The Rangers and left-hander Matt Harrison are in early stages about a contract extension, reports Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:

The Rangers and the agents for Matt Harrison have entered into preliminary negotiations on a contract extension for the All-Star left-hander…

“We’ve touched base with all the guys we want to extend,” Daniels said Nov. 8. “Harry’s one of them. He’s earned that conversation.”

The 27-year-old Harrison posted career-best numbers last season, putting up a 3.29 ERA and a 2.25 SO/BB ratio in 213 1/3 innings; yesterday it was announced he earned the teams Pitcher of the Year award. He struggled in his first three seasons with Texas but has really turned the corner the two years, putting up eerily similar numbers in 2011 and 2012.

The left-hander has two years of arbitration remaining before he hits the free agent market, but Texas could very well lock him down for a few more years, much like they did with right-hander Derek Holland in March.

The Rangers do not generally finalize contract extensions until spring training so it may be a while until a new deal with Harrison becomes official. The team could also sell high on him and make a trade to replace Hamilton if he signs elsewhere.

Future Ranger utilityman Leury Garcia – Photo Tim Heitman- US PRESSWIRE

- Today the team announced they added INF Leury Garcia and LHP Joe Ortiz to the 40- man roster.

- They re-acquire RHP Jake Brigham [traded in the Geovany Soto deal] from the Chicago Cubs for RHP Barrett Loux and a player to be named later. The deal comes because of a Brigham injury. Brigham also gets a 40-man spot.

- Rangers sign RHP Johan Yan to a minor league deal. Gets invite to big league camp.

- Matt Harrison gets named Rangers pitcher of the year.

News and Notes

Texas re-signed infielder Guilder Rodriguez, 2B/OF Alejandro Selen (a potential six-year minor-league free agent), and RHP Daniel Lopez.

Full-Season Position Players of the Year

1. 3B Mike Olt (Age 24, AA, .288/.398/.579, 46 XBH, 14% BB rate, 4 SB)

Olt led Texas’s minor leaguers with 28 homers in only 95 games, drew a lot of walks, and played excellent defense at third.  He had a brief MLB campaign hampered by plantar fasciitis, Olt barely played down the stretch. But when he played he didn’t hit much. Despite the disappointing conclusion, Olt confirmed his status among baseball’s best prospects during the course of the season.  He’s going to be a solid Major Leaguer. In what should be a busy offseason, Olt’s status is as undefined as anyone in the organization.  In recent years, Texas hasn’t used Spring Training as a tryout camp except for role players, so Olt will probably know his short-term future no later than March 1st. He could be in Texas, Round Rock, or traded to another franchise.

2. SS Jurickson Profar (Age 19, AA, .281/.368/.452, 47 XBH, 12% BB rate, 16 SB) 

Fantastic. Elite. Will be with Rangers in 2013. 

3. CF Leonys Martin (Age 24, AAA, .359/.422/.610, 32 XBH, 9% BB rate, 10 SB)

Statistically, Martin pummeled the opposition.  He only played in 55 games, Martin missed six weeks with a thumb injury after an ill-advised head-first slide but hit as well as ever when he returned. Martin did not affirm his status as Texas’s 2013 CF.  His use of plus running and defensive tools felt short at times.  Like Olt, circumstances and lack of instant production hurt him. Additional AAA seasoning doesn’t serve much purpose. Is a Martin/Gentry platoon in center what the Rangers go with in 2013? 

4. 3B Drew Robinson (Age 20, low-A, .273/.409/.444, 40 XBH, 17% BB rate, 10 SB)

After a highly disappointing 2011 in Spokane, the left-handed Robinson again started slowly then hit 13 homers and spent a fair amount of time at 2B.  His platoon split was huge. Robinson was drafted in 2010 as an uncommonly polished high-school hitter.  The year matched the results. Myrtle Beach, then Frisco in 2013.

5. RF Joey Butler (Age 26, AAA, .290/.392/.473, 49 XBH, 14% BB rate, 6 SB)

Butler in 2012 he improved his walk rate, struck out less and smacked a career-high 20 homers. He’s a corner outfielder who will be 27 next season.  In a lesser organization, or with the Rangers during the early part of the previous decade, he would have already stepped onto a Major League field. Round Rock or another organization in 2013. 

6. 1B Chris McGuiness (Age 24, AA, .268/.366/.474, 48 XBH, 13% BB rate, 0 SB)

After an injury-plagued 2011, McGuiness showed why Texas wanted him in the Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade.  He ranked fourth in the Texas League in homers (23) and walks (69). McGuiness was in the Arizona Fall League’s Rising Stars game, but he doesn’t hit for average, wasn’t young for the level and plays a position that demands hefty offense.  He has to keep producing.  Round Rock in 2013.

7. 2B Leury Garcia (Age 21, AA, .292/.337/.398, 25 XBH, 5% BB rate, 31 SB)

2012: After an impressive AFL, Garcia made incremental gains offensively and eliminated much of the inconsistency from his dazzling defense at second and short. Slowly, steadily, Garcia has improved. Turns 22 in March, will be at Round Rock in 2013.

8. 2B Odubel Herrera (Age 20, high-A, .284/.335/.382, 33 XBH, 6% BB rate, 27 SB)

Steady, solid. Mixed.  Herrera handled the level and will reach AA as a 21-year-old.  On the downside, another tryout at shortstop proceeded poorly.  Assuming he’s done there, his future depends more heavily on his bat. Frisco in 2013.

9. SS Hanser Alberto (Age 19, low-A and high-A, .299/.327/.410, 39 XBH, 4% BB rate, 24 SB)

Contact-oriented shortstop improved greatly from 2011 at Spokane.  Was in Carolina League while still a teenager and was the youngest hitter with at least 200 plate appearances in the league .  At mid-season, he simply stopped taking pitches, drawing only two walks in his last 78 games. Status is up.  Alberto showed fans what Texas sees in him. Frisco in 2013.  But don’t view a repeat of the Carolina League as a setback.

10. CF Engel Beltre (Age 22, AA, .261/.307/.420, 47 XBH, 4% BB rate, 36 SB)

Beltre hit for power and had his best year in stolen bases. He’s a top-notch defender in center. The power surge is nice, and the statistics, Beltre’s plate approach hasn’t changed.  His percentages of pitches taken, swings-and-misses and other categories were unchanged. Including playoffs, Beltre has played 317 Double-A games. Wow. Round Rock in 2013, if he’s still with the organization.

The final 2012 Rangers exhibition game rapid reaction is being written in a dimly lit bar after a couple of local beers, in my first few hours of vacation. I’m enjoying the company of my friend Matt who traveled from England to visit and go to Rangers games this Saturday and Sunday.

(Photo courtesy of oocities.org.)

Scott Sheldon: Hey coach, put me in!

Johnny Oates: Where?

Sheldon: Everywhere.

Oates: Uh…sure bud.

And so the legend of Scott Sheldon was born…

In an away game against the Chicago White Sox on September 6, 2000, Texas Rangers utility infielder Scott Sheldon, apparently a man of many positions, put a notch in his belt that only two others (at the time) had been able to do.

With the Sox providing a good old fashion butt whooping (10 – 1) after 4 innings of play, Manager Johnny Oates decided it would be a good time for Sheldon to really get involved in the game. So in the bottom of the fourth, the sequence began…

Catcher (4^th Inning) –> First Base (5^th Inning) –> Second Base and Shortstop (6^th Inning) –> Right Field and Center Field (7^th Inning) –> Left Field, Relief Pitcher, and Third Base (8^th Inning) –> ballgame. Final Score: White Sox 13 – Rangers 1

The idea originally took shape in a spring training game of that year. Sheldon would end up playing 8 positions, but did not tow the rubber. It was after that game that Johnny Oates decided this would be the year he would make it happen.

And before doing it against the White Sox, Oates had originally planned on it happening the week after the White Sox game at home in Texas…I guess he couldn’t wait.

The crazy thing, if you notice in the sequence above, is it only took the positional “superstar” 4 innings to accomplish the extraordinary feat. 4 freaking innings to play 9 positions!  

When the dust settled in Chicago, Sheldon would become the third player in the big leagues to play all 9 positions in a single game. He would eventually be joined later that year by Shane Halter (Detroit Tigers). The only two players to precede Sheldon and Halter were Bert Campaneris (Kansas City Athletics) and Cesar Tovar (Minnesota Twins).

Sheldon would later say, “It’s something to be proud of.” I would agree.

(flickr.com/mjl816)

In what was probably his second to last tune up for the season, LH Derek Holland started tonight and threw 99 pitches/ 66 for strikes in five innings.

Holland allowed six runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out three. He gave up his first HR’s [both 2-runs] of the spring, two massive shots to Lorenzo Cain and Billy Butler. These were also the first walks he’s allowed this spring. In an interview with Holland after he came out, he said he wasn’t so much concerned with results, just trying to locate and command his four pitches.

The pitching

RH Carlos Pimentel, who last season pitched at AA Frisco [7-9 4.74 ERA 110 K's], pitched the sixth and gave up two hits and two strikeouts. RH Mark Lowe pitched the seventh and gave up only a lead off double. RH Mike Adams pitched a perfect eighth inning. RH Derek Hankins pitched the ninth and give up one hit, walked one and struck out one. RH Tyler Tufts pitched the tenth and struck out one.

The Bats

Napoli started a 2-out rally in the second with what was the first of his three walks. Murphy then tripled, Torrealba and Gonzalez both singled to bring home two runs. Back-to-back doubles from Young and Beltre tied it in the third.

Possible utility man Alberto Gonzalez had a double, his second hit of the night, and an RBI in the fourth. The utility role will probably come down to the last day, but Gonzalez probably has a slight edge right now.

» Continue reading “Rapid Reaction: Rangers 7, Royals 6″

The Giants’ RH Madison Bumgarner faced off against RH Alexi Ogando. Ogando had no command early in the game with his breaking stuff, but managed to still go 4 2/3 innings, walking three, striking out three and giving up three hits while giving up no runs.

The pitching:

LH Neal Cotts pitched 1 1/3 innings giving up two hits and striking out one. RH Mike Adams pitched a clean inning and also struck out one. LH Robbie Ross, who is making a serious push to make the roster, pitched one inning and struck out one. RH Mark Hamburger, who will not make the club, pitched the ninth, gave up two hits, walked two and gave up the teams only run of the night. Overall the staff walked five and struck out six.

The bats:

Elvis Andrus had an RBI single and a walk. His replacement Luis Hernandez had an RBI in the three-run ninth, along with two RBI from Brandon Snyder. All the runs were two out RBI. Josh Hamilton was the only player with two hits. The team altogether had 13 hits, all singles.

End of the bench notes:

• The Rangers scored a run with a two out rally  in the fifth.
• Torrealba threw out runners in the third and the fifth. He’s 5-6 throwing out runners this spring.
• The Giants Brandon Belt is from Nacogdoches and went to the University of Texas.
• The Giants’ Madison Bumgarner had only walked one in four starts this spring. The Rangers drew two tonight.
• He won’t make the team, but the Rangers Brandon Snyder had a real nice at bat in the ninth inning that resulted in a single and 2 RBI.
• Ian Kinsler had a tremendous defensive play in the seventh to throw out the runner at first.
• The Rangers go to AT&T park to face the Giants June 8-10 this season.
• I was a little concerned I didn’t hear Tom Grieve mention he got any cupcakes or cookies in the booth Friday night.

Up next: The Rangers begin a two-game series with arch division rival the Los Angeles Angels at Surprise Stadium at 3:05 p.m. CDT (Radio: KESN-103.3 FM). RHP Greg Reynolds starts for the Rangers, while LHP Matt Harrison, the regularly-scheduled starter will pitch in a minor league game. RHP Ervin Santana starts for the Angels.

So I attended my first Texas Rangers Spring Training games with the wife as part of our prebaby honeymoon (or practice honeymoon). No, that’s not all we did, but it was a part of it. Anyway, some of my thoughts and observations while attending this wonderful event are listed below. » Continue reading “Texas Rangers: The Todd’s Head To Spring Training!”

The Rangers had spilt squad games today. In this one, Scott Feldman had his first start this spring. He was slated to go 4 or 5 innings or 70 pitches.

Early on it looked as though he could get through 5 only giving up a HR to Jason Kubel through four and working around a leadoff triple in the 2nd inning. In the 5th he ran out of gas and the Diamondbacks scored 5 times. Feldman ended up giving up 5 runs but struck out 5 and walked no one. The top three hitters in the Rangers lineup, Kinsler, Murphy and Young started the game 6-6 and helped give the Rangers an early 3-0 lead.

The arms: RHP Koji Uehara’s struggles continued after replacing Feldman. He gave up a 2 run HR to his first batter, Kubel and then walked his second batter (who he later picked off at first). Uehara’s command was terrible today going 1 1/3 innings giving up 4 hits, 3 runs and walking one. LHP Miguel De Los Santos followed in the 7th.  He gave up a lead-off walk and nothing more. RHP Jacob Brigham pitched the 8th, gave up a hit and struck out one. LHP Ben Snyder had a 1-2-3 9th inning including a strikeout. As a staff today they had 7 strikeouts, 2 walks and gave up 2 HR’s.

The bats: Kinsler had 2 doubles, a HR and scored three times. Murphy had 2 singles and started a two out rally in the 2nd inning. Young had an RBI double and singled. Napoli had a sac fly, walked, singled and scored. Engel Beltre had two hits, an RBI and played CF. Mike Olt had a single.

End of the bench notes: 

• Fox Sports reporter Jeff Wilson says first round of cuts are coming Monday
• Fort Worth native and  former Ranger Ryan Roberts played third base for the Diamondbacks
• Brad Hawpe [1B], Conner Jackson [LF],  Greg Miclat, Luis Hernandez [SS] and Alberto Gonzalez [2B], all vying for a roster spot, saw playing time. Hawpe and Miclat had singles.
• Kinsler’s HR was his second of the spring

(Photo courtesy of flickr.com user Keith Allison.)

Oy, more rockiness against the Rockies. Could it be any more ironic? Man, what happened boys? I’m starting to get used to the no pitching during Spring Training, but no hitting either?

No office baseball today people….even though I’m pretty sure I would have looked better with my rubberband ball than the Rangers did today.

Nefty had a pretty good start, striking out Young and Tulowitzki and getting Scutaro to fly out in the first. In the second, he gave up back to back doubles and the Rockies were on the board 1-0.

MINI RANT: Is anyone else convinced that Neftali Feliz should NOT be a starter? Don’t get me wrong- I love the guy- I just don’t think he has the mental capacity to be a legit starter. Someone please wake up and get that guy back to the pen STAT!

» Continue reading “Texas Rangers: No Fireworks For The Rangers”