Foul Territory

Banquet leftovers

Just about every Ranger was on hand for Friday's Sluggers of the West Awards Dinner and Marlon Byrd was the center of attention. It's been a busy off-season for Byrd. His son Marlon Jr. was born Dec. 21 and Marlon is quick to point out that he handles diaper duties. He's also heard the trade rumors that have him going to the Chicago Cubs. Byrd said he understands the business of the game but he hopes to remain a Ranger. Texas general manager Jon Daniels made it a point to track down Byrd before the event.

Other sights from the event include:

Joaquin Benoit isn't going to camp to win the closer's job although he'd welcome the chance. He's trying to improve on a 2007 season that saw him win the Rangers pitcher of the year award. "I'm going just to do my job. As long as I get my three outs every single time they give me the ball, I'll be fine. I have the same idea I had last year."

Hank Blalock feels like his shoulder is 100 percent and expects to resume his third-base duties once spring training begins.

Kevin Millwood looks lighter after spending the off-season in kickboxing classes. "Nobody can say I wasn't in shape or I didn't do anything in the off-season. If I stink, I stink but it's not going to be because I'm not in shape," joked Millwood. He also picked Clint Bowyer to win the upcoming Daytona 500.

- Anthony Andro

Jennings added to 40-man roster

The Rangers have added right-handed pitcher Jason Jennings to the 40-man roster. To make room, they designated right-handed pitcher Armando Galarraga for assignment.

Galarraga, 26, was 9-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 23 games last season with Double-A Frisco. He was acquired by the Rangers in the December 2005 deal that sent Alfonso Soriano to Washington. The Rangers also got outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge.

Fan Fest schedule

The Rangers have announced the autograph and appearance schedule for Saturday's Fan Fest at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Diamond Club, Line A                                                         
10 a.m. Michael Young                                                      
11 a.m. Josh Hamilton, AJ Murray                                    
Noon Ben Broussard, Brandon McCarthy                              
1 p.m. Ian Kinsler                                                            
2 p.m. Luis Mendoza, Jarrod Saltalamacchia      
3 p.m. Kevin Millwood
4 p.m. Kason Gabbard                                          

Diamond Club, Line B            
10 a.m. Marlon Byrd
11 a.m. Ron Washington
Noon Frankie Francisco, David Murphy
1 p.m. Dom Chiti, Rudy Jaramillo
2 p.m. C.J. Wilson
3 p.m. Jason Jennings
4 p.m. Kameron Loe, Travis Metcalf

The Newberg Report Booth (Located in the Diamond Club)
10 a.m. Chris Davis, John Whittleman
11:00 a.m. Doug Mathis, John Mayberry Jr.
11:30 a.m. Blake Beavan
Noon Taylor Teagarden
2 p.m. German Duran                        

Majestic Grand Slam Gift Shop
10 a.m. Rusty Greer, Ray Burris, Tom Grieve and Mickey Tettleton
11 a.m. Mark McLemore, Victor Rojas, Kenny Suarez and Ellis Valentine
Noon Josh Lewin, Jeff Russell, Jim Sundberg
1 p.m. Rich Billings, Mike Jeffcoat, Pete O’Brien
2 p.m. Eric Nadel, Dan Smith, Curtis Wilkerson
3 p.m. Dave Hostetler, Steve Buechele            
One autograph per person is allowed. Personalization and posing for photographs with players are not permitted.  The schedule is subject to change.

Q&A schedule
All sessions will be in the Theater of the Legends of the Game Baseball Museum in Home Run Porch.

10:05 a.m. Rangers Outfielder Josh Hamilton
11:05 a.m.  Rangers Shortstop Michael Young
12:05 p.m.  Rangers Assistant General Manager Thad Levine and Rangers Manager Ron Washington
1:05 p.m.  Texas Rangers Wives
2:05 p.m. Batting Tips with Rangers Hitting Coach Rudy Jaramillo

In addition to scheduled on-field activities and the operation of the Coca-Cola Sports Park, a limited number of fans will also have a chance to audition for the opportunity to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during a Rangers home game.  This season marks the 100th anniversary of the legendary 7th-inning stretch ballad

Shelton clears waivers

Infielder Chris Shelton has cleared waivers and will be sent to Triple-A Oklahoma, the Rangers announced today.  He will be a non-roster invitee to spring training. 

Shelton, 27, was designated for assignment on Jan. 14 to make room on the roster for right-handed pitcher Kazuo Fukumori. He was acquired from Detroit in a Dec. 5 trade for outfielder Freddy Guzman.  He spent last season with Triple-A Toledo of the International League, and batted .269 with 14 home runs, 31 doubles, and 65 RBI in 139 games. 

Nine other non-roster players were invited to spring training: infielder Elvis Andrus, infielder Chris Davis, infielder German Duran, infielder Nate Gold, right-handed pitcher Eric Hurley, right-handed pitcher Paul Kometani, outfielder John Mayberry Jr., catcher Chris Stewart and catcher Taylor Teagarden.

Byrd flying away? Not yet.

Reports out of Chicago suggest the Cubs have targeted Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd as part of their solution in center field in 2008 along with Felix Pie.

Speculation is that the Cubs would be willing to send outfielder Matt Murton for Byrd, who signed a 1-year, $1.8 million deal last week, or add slimmed-down minor-league pitching prospect Sean Gallagher to make a deal more attractive.

But that might not be enough to entice the Rangers. Byrd is the front-runner to play every day in left field, and his 2007 performance (.307, 10 HR, 70 RBI in 414 at-bats) suggests he could handle 500-plus at-bats. He is also insurance in center field should an injury befall Josh Hamilton.

Sosa’s Rangers days have come to an end

Sammy Sosa’s second stint with the Texas Rangers is officially over.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels confirmed Saturday that Texas will not pursue the free agent outfielder for this season.

“Sammy provided a lot to the club and our fans last year,” Daniels said via e-mail. “We wish him the best going forward.”

Texas had some interest in bringing back Sosa in a limited role, but he was seeking around $7 million. His base salary with the Rangers in 2007 was $500,000.

Sosa, 39, signed a one-year deal with Texas before last season and provided a spark as a designated hitter. He hit 21 homers and drove in 92 runs despite having his playing time reduced at the end of the season. Among his hits was the 600th homer of his career.

Sosa, who started his career with Texas in 1989 before being traded to the Chicago White Sox, was not offered salary arbitration by the Rangers after the season.

-- Anthony Andro

Fan Fest details

The Rangers have announced Fan Fest activites. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 26 at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Current and former Texas Rangers players will sign autographs throughout the day in the Diamond Club and Majestic Grand Slam Gift Shop. Rangers personalities will be available for Q&A sessions inside the Legends of the Game Museum.

The day's activites:

“Take Me Out to the Ballgame” Auditions: Fans can audition for the opportunity to sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during a Rangers home game.

Season Ticket and Mini Plan Select-A-Seat Open House: It’s the last day for savings on Season Tickets and Mini Plans, and fans who make their purchases will be able to choose their seat location.

Pack Attack and Pin Trading: “Pack Attack,” a game that uses trading cards to win prizes, will be set up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. along with a Pin Trading Booth, where fans have the opportunity to buy and trade collector’s pins.

Sale: Jerseys, bats, flags, publications, alumni autographed memorabilia and other items will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cuervo Club and also feature a silent auction with game-worn jerseys, autographed items and Rangers memorabilia.

Run the Bases, Catch Pop-Ups and Hit in the Batting Cages: Weather permitting, fans will be able to participate in these on-field activities from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The Legends of the Game Museum, Coca-Cola Sports Park, concession stands and captain's corral will be open.

Rangers, Laird agree on contract

The Rangers have agreed on a one-year, $1.6 million contract with catcher Gerald Laird, who had been eligible for arbitration. The club also announced today that it has hired Johnny Narron as major league special assignment coach.

Laird, 28, was third in the league and second in the AL last season in caught stealing percentage (39.8%), throwing out 39 of 98 runners attempting to steal. 

All players who were arbitration eligible are under contract for 2008:

right-handed pitcher Joaquin Benoit, infielder Ben Broussard, outfielder Marlon Byrd, right-handed pitcher Frank Francisco, Laird, and infielder Ramon Vazquez.

Narron was the Reds' major league video/administrative coach last season. With the Rangers, Narron will assist the big league staff in all aspects of daily operations, as well as other duties, including Major League scouting. He is the brother of former Rangers and Reds manager Jerry Narron.

New position for Botts?

Jason Botts, who will have his work cut out for him in making the Rangers roster, could help his cause if he can make himself more versatile. Botts, who normally plays in the outfield and as a designated hitter, could see some time at first base in spring training. "It's important that he's makes himself as valuable to us as possible so we discussed him working out at first base," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "I'm going to spend some time with him and see if we can smooth him out a little bit and at least get him where he's serviceable over there. Hopefully we can get his bat going."

- Anthony Andro

Jennings deal done

The Rangers have an 11 a.m. press conference scheduled to annouce the signing of starting pitcher Jason Jennings. The right-hander signed a one-year deal with Texas. Jennings, 29, struggled with elbow problems last year and went 2-9 with the Astros. The Dallas native and former Baylor pitcher won the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2002 while pitching for Colorado. Texas also signed reliever Bill White to a minor league contract. White was dropped from the 40-man roster to make room for Kaz Fukumori earlier this month.

- Anthony Andro