http://espn.go.com/minorlbk/story/_/id/14418322/double-frisco-roughriders-hold-runner-night-2016

Thought you might get a chuckle out of this...

LOL, yeah that's clever and funny. Just a way to get a nice looking young woman near their club house:)

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14426800/mlb-strange-true-feats-2015

• And how did this happen? The Twins got a triple from three hitters in the same inning of their June 14 game in Texas -- but scored only one run. (So how did that happen? Shane Robinson got picked off third by Robinson Chirinos after triple No. 2. That's how.)

Here's an article you might find interesting/amusing, along with an excerpt...

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/yankees/post/_/id/90877/yankees-add-aroldis-chapman-and-his-baggage-to-stacked-bronx-bullpen

Did you see the Yankees traded for Aroldis Chapman???

Looks like they are another team that realize "adequate" starting pitching is hard to come by and are making their pen deeper... Am curious as to how many pitchers they will have on the opening day roster???

Question remains about the number of games he will be suspended due to domestic violence (Guess I have to tone down my critique of the Cowboys signing Greg Hardy.) Currently he is arbitration eligible ,and a free agent after this season. BUT ,if he serves significant suspension time ,it extends the time the Yanks control his deal.

I don't think Cashman is finished dealing . He has already opened the door for a possible trade of Andrew Miller to fill other needs ,like a young top end starter (dare I think Jose Fernandez ? ) If not ,the combo of Chapman,Miller , Betances could anchor the best bull pen of all time.

I also think the Yanks may consider moving Ivan Nova to fill a need.

Cashmen is probably trying to figure out how to get rid of Aroid. Maybe the Dodgers:)

That would be nice. There are other players on the team that could use a semi- day off in the DH position .(Beltran ,Tex ) But we know he can't be moved . The Yanks would still have to eat a mouthful of his salary . He barely can handle the DH role so any NL team would be out of the question.

The only things positive to say about his time last year was that he emerged as an occasional threat in the middle of the line up ;and that he assumed a leadership role on the team. He had no big controversies ,and said all the right things .

The good thing for the Yanks is they can begin shedding the high salaries of players like Tex starting 2017 .

I also think the Yanks may consider moving Ivan Nova to fill a need.

If they do that then they would need 2 more starters vs just the one they could use now. Seems most teams need to have at least 8-9 starters in the system to have a chance at making it thru the season with injuries and all...

That would be nice. There are other players on the team that could use a semi- day off in the DH position .(Beltran ,Tex ) But we know he can't be moved . The Yanks would still have to eat a mouthful of his salary . He barely can handle the DH role so any NL team would be out of the question.

The Rangers just signed a versatile guy Justin Ruggiano (RHed batter)they plan to use as a platoon player in the OF. This is so Choo and Hamilton (LHed batters) have a few more days off during the season, and the team would have a better balanced lineup against the LHed pitching... IIRC they faced LHed starters about 70 times and had about a .500 record against them...

They also traded for a guy to do the same thing in the IF (if he can make the team out of Spring training) and that's Patrick Kivlehan. They're also hoping he can furnish some RHed power in the lineup. He can give Beltre, Fielder and Moreland days off when they need them...

I don't think playing a guy all 162 games is necessary or a good thing. They're just like us in that we need days off from work need that mental break, so do they. I would rather have them play 140-145 and be at the top of their game, than dragging ass late in the season when a playoff run may be needed, fading out altogether come playoff time, that's "IF" they make the playoffs...

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14439393/mlb-strange-true-postseason-feats-2015

Thought you guys might be interested in this...

Our rumors roundup continues with news on another prominent outfielder still on the market: ▪ Justin Upton: The Texas Rangers are interested in Upton, but only on a one-year contract, tweets Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Upton is still seeking a longer deal, but a one-year contract could be an option down the road if the market remains stalled. Upton is just 28 and coming off a sub-par year in San Diego (.251/.336/.445). He could add to his value with a big 2016 season and re-enter the weaker free-agent outfield market next winter.

Didn't know if you've seen this or not...

Knew the interest was there. But can they afford even a one year contract?

There are a lot of good OFers in the same predicament as he is, not enough teams available for all the big names available. And Upton is doing a Cruz wanting a mega long term deal. This will turn a lot of teams off because of his performance last year and he could go unsigned for quite a bit longer. Their payroll is down $11M from last year and I can see him getting antsy so I would say yes they could do it...

BTA I can also see them going after another RHed pitcher so no matter how you look at it they will have to spend some more money or make a trade or two...

But will they do anything before the season starts that's the biggest question mark, they may very well wait until the trade deadline...

http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/mlb/texas- rangers/article53378635.html

A little bit more information.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14549212/no-end-sight-justin-upton-free-agent-adventure

Now I can see why people aren't falling over themselves to offer Upton a contract, at least not one that he thinks should go with all the hype surrounding him...

Rangers pitchers and catchers report 19 Feb. Rest of the squad 24 Feb. Baseball 2016 just around the corner. :)

2 days before Daytona cool. That's usually the timeframe where the cold weather starts to break up here and you know Spring is just a few weeks away...

2 days before Daytona cool. That's usually the timeframe where the cold weather starts to break up here and you know Spring is just a few weeks away...

We really have not had much cold here in Central Texas this winter so far. I'm sure we will get a few days here and there near freezing but think we only had one day under 32F here at night.

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/01/13/rangers-monitor-workout-cricket-player-seeking-career-change?f=r

Thought you might find this interesting...

Now I know why I haven't seen Chris Sabo lately he's hiding out in Florida, lucky dog...

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/161749778/rangers-have-seven-file-for-salary-arbitration

Another minor update, will be interesting to see how much Moreland gets considering the year he had...

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/01/15/rangers-give-hefty-raise-chirinos

Another small update looks like they're going to give Scheppers another chance to get his act back together. If he can they will conceivably have the best and deepest pen in the majors, contrary to what all the talking heads are claiming...

You know I got to thinking about a RHed bat for the OF and found out something interesting, Profar has played some OF before... Hmmmmmm... (But this only works if his shoulder is sound)...

Remember that??? LOL...

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/01/25/rangers-consider-profar-outfield-needed

Guess we have to be more active on this thread now that Banny is back to work and needs our advice.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14691950/new-york-yankees-1b-greg-bird-suffers-shoulder-injury-miss-season

Have either of you seen this yet???

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14691950/new-york-yankees-1b-greg-bird-suffers-shoulder-injury-miss-season

yes a major blow to the Yank plans . "Bird could return by the end of the 2016 season, but that scenario would be very unlikely."

I would not even advise attempting it . He was not going to start at 1st base this year as long as Tex was healthy .

I doubt if they have anyone adequate in the minors who can fill in long term if Tex goes down. They were probably going to leave Bird in the minors this season until Tex inevidibly goes down. Headly can play 1st ....but he is locked in at 3rd. OF Dustin Ackley can fill in also . The Yanks need to make a move .

I doubt if they have anyone adequate in the minors who can fill in long term if Tex goes down. They were probably going to leave Bird in the minors this season until Tex inevidibly goes down. Headly can play 1st ....but he is locked in at 3rd. OF Dustin Ackley can fill in also . The Yanks need to make a move .

Well the Rangers have a solution. I think Elvis Andrus can play 1B if needed. Pick up his horrible contract and you have a deal! :)

Well the Rangers have a solution. I think Elvis Andrus can play 1B if needed. Pick up his horrible contract and you have a deal! :)

of course !! because the Yanks need another lousy contract on their payroll !!!

Well the Rangers have a solution. I think Elvis Andrus can play 1B if needed.

It would be nice if he played "left out"...

of course !! because the Yanks need another lousy contract on their payroll !!!

You know if they approached Ilitch he might go for taking on his contract, he's spending money left and right to try and win a WS before he kicks the bucket...

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/02/06/handicapping- texas-rangers-bullpen-locks-pitchers-worth-watching-long-shots

The line up looks solid and should keep Kela's arm from falling off.

The rotation is still a concern.

The rotation is still a concern.

Well it does look a little better than it did last year but yes it still does need some attention. I see they're kicking the tires in Lincecum and maybe Cliff Lee but that's about it.

I also see maybe a run at Gallardo at the beginning of the season if he's still available or another starter at the trade deadline with Evis as part of the deal... :)

LOL already looking for Evis deals. Me too!

Get rid of his contract and they could afford another good starting pitcher. They have 2 guys in the minors to fill that spot at a fraction of the price as you well know...

Get rid of his contract and they could afford another good starting pitcher. They have 2 guys in the minors to fill that spot at a fraction of the price as you well know...

Indeed a no brainer but our problem is no takers.

http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/165009806/

Way to keep him on ice for a few months.

Even though they have a really deep BP now it still may not be enough if a couple of the starters can't get the job done. They could be seriously overworked (like last year) and Scheppers could be a life saver if he regains his stuff. I'm pretty sure it was knee issues that screwed up last year for him so this should/could cure what ails him...

I'm pretty sure it was knee issues that screwed up last year for him so this should/could cure what ails him...

I still have Wandy's comment in the back of my mind. The one where he said he had issues with the Globe Life mound.

I still have Wandy's comment in the back of my mind. The one where he said he had issues with the Globe Life mound.

I've heard the same thing a few years ago from CJ I think it was, I'm curious as to what makes it so weird? Too hard, too steep a drop, not enough drop???

http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/texas-rangers/rangers/2016/03/14/rangers- trim-roster-surprises

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Texas Rangers removed five players from the major league spring-training roster on Monday. Outfielder Patrick Kivlehan, left-hander Yohander Mendez and right-handers Jose Leclerc, and Connor Sadzeck were optioned back to the minor-league camp. The club released non-roster right-hander Steve Johnson, the only member of the group with major league experience. Johnson never got going. In his last two appearances, he could not finish his inning and allowed eight runs in 1 1/3 innings.

http://www.onestrikeaway.com/index/2016/3/24/how-ian-desmond-could-give-josh- hamilton-playing-time

If they do this then who is going to leadoff? I can think of 3 different people as of this moment but would like to see one of those I'm thinking of stay in the 2nd slot...

Not a bad assessment though.