Texas Rangers Interested in Carlos Beltran?

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The Texas Rangers have their list of needs as we get closer and closer to Major League Baseball's trade deadline at the end of July.

Everyone want to talk about fixing the bullpen and maybe bringing in a starter or two to add to the rotation in order to move both Derek Holland and Alexi Ogando back to the bullpen.


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One area that hasn't gotten a lot of talk, for obvious reasons, is the outfield. Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, David Murphy, Craig Gentry, and Endy Chavez are the five players who are on the depth chart. Hamilton and Cruz are getting the bulk of the playing time with Chavez, Gentry, and Murphy splitting the rest of the time for one spot.

So, with that in mind, it wouldn't cross most people's minds that this team would look to add another outfielder.

Well, apparently that may not be the case.

According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Rangers are apparently interested in New York Mets' outfielder Carlos Beltran as well as reliever Francisco Rodriguez.

Beltran is making $18.5 million this season and will be a free agent at the end of this season. If the Mets pick up the majority of what remains of his contract, the Rangers might be willing to listen.

The Mets' outfielder is having perhaps his best season since 2008, hitting .278 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI through 273 at bats for New York.

Texas Rangers Notes: Why Heath Bell May Not Be a Ranger After All

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With the trade deadline almost exactly a month away, the talk surrounding how to change and strengthen the Texas Rangers' bullpen will become a hot topic of conversation.

The one name who has continued to come up is San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell. He's a guy the Rangers would love to have and a guy who would be a great fit at the back end of the bullpen.

But there's just one problem.


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Bell is a free agent after this season and there is no guarantee he will sign a long term deal with Texas. Being 34-years old and seemingly at back end of his career, Bell wants to go where he can finally win a championship.

He's been with the San Diego Padres for five seasons now and knows there really isn't a light at the end of their tunnel. At least not any time soon.

The Padres are going to look for some young prospects from any team showing interest. The Rangers will be one of those teams but the fear is having it end up as another "Cliff Lee deal." In other words, send prospects to San Diego for a three month rental.

Texas sent Justin Smoak to Seattle at the trade deadline last season in return for Lee even though they knew there was a good possibility he would end up going elsewhere once the season was over. Nolan Ryan didn't seem as convinced, even saying at times he felt confident that they would be able to get a deal done and bring Lee back for the 2011 season.

But, no matter how much they tried to talk to him and woo him back to Arlington, Lee did what was best for him and his family, eventually signing with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Well, as it turns out, the Rangers might have to compete with the Phillies once more. According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Philadelphia is apparently asking around for bullpen help and could turn their sights directly to the west coast and Heath Bell.

With Jose Contreras out four to six weeks with a strained forearm, it's only natural they would start shopping around to see who's available. The Phillies, already boasting the likes of Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, and the aforementioned Lee, would be an enticing place for Bell at this point in his career.

But unless the Rangers can talk Bell in to signing long term as a part of a trade, general manager Jon Daniels along with Nolan Ryan, might have a hard time giving up top prospects for yet another rental. Even with Bell in the mix, this team is still a long shot to get back to the World Series, let alone repeat as ALCS Champions.

Texas Rangers: Mets' Reliever Francisco Rodriguez Could be Cheap to Acquire

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One of the names on the list of possible trades the Texas Rangers can pursue is New York Mets reliever, Francisco Rodriguez, who is with his team in Arlington for the next three days.

I spoke to a Mets source today who told me Rodriguez is going to be more or less a salary dump for the team. He has a $17.5 million vesting option for next season which, the source told me, the Mets will probably need to pick up most or all of that option in order to move him.

As far as what he would cost in return I was told probably nothing more than a mid-level prospect or two.

Rodriguez is still a good reliever and if he can get control of his fastball back, could become a solid reliever in the Rangers' bullpen if he's the guy they want.

Texas Rangers: Is Chris Davis Still on the San Diego Padres' Radar?

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The Texas Rangers are going to be buyers at the deadline especially where their bullpen is concerned. While we've talked about who they could possibly go after what we haven't talked about is who the Rangers might have to give up to make a deal.

Heath Bell seems to be the one player a lot of Ranger fans have their eye on as the guy who could bolster their bullpen and help them down the stretch towards the playoffs.

With that in mind, I talked to a source with knowledge of the San Diego Padres and what it might take to land Bell in a deal.



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"Nobody [in the Padres lineup] scares anyone," the source told me. "They have plenty of young guys now, they need a young player who has been around for a couple of years."

Chris Davis, a name who has come up on more than one occasion, has been mentioned in connection with the Padres. However, a few Padre fans have told me the team would have no need for Davis with Anthony Rizzo up with the Padres and Kyle Blanks returning next season.

"[Davis] would fit the description of a player who's been around for a couple of years but he hasn't put up consecutive solid years yet. He's going to hit a lot of home runs in the PCL and the Southern League. The ball flies there and there isn't big league pitching in either of those leagues."

Maybe that explains the struggles Davis goes through when he makes the transition from Triple-A Round Rock to the Rangers. He's hit five home runs over his last eight games, something that would make anyone stand up and take notice.

However, every time he's had success in the minor leagues, he's called up to the Rangers and just can't find the same kind of rhythm.

Davis hasn't had a real chance to play on an every day basis this season and it makes me wonder if he would have success if he could find a team who would want him as their every day first baseman.

There's no doubt Davis could be dangled in a deal but will it be enough for San Diego to relinquish their closer?

"Only think I could think of is the Padres can say no until they get what they want," said this source. "They don't have to rush to get rid of Bell. With each day that goes by his value skyrockets because the [trade] market is weak for prime pitching."

"The Padres are in the driver's seat for the deadline. There's always one team every year who goes all in and never wins the World Series."

Unless Davis comes up to the big leagues and lights Arlington fire at the plate, he may be staying in a Texas uniform. At least for the immediate future.

Things always change. Stay tuned for the next month and a half because things always get crazy a few weeks prior to the trade deadline.

That's when teams, in desperate need of an impact player, become desperate.

Texas Rangers Notes: Josh Hamilton, Francisco Rodriguez, Neftali Feliz, Brett Myers

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Josh Hamilton Blames His Blue Eyes



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Texas Rangers' outfielder Josh Hamilton has been notoriously bad as a hitter during day games. Well, apparently we now have the reason as to why he struggles.

He told the Rangers' Radio Network that having blue eyes makes it harder to see during the day. He has bought sunglasses to try and remedy the situation but it seems the damage is already done with the Ranger fans. Most calling him out for just being plain bad and others wanting Hamilton to stop with the excuses.

Whatever the reasons might be, Hamilton is hitting an abysmal .122 during day games this season without a single home run.

Rangers Scouting Mets' Closer?

With the New York Mets coming to town, the Rangers will get a first hand look at young reliever Francisco Rodriguez, a guy some thing the team could look at as a trade option at the deadline next month.

While he is one of the options I talked about yesterday, his recent struggles might keep him as a third or even fourth option if the other names the Rangers are after fall through.


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 Rodriguez has blown two of his last three saves and has given up eight earned runs in his last 10 innings pitched. He's not the same guy who set the baseball world on fire with the then Anaheim Angels.

The problem with K-Rod could have been told in an SI.com piece three years ago that talked about his inability to command his fastball.

A reliever like Rodriguez tends to try to throw a mid-90's fastball by Major League hitters but without command of that pitch, it's going to look like nothing but batting practice.

While he may not be their first option, the Rangers will still be looking carefully at the young reliever and how he handles himself in one of the biggest hitters parks in baseball.

What to do With Neftali Feliz?

With the Rangers looking to bolster their bullpen the question it will bring up with most fans and media alike is what will the team do with their current closer, Neftali Feliz.

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If you bring in a guy like Heath Bell it will mean the end of Feliz's closing days. You can't bring in a proven closer and a guy who has all the confidence in the world, and only allow him the set up roll.

There's no question demoting Feliz might bruise his confidence a little bit, maybe he needs to learn from a real professional and how he goes about his business as a shut down closer. Maybe he can learn from a guy like Bell on how to prepare himself both mentally and physically before he comes trotting out for the ninth inning.

As for next season, the Rangers had attempted to look at him as a starter but he didn't have the command or the pitches to be effective. But if Ogando can come out of the bullpen, become a starter, and be effective there's no reason Feliz can't do it as well.

If he continues to struggle in the back end of the bullpen, it gives manager Ron Washington even less confidence to keep giving him the ball with the game on the line.

Rangers Interested in Brett Myers?

Not only are the Texas Rangers looking to bring in a name or two to solidify their bullpen but they're also looking at bringing in a proven starter to add to their rotation.

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Young left handers Matt Harrison and Derek Holland have struggled and some wonder if these two pitchers can continue to be trusted in the rotation down the stretch. Maybe one or both would be better off helping the team out of the bullpen?

Holland has that experience and has proven to be a solid reliever with exception to his problems during the playoffs. Pitching one inning is a lot different than trying to go five, six, or seven innings and anywhere from 90 to 100 pitches.

One of the names that has surfaced is Houston Astros right hander, Brett Myers. He was a name a lot of teams were interested in after a 14-8 record and a 3.14 ERA with the Astros last season. However, Myers has not had the same kind of success in 2011.

In 16 starts, Myers is 3-6 with a 4.65 ERA and has given up two or more runs in each of his last four starts including giving up five runs over six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals back on June 7th.

He definitely brings a veteran presence to the rotation and a guy who can take the ball every fifth day and will battle from start to finish.

He's not a guy who will be on and off the disabled list throughout the season and he's someone who could be a solid No. 2 starter behind C.J. Wilson and in front of Alexi Ogando. The way Colby Lewis is throwing right now and with Tommy Hunter due back, you'd have a solid rotation from top to bottom.

Texas Rangers Notes: Bullpen Trade Options

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The Texas Rangers are in desperate need of fixing their bullpen. If Wednesday night's debacle wasn't enough for Ranger fans to begin scouring the internet for rumors of possible trades, I don't know what kind of meltdown it would actually take for panic to finally set in.

We know all the talk surrounding Neftali Feliz making the move from the team's closer to the starting rotation. The Rangers did not see enough of him during spring training to believe he could successfully make the transition.

Now, after blowing a two-run lead in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros on Wednesday, general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan may need to kick start conversations with teams around Major League Baseball to see who is available.

With that in mind, here is a look at some of the bullpen names who could be mentioned in connection with Texas from now until the trade deadline at the end of July.

Heath Bell (Padres) - 2-3, 19 Saves, 2.70 ERA

San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell is a name that came up immediately after Feliz blew the save for the Rangers on Wednesday night. But his name has come up long before that.

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It's common knowledge that the Padres are going to make him available at the deadline as the team will not be able to afford what Bell will ask for in free agency.

I talked to a source last week who told me the Rangers had met with Padres' brass at Petco Park about a month ago. Though they couldn't say if names were exchanged, one has to believe the likes of Bell as well as Adams were probably brought up in conversation.

As for what Bell might cost the Rangers? A few names I've been told are minor league shortstop Jurickson Profar and possibly reserve outfielder David Murphy. With rumors the Padres could trade outfielder Ryan Ludwick at the deadline, bringing in another veteran outfielder makes little sense in this scenario.

Mike Adams (Padres) - 2-1, 1.35 ERA


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While Heath Bell would be a great addition to the Rangers, San Diego Padres' set up man Mike Adams might be an even better option.

The soon to be 33-year told right hander has allowed just five earned runs 33.1 innings pitched and has given up just one run in his last nine innings.

Though he's only a year younger than Bell, Adams is the one who has ties to Texas. He was born in Corpus Christi and attended Texas A&M-Kingsville. A trade back to Texas would bring the native son home to an area he grew up in and close to family he still has in the state.

The Padres are less likely to give up Adams especially since he's under team control through the 2012 season. He would also cost the Rangers more in return than Bell would.

All that being said, he's shown just how dominant of a reliever he can be. Say what you want about pitching at Petco Park, where he sports a 1.06 ERA and holding opposing hitters to a .138 batting average, Adams has a 1.65 ERA away from Petco and is holding opposing hitters to a .155 batting average.

Joel Hanrahan (Pirates) - 0-1, 20 Saves, 1.31 ERA

According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune, the Texas Rangers had apparently contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates in late May about their closer, Joel Hanrahan.

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At the time, the conversation did not go anywhere as the Pirates were not willing to talk about any deals regarding Hanrahan.

He's been solid all season long and has yet to blow a save. He's only given up two earned runs over his last 20.1 innings pitched. Pittsburgh isn't exactly a pitcher's park so give the soon to be 30-year old right hander credit. He's arguably one of the biggest reasons the Pirates are only three games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.

Hanrahan sports a 1.42 ERA at home and has held opposing hitters to a .194 batting average. On the road he's even better. He holds a 1.17 road ERA with a .218 batting average against.

Francisco Rodriguez (Mets) - 1-2, 19 Saves, 3.34 ERA

There was a time where I would almost beg for a guy like 29-year old Francisco Rodriguez. This is a young reliever who burst onto the Major League Baseball scene with the then Anaheim Angels during their World Series run. He was the young kid who made Derek Jeter and other New York Yankee hitters look like little leaguers at the plate.

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His fastball was in the upper 90's with a breaking ball that was absolutely unhittable.

After his trade to the New York Mets, and drama involving his arrest for assaulting his father-in-law last year, he just hasn't been the same dominant closer that he had been in the past.

Rodriguez has blown each of his last two saves and has given up eight earned runs in his last 10 innings pitched. If he's struggling in the NL East, how are things going to go for him in the American League especially in a hitter's park?

Kerry Wood (Cubs) - 1-3, 2.25 ERA

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Kerry Wood is one of those relievers the Rangers would love to bring in. He's currently on the 15-day disabled list with a blister on his right index finger but that shouldn't keep teams from inquiring about his availability.

Wood's career took a big turn for the better in 2010 as a member of the New York Yankees. The right hander was 2-0 with an astounding 0.69 ERA allowing just two earned runs in 24 appearances with the Bronx Bombers.

His experience in one of the toughest divisions in baseball, the AL East, will make him a very sought after commodity at the trade deadline.

With things not going so well for the Chicago Cubs, Wood could definitely be just one of several players on the trade block.

Grant Balfour (A's) - 4-1, 2 Saves, 2.48 ERA

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Oakland A's flamethrower, Grant Balfour, could be one of the more interesting names as the trade deadline approaches.

While the A's aren't waving the white flag of surrender on a very weak AL West division, they could very well do just that if they continue to slip further and further behind the Seattle Mariners and front-runner Texas Rangers.

In 2010, Balfour showed the kind of dominance he could bring with the Tampa Bay Rays. He had 57 relief appearances (55.1 IP) he had a 2.28 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .216 batting average. He was signed by the Oakland A's during the off season and has been just as dominant in 2011 as he was last season.

This season, in 33 relief appearances (32.2 IP), Balfour has a 2.48 ERA and holding hitters to a .198 batting average.


Best of the rest:

Sean Marshall (Cubs)
Todd Coffey (Nationals)
Joakim Soria (Royals)
Tyler Clippard (Nationals)
Kevin Gregg (Orioles)

Texas Rangers Notes: C.J. Wilson, Mitch Moreland, Mike Napoli

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Not a lot to talk about today by way of trade rumors but I will give you one interesting nugget I was able to scrounge up. The rest is just little odds and ends from the Rangers' walk off win over the Astros on Tuesday night.

C.J. Wilson Struggles With Command


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For a guy who took over the role of the 'ace' in the starting rotation, C.J. Wilson has handled the duties better than most expected he would.

Once in awhile, he can get away with struggling once in awhile, so long as the Rangers come out with a win. Such was the case on Tuesday night against the Houston Astros. Wilson gave up four runs and 11 hits through six and two-third innings.

Luckily, his offense picked him up thanks to a game-tying home run from Josh Hamilton and a game winning walk-off blast from Mitch Moreland. His second home run in as many nights.



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Mitch Moreland Swingin' a Sweet Bat

After Monday night's 455-foot bomb, Moreland admitted he did watch it just a little bit. On Tuesday night, there was no doubt he admired his work on another bomb to right field, this one of the walk-off variety in the 11th inning.

The very first pitch Moreland saw he sent deep into the Texas night and about 15 rows back in the second deck. Sending his teammates jumping dugout railing and over to home plate to await the impending celebration.

It was Moreland's second blast in as many nights. If his bat stays hot, the Rangers could get on a much needed winning streak as they head towards the All-Star break.

Mike Napoli on the Trading Block?


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Last week, CBS Sports' Danny Knobler had a blog talking about the San Francisco Giants' interest in Rangers' catcher, Taylor Teagarden.

A week later, Knobler seems to think the Rangers will deal Mike Napoli to the Giants once he's ready to be activated from the disabled list.

I can see the Rangers dealing Teagarden especially seeing the kind of struggles he's had with the big club. I don't see them dealing Napoli at all and there's no reason to do so.

He's a better hitter than Teagarden and Napoli can not only back up starter Yorvit Torrealba behind the plate but also give manager Ron Washington a decent defensive option at first base.

The Giants need catching especially after the season ending injury to Buster Posey. But don't expect the Rangers to engage them where Napoli is concerned. Unless there's a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter coming back in the deal.

Texas Rangers Notes: Holland, O'Day, Wilson, Marshall, Balfour

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Derek Holland Bounces Back

After a rough outing against the New York Yankees his last time out, Derek Holland needed to put together a solid start against the Houston Astros on Monday night. If for no other reason than to get his confidence back.

Holland did just that, giving up just three runs through seven and one-third innings, and got a very nice ovation from the 41,000 fans at Rangers' Ballpark.

His next start should come this weekend at home against the New York Mets.

Darren O'Day on The Mend

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Sidewinder Darren O'Day made his first rehab appearance on Monday night, allowing a solo home run in his one inning for Double-A Frisco.

He's scheduled to pitch at Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday where the Rangers should make a determination on whether he's ready to return to the team or if he needs a little more time.

O'Day went on the 60-day disabled list on April 27th with a torn labrum in his left hip.

C.J. Wilson Could be a Free Agent Prize

Ever since Cliff Lee decided he didn't want to sign a long term deal with the Texas Rangers during the off season, C.J. Wilson has stepped into the role of staff 'ace' and has played it beautifully.

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The soon-to-be 31-year old right hander is 7-3 through 15 starts this season with a 3.03 ERA. He's pitched well enough to be getting some attention from around the big leagues, especially teams who will be looking for pitching during the off season.

According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, the New York Yankees could potentially be a suitor for Wilson when the 2011 season comes to a close.

"And really when you're 40 or 50 years old, you're going to look back on your career and say, 'This is why I did it and I'm cool with it,' Wilson told Hale. "When I was 8 years old, I wanted to win the World Series. When I was 12 years old, I wanted to win the World Series. It's just always going to be that. It's always going to be the deciding factor, one way or the other."

Could Sean Marshall be on the Rangers' Radar?

For those fans of the Chicago Cubs or fans of other teams in the National League's Central Division, you have probably seen left handed reliever, Sean Marshall. If you haven't seen him, you've probably been looking somewhere else because at 6-foot-7 and 220 pounds, Marshall is a hard guy to miss.

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Ever since he transitioned from the starting rotation to the bullpen, Marshall has been nothing short of dominant.

In 80 games last season (74.2 IP), he finished 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA. This season, through 33 games (33.2 IP), Marshall sports a 3-2 record with a 2.41 ERA.

With the Rangers looking to better their bullpen for the stretch run, Marshall would be one of those guys who would be a solid addition if they could give the Cubs what they are looking for. Though Chicago has no reason to give him up, seeing as he's still yet to turn 29 this year (Aug. 30th), he still has some good years ahead of him.

The left hander signed a 2-year $4.7 million extension with the team and he's slated to earn $3.1 million next season.

Grant Balfour a Good Fit in Texas?

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ESPN's Buster Olney has a piece out this afternoon and brings up Oakland A's right hander, Grant Balfour. Olney says the Rangers could be a good fit if Oakland decides they are too far out of the race to be contenders.

Balfour is in his very first season with the A's and, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, is looking like an All-Star this season. In 32 appearances (31.1 IP), Balfour is 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA, holding apposing batters to a .205 batting average.

The 6-foot-2 197 pound reliever from Australia is signed through 2012 with a $4.5 million club option for the 2013 season.

Texas Rangers Ride Derek Holland, Big Bats to Win Over Houston

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The Texas Rangers, fresh off a road trip that saw them lose six of their nine games, came back to their home ballpark in Arlington, Texas looking to get back on track.

Another guy who was looking for a rebound was Monday night's starter, Derek Holland.

After giving up six runs through just five innings in New York against the Yankees, he took to the mound against the Astros and had one of his best performances of the season. He gave up three runs on six hits through seven and one-third innings and struck out four. Not a bad line for the young left-hander.

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It was a night Holland needed to have to give his confidence a little bit of a boost, especially since there had been talk recently that the Rangers were thinking of moving him back to the bullpen.

But it wasn't just Holland who had a good night. The Rangers offense exploded for seven runs, chasing Astros starter J.A. Happ before he was able to get out of the third inning.

Josh Hamilton and Adrian Beltre combined for five hits in nine at bats and drove in four of the Rangers eight runs on the night. They weren't the only ones turning in big performances.

Craig Gentry, the speedy outfielder, had a career high three hits on the night and Mitch Moreland added a solo blast in the home half of the eighth inning to put the game on ice.

While most will talk about the Rangers beating up on a bad team you can call it what you want. A win is a win and, right now, the Rangers will take any wins they can get to stay in front in the American League's Western Division.

But, as one person said inside the press box at Rangers' Ballpark, "the season doesn't begin for this team until after the All-Star break."

That might be true but the All-Star break isn't here yet and this team needs to tread water for a little bit longer. Make no mistake about it, the Mariners, Angels, and A's know exactly where Texas is and they are only one or two moves away from leaving them in the dust.

It's time to protect until general manager Jon Daniels and CEO Nolan Ryan can put together some moves of their own. Monday night was a good first step but this season is a long ways from over.

Texas Rangers: Johnathan Taylor Will Not Sign With the Team

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The Texas Rangers brought first round draft picks Kevin Matthews and Zach Cone to Turner Field in Atlanta to meet the players prior to their game against the Braves.

Another player who joined Matthews and Cone was 33rd round pick, Johnathan Taylor, who was paralyzed from the waist down after a collision with Cone, his teammate at Georgia.

Taylor was able to meet some of the Ranger players on Saturday and according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram, received the lions' share of attention from the media who were there.



Picture courtesy: Associated Press

He made the announcement that he would not be signing with the Rangers but instead would be staying in school to finish his degree and continue his rehab. Georgia baseball coach Dave Perno told Wilson the team hopes Taylor can be with the team next season and travel with them as a student manager.

"I don't know if there are very many people who could handle it the way he has," Perno said over the weekend. "One way or the other he'll be in the dugout whenever he wants. You just want him around your team."

The Rangers, on the other hand, have every intention of supporting Taylor and even went so far as to say they hope he can have a position with the club when he is ready to talk to them about it.

A.J. Preller, Senior Director of Player Personnel for the Texas Rangers, said of Taylor, "going forward we'll be there to support him in any way possible. His goal is to get better every day, and that's the goal that we talk about to our players. That's where it's a very good fit."

It's an incredible gesture by the Rangers to not only draft him but to let him know he has a spot with the team when he is ready to move to that part of his life.

"Right now my goal is to get better in rehab, focus on trying to get my legs back up under me again. Start walking, running, and get back up on that field again," Taylor told WSB-TV in Atlanta.

Texas Rangers Notes: Ogando, Kazmir, Bell, Scheppers, Webb

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Alexi Ogando the Hard Luck Loser

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You can't blame Alexi Ogando for what happened on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. He did exactly what he was supposed to do.

Thanks to two mental lapses by catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and a wild pitch by Ogando, the Braves were able to get three runs that inning which ended up making the difference in a 4-2 Atlanta win.

Ogando went five innings and gave up three runs though only one was earned. The only reason Ron Washington didn't go with Ogando into the sixth inning was because he was already at 105 pitches after he finished the fifth inning.

After a 7-0 start for Ogando, he's come up with losses in each of his last two decisions.

Rangers Interested in Scott Kazmir

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After the Los Angeles Angels released pitcher Scott Kazmir, you knew there were going to be more than a few teams who were going to show interest in signing him. Especially since he could be had for cheap.

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Texas Rangers are apparently one of those teams showing their interest. The other four teams, Cafardo says, are the Padres, Rockies, Marlins, and Diamondbacks.

Heath Bell Could be on Rangers' Radar

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According to a source I spoke to over the weekend, the Rangers apparently met with the Padres' brass at Petco Park three weeks ago. Though they couldn't say what was talked about, you have to believe the Rangers are showing interest in some of the San Diego relievers.

ESPN's Buster Olney talked about the Padres trade of their closer on Twitter saying "I'd bet that the Padres' sweep, at the hands of the Twins, will accelerate their decision-making on when to trade Heath Bell. It makes sense."

Olney went on to say, "The sooner that the Padres trade Bell, the more than can ask for -- certainly more than if they wait until July 31 deadline."

Tanner Scheppers Dominates

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The Texas Rangers officially re-activated one of their top pitching prospects, Tanner Scheppers, and sent him to the bullpen of the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. Though two innings, Scheppers looked nothing short of dominant.

Through two innings of relief, the young right hander didn't give up a single hit, struck out four, and has his fastball up around the mid-90's.

While he was expected to be a starter, his domination out of the bullpen could have him seeing the big leagues sooner rather than later.

However, it's going to be awhile before he moves himself back up to Triple-A Round Rock, which is where he was before he went to the disabled list back in late April. Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels has already been quoted as saying they want to make Scheppers prove he's ready to move himself up to the next level.

Things Could Not be Worse for Brandon Webb

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I don't know if Brandon Webb is going to make it back to the big leagues let alone make it out of Double-A.

Webb made the start for the Frisco RoughRiders on Sunday and couldn't have looked any worse. The right hander lasted just two-thirds of an inning, giving up four runs on six hits before being taken out with two outs in the very first inning.

You have to wonder just how much longer the Rangers are going to wait for him to come around. From the way things have looked, I don't know if things will ever 'come around' for him.

Texas Rangers Notes: Lewis, Matthews, Cone, Rodriguez, Scheppers

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Colby Lewis Finally Gets it Right

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Texas Rangers' right hander Colby Lewis couldn't have picked a better time to finally have a good outing for his team.

After giving up 15 earned runs in his last two combined starts (4.2 IP), Lewis came out and had a solid outing against the Atlanta Braves, giving up just two runs and striking out 10 through six and two-third innings in a 6-2 Rangers' win. A win this team desperately needed after dropping seven of their last nine going into Friday night's game.

This is the kind of start Lewis needs to be able to carry a little bit of momentum and confidence into his next outing which will likely come at home against the Houston Astros next week.

Rangers Sign Both First Round Picks

On Friday afternoon, the Texas Rangers made the announcement they had reached an agreement with their two first round draft picks, right hander Kevin Matthews and outfielder Zach Cone.

Matthews, a right hander from Richmon Hill High School in Georgia. Thought to be a solid commit to the University of Virginia, word quickly spread that Matthews had every intention of signing with the team. He made good on those rumors, signing for $936,000 and will report to the Arizona Rookie League.

The other first round pick the team was able to sign on Friday was former Georgia Bulldog outfielder, Zach Cone. You might remember Cone was involved in a collision with teammate Johnathan Taylor on March 6th that left Taylor partially paralyzed with a broken neck.

Not only did the Rangers draft Cone but they also surprised Taylor by drafting him as well. Cone signed on Friday for $873,000 and will report to Class A Spokane.



Francisco Rodriguez a Possible Target



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It's well known the Rangers will be one of those teams looking to add pitching depth at or before the trade deadline at the end of July. With that date quickly approaching, the list of names this team could be interested in has grown by the day.



We have heard the likes of San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell, Washington Nationals' relievers Todd Coffey and Tyler Clippard, and Kansas City Royals' closer Joakim Soria just to name a few.

But one other name who has been mentioned is former Los Angels Angels' and current New York Mets' closer, Francisco Rodriguez. You might know Rodriguez as the young star with the Angels who came in to a game against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series and made them look like little leaguers at the plate.



Rodriguez is currently 1-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 19 saves on the season but has given up almost as many runs this season (12) as he gave up all of last season (14).

Tanner Scheppers Re-Activated



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Though the Rangers will look for bullpen help as well as another starter at the trade deadline, they may not have to look any further than their own minor league system for a pitcher who can make an immediate impact.

Tanner Scheppers is one of the top pitching prospects in the Rangers system and had been just one move away from the big leagues at Triple-A Round Rock.

Unfortunately, Scheppers struggled before going on the disabled list with a back injury.

On Friday, the young right hander was re-activated by the team and sent to Double-A Frisco to join the RoughRidgers' bullpen. According to general manager Jon Daniels, it might be awhile before Scheppers makes his way up the ladder again. "Coming off the injury, we want Tanner to get his routine down before we challenge him at a higher level," he told Jeff Wilson of the Star Telegram.

Will Case McCoy Transfer From Texas If He Isn't Named the Starter in 2011?

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In early May it seemed as if the Texas Longhorns and head coach Mack Brown had already chosen their starting quarterback for the 2011 season.

According to American-Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls, he was told by a source close to the team that Gilbert had already been notified of the news but wanted it to stay quiet so quarterbacks Connor Wood, Case McCoy, and David Ash wouldn't just go 'through the motions.'


Photo courtesy: Statesman.com



Almost a month and a half later, there is a very different tune being sung.

"No one has any idea" a source told Blake Munroe of InsideTexas.com. "Why would they say who it was this early? I don't think we'll know until right before the first game."

Not only is this source saying no one really knows who the starting quarterback will be for the Longhorns, but there is an even more interesting story coming out of this.

McCoy, the younger brother of another former Texas quarterback, Colt McCoy, has apparently told people he is going to transfer from the university if he is not named the starter this season.

"If he doesn't get named the starter, then he's most likely out, this source told Munroe. "If he does transfer, he'll want those coaches to guarantee him a starting spot wherever he is going. You can't really guarantee anyone anything when it comes to the quarterback position, though, so I'm not real sure what his deal is. He's expecting everything to go his way."

It's one thing to have confidence in being able to land the starting role at one of the biggest college football programs in the country, it's quite another to almost expect it to be handed to him.

Confidence, moxie, productivity and a competitive attitude and swagger is just a few of the things listed in his recruiting profile.

Notice the first and last words it describes? It might the two things that eventually lead to Case being concerned more about himself than the university or the brother who's footsteps he thought he would follow.

While there is still time for this drama to play itself out, McCoy's transfer could be one of the biggest and most disappointing stories in college football before the season kicks off in September.

Texas Rangers Notes: C.J. Wilson, Torrealba, Soria, Wood

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C.J. Wilson sets a career high


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The Texas Rangers are reeling, losing seven of their last nine games including getting swept by the New York Yankees over the last three games.

One bright spot from that series was starter C.J. Wilson who set a career high with 129 pitches through eight solid innings of work. Wilson gave up just two runs on seven hits and struck out 10. He is showing why the Rangers believed him when he said he could take the role of the staff 'ace' when Cliff Lee departed for Philadelphia.

Through 15 starts, Wilson sports a 7-3 record with a 3.03 ERA.

Torrealba calls out the New York Yankees

Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba apparently had a problem with Yankee hitters Andruw Jones and Mark Teixeira, accusing both of stealing signs.


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Torrealba got into it with Jones during the fifth inning on Wednesday night and apparently said something to Teixeira during his at bat one night earlier. Both took exception to Torrealba's accusation, naturally, and even Jones said it was a little bit of sour grapes on Torrealba's part.

While stealing signs isn't illegal it is something teams take exception to if it's being done. There have been plenty of games where you'll hear a comment from a catcher or see a verbal altercation over this kind of issue.

Hitters should be good enough to figure a pitcher out without the "tipping" help of a runner on second base

Texas Rangers searching for help

The Rangers need help in their bullpen and they need it soon. Even general manager Jon Daniels recently admitted as much. "It's something that we're open to, but it's easier said than done," Daniels told T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. "There are not a lot of clubs eager to move quality arms right now. We've got to be able to address it right now."


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Asked about their combined 4.52 bullpen ERA Daniels said, "it hasn't been as effective as we need it to be. We haven't hit our stride yet. It would help if a couple of guys come back healthy, but we need to be more consistent. The bottom line is it needs to be better."

One name Sullivan talked about in his column on Thursday is Kansas City Royals' reliever, Joakim Soria. Earlier in the season he would have been an expensive reliever to acquire. However, thanks to his recent struggles, including a string of three blown saves in four appearances, he may not have quite the price tag at this point.

However, he has not given up a run in his last six appearances (8 IP) so that price may be going up.

A few other names mentioned by Sullivan were Chicago Cubs' reliever Kerry Wood, San Diego Padres' closer Heath Bell, Washington Nationals' relievers Todd Coffey and Tyler Clippard, and Baltimore Orioles' relievers Koji Uehara, Jim Johnson and Kevin Gregg.

Texas Rangers Notes: Holland, Lowe, Teagarden, Guthrie

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The Texas Rangers continue to struggle in New York. After another 12-4 loss on Wednesday night, they have now dropped six of their eight games against the Yankees this season.

After Alexi Ogando gave up six runs through 1 2/3 innings on Tuesday, Derek Holland wasn't much better. The young right hander gave up six runs on seven hits, walked five and gave up two home runs through five innings of work.

Holland struggled right off the bat (no pun intended) and was unable to gain any control of his pitches.

After Holland departed, reliever Mark Lowe would take over and would have just about as much success as Holland had. Lowe gave up three runs through just an inning of work, both coming on home runs including a two-run shot from Mark Teixeira, his second of two home runs on the day.

Combined between Ogando and Holland, Ranger starters have given up 12 runs through just 6 2/3 innings of work over the last two nights.



Photo courtesy: Getty Images

 Taylor Teagarden, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock after Mike Napoli went on the disabled list, is apparently being looked at by the San Francisco Giants according to Danny Knobler of CBS.com.

Since the Giants lost Buster Posey for the season, Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart have combined for a .180 batting average with no home runs and just two runs batted in through 19 games.

Knobler told me he wasn't sure if the two teams had engaged in talks but did confirm the Giants' interest.

Another trade partner, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, could be the Baltimore Orioles. Sullivan, in his mailbag column, talked about Chris Davis being someone Baltimore would look at with their need at first base. Two names Sullivan mentioned coming back to Texas were relievers Jim Johnson or Koji Uehara.

However, if I'm Texas, there's only one guy I'm looking at it's 32-year old right hander Jeremy Guthrie. Don't be fooled by his record this season (2-8) but focus more on the 3.77 ERA. He plays for a bad Orioles team and coming to Texas could provide the spark he and this pitching staff needs.

Sullivan also mentioned the Rangers being willing to trade anyone if the right deal were to come along. He said the Rangers would put Nelson Cruz on the first plane to Seattle if it meant Felix Hernandez was coming back in the deal.

That kind of deal isn't going to happen but you get the point he's making.