or his hastily formed local group — as the answer to any of those questions.

Expect Texas Rangers to be bit players in free agency

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:15 CST

By JEFF WILSON

The Hot Stove league, where players start swapping teams during baseball’s off-season, begins in earnest today as free agents begin negotiating with other clubs and signing contracts for the 2010 season.

Expect to read about the same, high-payroll teams signing the top free agents. And, once again, expect the Texas Rangers to be bit players in free agency.

For those who haven’t heard, the Rangers are for sale and expected to operate around the same $68 million payroll they had at the start of last season. With more dollars expected to be locked up in arbitration this winter than last, the Rangers don’t have much room to add payroll.

But they have needs. General manager Jon Daniels wants to upgrade the offense with a big bat in the middle of the order, preferably right-handed, and the bullpen is also an area that needs reinforcements.

The Rangers’ first route to acquiring players will be via a trade, so they will likely be late arrivals on the free-agent market. And when they decide to shop, they’ll be looking at the clearance rack.

"We’re going to explore trade opportunities first," Daniels said. "There are still ways to improve your club with the right fits."

Rangers’ needs

Right-handed power hitter: The Rangers’ lineup was heavy with left-handed hitters last season when Chris Davis, Hank Blalock and David Murphy were in the lineup at the same time — sometimes back-to-back-to-back. Dropping Ian Kinsler in the lineup helped break up the run of lefties, but a proven power hitter from the right side would give the left-handed-hitting Josh Hamilton some protection.

Bullpen arms: An area that every team addresses each off-season, the Rangers’ bullpen has only a few openings. One is the need for a left-hander to go with C.J. Wilson, and there’s a chance Matt Harrison could be the choice. He was clocked consistently from 94 to 97 mph in the fall. The Rangers will need an impact righty if, as is looking more likely, Neftali Feliz becomes a starter.

Corner infielder: For all the wild, empty swings Hank Blalock produced last season, consider how valuable he was in July as the replacement at first base after Chris Davis was shipped to Triple A. Davis had value with an ability to play third base after Michael Young was injured. The Rangers would like one player to back up the corners, especially with Omar Vizquel not expected back as the utility infielder.

Top free agents

Matt Holliday, OF: A career .318 hitter suggests Holliday is more than just a power hitter. But his .545 career slugging percentage suggests he has plenty of pop. He would be an upgrade in left field for the Yankees, who are mulling the decision to re-sign Johnny Damon. Make no mistake that Holliday will end up with a big-budget team.

John Lackey, SP: The Aledo resident is the top starting pitcher on the market, and when he takes the ball, he hates to give it up. Lackey’s agent reportedly has met with the Rangers, who just don’t have enough money. Lackey will command a big contract even though he has battled injuries the past two Aprils.

Chone Figgins, 3B: Another potential free-agent loss for the Angels, the speedy Figgins stirs up trouble from the leadoff spot. He was an All-Star for the first time in 2009, and had a career-high .395 on-base percentage. While Figgins doesn’t supply the pop most teams want from a third baseman, he creates runs in other ways and is a plus defender.

Jason Bay, OF: The left fielder hit 36 homers and drove in 119 runs for Boston in 2009, both career highs, and he helped carry the Red Sox in the first half. But his .267 batting average was 13 points below his career mark, and his arm is a liability in left field. Bay could land back in Boston if the Red Sox don’t sign Holliday.

Randy Wolf, SP: Coming off his best season since 2002, the left-hander could cash in. He’s at his best in a pitcher’s park, as he was last year with the Dodgers. So, Citi Field in New York could be his destination. One thing working against him is his age. While only 33, teams might not want to go beyond three years for Wolf.

Rangers’ possible agent targets

Jermaine Dye, OF/DH: Though nearing the end of his career, Dye still has nice pop from the right side. But his average, on-base percentage and on-base-plus-slugging percentage were down in 2009. He’s a Type A free agent, so the Rangers would lose two first-round picks if he’s signed.

Vladimir Guerrero, OF/DH: Another Type A free agent and another right-handed bat, Guerrero has a .394 career batting average at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. His numbers have declined while his injuries have increased the past two years, but his presence would boost the lineup.

Marlon Byrd, OF: The Rangers want more power than the career-high 20 homers and 89 RBI Byrd produced in 2009. There are other reasons to re-sign him, namely defense and leadership. Byrd has made no secret that he wants to return. But both will make the best business decision.

Ron Washington finishes fifth in AL Manager of the Year balloting

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:15 CST

By ANTHONY ANDRO

There will be no postseason awards for the Texas Rangers this year.

Two days after Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, the Rangers’ Ron Washington finished fifth in the AL Manager of the Year count.

The Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Scioscia won the award, with 15 of the 28 first-place votes and 106 points. Minnesota’s Ron Gardenhire finished second and the New York Yankees’ Joe Girardi was third.

Washington technically didn’t even finish second in the American League West voting. He tied with Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu with 15 points, but Wakamatsu had two first-place votes to Washington’s one.

Buck Showalter is the last Texas manager to win the award, earning it in 2004. Johnny Oates shared the honor with New York’s Joe Torre in 1996.

The Rangers won 87 games and finished second in the West for a second consecutive season. The Rangers remained in the playoff race until the season’s final month with a pitching rotation that included rookies Derek Holland and Tommy Hunter.

The 87 wins were the most by the Rangers since the 2004 team won 89 games. Texas spent two months in first place in the West, with its biggest lead being 5 1/2 games.

Washington was rewarded during the season as the team picked up his contract option for the 2010 season.

Elvis Andrus finishes second in AL Rookie of the Year balloting

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:26 CST

By ANTHONY ANDRO

Mike Hargrove’s place in Texas 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 the award 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 voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Bailey finished with 88 points and 13 first-place votes. Andrus had 65 points and eight first-place votes. Detroit starter Rick Porcello was third, one point behind Andrus.

Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan won the NL Rookie of the Year award in a close vote over Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ.

Andrus, who is in his native Venezuela, took the news in stride.

"I don’t feel disappointed," Andrus said. "It was a close race. Andrew Bailey is a great player. They decided to give it to him. I feel great. This year was amazing for me. I really appreciate just being in the race."

Andrus, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves as part of the Mark Teixeira trade, impressed the Rangers enough that they decided to move Gold Glover Michael Young from shortstop to third base in the off-season.

That allowed them to give the Opening Day job to Andrus, and he never looked back. Andrus, 21, batted ninth most of the season and hit .267. He led all AL rookies in hits, runs scored, triples, total bases and stolen bases.

He also played well at shortstop, making routine and spectacular plays. He made just 22 errors in 145 games. That was a huge improvement from his last year in the minors, where he made 32 errors in 109 games for Frisco.

While Andrus took the news well, his manager had issues with the voting.

"For him to finish second is an injustice," Ron Washington said. "I know Bailey did a great job, but he certainly didn’t do a whole lot to help his team win. Elvis played every day. He held our defense together. He got big hits. He did a lot of good things. I may be biased, but he deserved to win the rookie of the year."

The Rangers haven’t had a player finish higher than second since Hargrove. Jeff Zimmerman (1999) and Rusty Greer (1994) finished third.

Andrus gave a lot of credit for his success to Young and fellow Venezuelan Omar Vizquel, who were both there when Andrus had questions.

"The best thing for me this year was getting knowledge about the league," Andrus said. "It was my first year. Having all my teammates and Ron Washington trying to help me get in the league and feel comfortable helped. Next year I’ll try to help the team more and do the little things to try and get the team to the playoffs."

Andrus is doing what Washington and general manager Jon Daniels have instructed him to do: rest. He hasn’t played baseball since the season ended, but that will change in two weeks. He plans to play winter ball in Venezuela for a month and be ready for spring training in February.

Then he’ll try to build on what some voters thought was a rookie-of-the-year season.

Texas Rangers’ Hamilton still keeping the faith

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:01 CST

By JEFF WILSON

Josh Hamilton will be the first to admit that he’s no Clay Council, the batting-practice ace who threw to the Texas Rangers’ center fielder in the 2008 Home Run Derby.

And Hamilton isn’t likely to get any argument from the three batters he plunked while throwing BP at an instructional youth camp on a perfect November Saturday at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

"I can’t throw it soft over the plate," Hamilton said. "I’ve got to throw it harder."

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 he 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 Jose Vazquez. Hamilton said Vazquez knows the injuries he suffered last season and will put together a better regimen.

Not all of the 112 camp participants got to face Hamilton, but they all heard him speak about the things that are important to him on the baseball field and his faith.

His relationship with Jesus Christ has helped him following the death of his grandmother Nov. 7 after battling cancer. Hamilton arrived at Mary Holt’s door in October 2005 after a drug binge, and she took him in and got him started on the road to recovery.

"Everybody needs a Granny," he said. "Not just anybody can express the love she expressed to me. That’s what’s life is about. People are going to make mistakes, but you know what? It’s not going to be the last mistake they’re going to make."

What does the opportunity to host a youth baseball camp mean to you?

It reminds me of when I was the age of the kids. It’s good for them to be out here learning these skills and learning them the right way. Most of all, I’m going to talk about character and what it takes to be a good team. And a relationship with Christ. I’m going to tell them about that and who I am and what he’s done in my life. I’m going to let them know that they’ve got a friend with them at all times if they know Christ. That’s the goal today.

Your grandmother was the one who helped you start to turn your life around. What will you remember most about her?

The pastor who did the service asked, "What are a couple words to describe Granny?" I just said, "Relentless love." Even though I might not have been doing what I needed to do, she never stopped loving me. Another one was, "encouragement." She always encouraged me and said good things to me to let me know that I was a better person than I was being. Those are two things that were instrumental in me finally seeing the light.

You’ve had a chance to reflect on last season. What have you taken away from it?

The only thing I can take away from it is it didn’t go the way I wanted it to go. The team did great. But next season starts right now. Ultimately, I can’t take my eyes off the Lord. Just keep praying about what happened and the lessons to learn from it and apply those to next year. Maybe be a little smarter in the outfielder and try not to hit the wall running full speed.

How is your back?

It’s good. I’m going to start working out Monday. I had a scan done where they inject dye into your spine, and they said it looked good and there’s nothing new that is causing problems. Most of the things I’m feeling now are muscular, stiffness and soreness. I don’t expect it to plague me or bother me.

If big money is involved in Hot Stove deals, Texas Rangers won’t be

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:01 CST

Jeff Wilson

Depending on the numerous Web site or TV reports generated last week at the general managers’ meetings, the Texas Rangers could sign free agent John Lackey.

Maybe, reports say, the Rangers will deal Kevin Millwood for Milton Bradley. With Toronto ready to dump Roy Halladay, the Rangers could be the team that lands the former Cy Young winner.

Those reports can be fun to read, and speculating on a pivotal off-season move helps the off-season pass by a little quicker.

But apply a dose of reality. The Rangers might be approached about a deal, and general manager Jon Daniels and crew might actually consider how to make something happen.

In most cases, though, any contemplation this off-season will end quickly. The Rangers just don’t have enough money to add a player like Lackey, Halladay or Bradley.

Lackey, an Aledo resident, is the top starting pitcher available on the free-agent market and will command eight figures. Halladay would cost the Rangers a chunk of young talent and another chunk — $15.75 million for this season.

The notion of bringing back Bradley is a little more feasible, but only if his current team eats most of the salary. But the Chicago Cubs don’t seem willing to do that.

Even if they did, though, there’s some thought within the Rangers’ organization that Bradley wouldn’t be welcomed back with open arms. Team personnel like how Bradley played the first half of 2008, during which he blossomed into an All-Star.

But comments he made in March — when he admitted to not playing certain days to protect his stats — were heard loud and clear by the Rangers. And they weren’t exactly thrilled.

Ultimately, it comes back to money, and the Rangers aren’t in a position to add Bradley for anything more than $5 million a year. If that.

No solution to the money woes will be had this off-season. The club is for sale, and a new owner’s wallet won’t be in place this winter, even though the window to submit final bids opens Friday.

The Rangers aren’t completely handcuffed. They will be smart shoppers this winter, as they’ve been the past few years. Any addition will be a player who can be signed for an incentives-rich deal with a low base salary.

Vladimir Guerrero could very well fall into that category. So could Jermaine Dye. Both would fill the Rangers’ No. 1 off-season need for a middle-of-the-order presence from the right side.

Those names could fall on the Rangers’ front burner of the Hot Stove league. So could Marlon Byrd, who enjoyed a career year for the Rangers in 2009.

All of them will test the market, and even though manager Ron Washington loves Dye and Byrd loves the Rangers and Guerrero thrives at Rangers Ballpark, there are no guarantees that any of the three will end up in Arlington in 2010.

But keep reading about the Hot Stove league. Please. Newspapers need the support.

Be wary, though, of the names linked to the Rangers. It all comes back to money, and the Rangers don’t have all that much to throw around.

Texas Rangers gaining ground, respect

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:41 CST

By JEFF WILSON

CHICAGO — The phone still rings as often it did in previous seasons as other major-league teams approach Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels in the hopes of finding a deal that will make both clubs better.

But the tone of the calls is different now from what Daniels heard in 2007 and 2008.

No longer are all the other teams trying to pluck the Rangers’ best players for a package of prospects. Now, teams are offering their top players in exchange for top minor-leaguers.

That change stands as just one indication to Daniels that the Rangers’ image has been overhauled from a team rebuilding into a team built for an extended stay among the league’s best.

And other American League teams, including the two who competed in the league championship series, have changed how they view the Rangers.

"Let’s put it this way: I’m not excited to play those guys," said Brian Cashman, general manager of the world champion New York Yankees. "They have a great deal of talent, and they can send you reeling as you try to get through their lineup.

"They’re a team that has an opportunity to really make some noise as early as 2010."

As another round of GM meetings ended meekly Wednesday with plenty of speculation but without a major trade, Daniels is trying to add pieces this off-season that will help the Rangers take the next step by winning a division title — or at the very least not taking a step back.

Next season has been the target of club brass for the Rangers to arrive as contenders, but Daniels stopped short of saying they are already there. Consecutive second-place finishes are nice but not what the Rangers ultimately want to achieve.

"On a very basic level, we’ve been able to change our perception from an all-or-nothing offensive club to a team that is going to be very balanced," Daniels said. "I think also internally there’s a lot of pride with what’s going on. Rather than piece-mealing it on a year-in year-out basis, there’s a long-term sustainable plan in place."

The AL West, which had three teams finish above .500, doesn’t figure to be any less competitive going forward.

Los Angeles, which won a third straight West crown and reached the ALCS, runs the risk of losing four key players to free agency. The Angels, though, have never been afraid to spend money on the free-agent market.

Seattle finished a game behind the Rangers and has money to spend to plug some of its holes, especially ones in the rotation behind Felix Hernandez and at third base.

The lone sub-.500 team, Oakland, gave the Rangers fits in 2009 and once again has loaded up with young talent.

Angels GM Tony Reagins has watched the Rangers’ build-from-within approach produce a team that led the division for six weeks and won the season series with the Angels in 2009.

"They’re building from within and play a good brand of baseball," Reagins said. "We think they’re going to be competitive and put pressure on us for years to come."

The Rangers’ image with other clubs, though, isn’t everything. They believe they aren’t a finished product and won’t be until they contend for the postseason on a regular basis.

"The bottom line is we had a nice season, but we haven’t won anything," Daniels said. "There are a lot of examples of clubs who have made big strides, but haven’t been able to make the next step. That next step is our goal."

Briefly

Omar Vizquel, the Rangers’ utility infielder in 2009, isn’t likely to return, Jon Daniels said. The Rangers had been interested in bringing back the 11-time Gold Glove winner, who made $1 million last season. Vizquel will turn 43 in 2010.