Texas Rangers

Forget Buchholz, Pudge

Nolan Ryan's dreams of seeing Clay Buchholz in the Rangers' rotation probably came to an end Friday with the announcement that the Red Sox have re-signed catcher Jason Varitek to what is being reported as a two-year contract.

Rangers' sources had indicated that the team had offered catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia head up for Buchholz. The Varitek signing may not end Boston's quest to add a young catcher to groom, but it's unlikely they'll feel motivated to deal a young arm as valuable as Buchholz's in the process.

Buchholz still may not have a spot in the Red Sox rotation. He would have quickly stepped into one in Texas. Ryan had made no secret that he likes Buchholz and would have parted with a catcher to land him.

There are other ramifications to this deal as well. If the Rangers don't trade a catcher, then they almost certainly won't be bringing Pudge Rodriguez back as a backup and mentor for a young starter,  That's something the Rangers had been mulling over after Pudge let them know he would love to return to Texas and that his asking price wouldn't be prohibitive, probably a $2-$3 million, 1-year deal.

   -- Jim Reeves

  

Rangers, Byrd agree

The Rangers avoided salary arbitration with outfielder Marlon Byrd when they agreed to a one-year, $3.06-million contract. Byrd had sought $3.6 million, and the Rangers countered with $2.7 million.

The Rangers have signed each of their four arbitration-eligible players.  

Varitek, Red Sox agree

SI.com and ESPN are reporting that the Red Sox and catcher Jason Varitek have agreed on a contract for at least a year. There might be an option in there for a second, depending on which story you read.

That should end any more talk of Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden being traded to Boston, and allow them to go into camp to compete for the starting job. Expect Saltalamacchia to go into Surprise, Ariz., atop the depth chart.

The Associated Press is also reporting the agreement.

-- Jeff Wilson

So what does the Texas bullpen look like now?

For all the talk about Ben Sheets, maybe the Rangers need to spend a little more time trying to figure out who's coming in for the starters. The loss of Joaquin Benoit really hurts, especially if you were expecting him to pitch like his 2007 self. The way I see it, the seven-man pen is in a huge state of flux.

The givens are closer Frank Francisco, lefty C.J. Wilson and right-hander Josh Rupe. They want Kason Gabbard in relief, which gives you two left-handers. A healthy Derrick Turnbow would be a huge help from the right side, but can he be counted on? Then what? Warner Madrigal and Dustin Nippert would put you at six relievers. But Madrigal hasn't pitched a full season and Nippert could figure as a starter? Is Luis Mendoza your seventh man? It kind of makes you appreciate Jamey Wright a little more, doesn't it?

If you're comfortable with a relief staff of Francisco, Wilson, Rupe, Gabbard, Turnbow, Madrigal and Nippert, then rest easy. If not, what are the answers.

- Anthony Andro

Benoit has shoulder surgery

Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit underwent surgery Tuesday on his right shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff. Benoit, who missed part of last season with shoulder problems, isn't expected to be ready to pitch until the second half of the season at the earliest.

"Joaquin was affected most of last season, and it didn't allow him to perform to his abilities," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in a written statement. "He attempted to rehab the injury this off-season.  He worked hard but the results weren't there.  From all accounts the surgery went well and he can begin the process of strengthening his shoulder now."

A little warmth from Sidney Ponson

Visit this link to view the princely Florida estate of Sidney Ponson, the former Rangers pitcher who is trying to unload some prime real estate in Fort Lauderdale. Good luck in that depressed housing market. More than 6,000 square feet with six bedrooms and seven bathrooms. Hey, an elevator. No mention of the number of wet bars.

-- Jeff Wilson

More Hope?

The Andy Pettitte signing with the Yankees, apparently taking them out of the Ben Sheets sweepstakes, wasn't the only news Tuesday that could impact the Rangers and their starting rotation.

The Boston Herald, citing a source close to the negotiations, also reports that the Red Sox have given 37-year-old catcher and team captain Jason Varitek a deadline of this Saturday to accept their contract offer or see it pulled off the table.

If Varitek doesn't take the deal, the Red Sox will then proceed with alternate catching plans and that may lead them back to the Rangers and their pursuit of either Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden. The Rangers, according to a team source, would deal Saltalamacchia head up for right-hander Clay Buchholtz.

The Red Sox have reportedly also talked to the Arizona Diamondbacks about catcher Miguel Montero.

Think about it for a minute: If things fall right, the Rangers could still add Sheets and Bucholtz to their rotation before spring training, giving them a rotation of Sheets, Kevin Millwood, Vincente Padilla and Bucholtz with Scott Feldman, Matt Harrison and Brandon McCarthy battling it out for the fifth spot. And with Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, Thomas Diamond or one of the other young studs waiting for someone to falter.

Mind boggling, isn't it?

   -- JIM REEVES

 

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Byrd, Rangers continue negotiations

Assistant general manager Thad Levine believes the Rangers and outfielder Marlon Byrd will reach an agreement on a contract for 2009 and avoid salary arbitration. Byrd is seeking $3.6 million, and the Rangers have offered $2.7 million. Conversations with Byrd's agent, Sam Levinson, have been steady.

"As long as the lines of communication stay open -- and I see no reason that they will close -- we should be able to get a deal done," Levine said.

-- Jeff Wilson

Braving the cold at Fan Fest

Some fans started lining up around 5 a.m. for a chance to get a Josh Hamilton autograph during Fan Fest at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington. Ben Sheets was not among them. It couldn't have been much colder then than it was when Hamilton started signing at 10 a.m. for two hours inside the Diamond Club.

Michael Young was there at 10 a.m., too, for an hour's worth of autographs. He revealed that he and general manager Jon Daniels had their first meeting since the infamous session in December when Daniels asked/told Young to be a third baseman.

Meeting No. 2 was Wednesday at the Ballpark, and both parties tried to downplay what happened. Young and Daniels said on Saturday that there's no need to make a big deal out of any possible strain in their relationship. It seems both understand the other's side of the story and are respectful of that, though Young said again that he still doesn't think he should be at third base.

As for Sheets, the Rangers haven't had any contact with agent Casey Close since dining with him and his client Wednesday night. Asked if a deal could be done by Monday, a person familiar with the situation said anything's possible, including Sheets signing with the Mets.

-- Jeff Wilson

Risk vs. Reward re: Sheets

The Rangers have reason to be concerned about Ben Sheets, not necessarily his injury history but specifically the flexor tendon injury that sidelined him last September, but they're also aware that opportunities to snare a legitimate staff ace at a bargain price are rare.

"When he's right, he's as good as there is in the game," Nolan Ryan told me Friday. "But you have to be certain that he's healthy."

The Rangers might not be so leery of Sheets if they hadn't just gone through this flexor tendon thing with Jason Jennings last season. Sheets is trying to bounce back with rehabilitation, rather than surgery, but, like Jennings, he could wind up under the knife anyway.

That's why the Rangers want to structure a deal that would be laden with incentives, to protect themselves in case Sheets breaks down again. Sheets would like to pitch here, believe it or not, because he lives in Highland Park and would be reunited with pitching coach Mike Maddux, but if another team blows him away with a lot more guaranteed money, they'll pass.

If that happens, the Rangers will take a look at some of the other free agent pitchers who might be ready to take a one-year deal. Assistant general manager Thad Levine says they're "kicking the tires" on a couple of other possibilities, one of whom might be right-hander Jon Garland. Garland, however, is one of the few starters out there who still seems to think there's a big multi-year deal just around the corner.

   -- JIM REEVES