Forgot to mention this, but on Saturday, Richard Hidalgo was placed on the DL. Uh, why are we going to bring him back? I think we can survive quite nicely the rest of the season with an outfield of:
LF – David Dellucci
CF – Gary Matthews Jr
RF – Kevin Mench
Someone will have to sit if Hidalgo is activated again, can it be Hidalgo?

In a move that strikes me as a desperation move than anything else, Steve Karsay was purchased from AA Frisco today (did he bring anything from Ikea? ). To make room for him on the roster, we designated Ron Mahay for assignment.
Mahay hasn’t been pitching well this year, so I suppose it’s probably good in that regard, but Karsay isn’t exactly lighting the world on fire for me – I suppose he’s up for the “veteran leadership” thing we always hear about guys who have been around for awhile, but I feel it’s more the “fresh arm” reason.
It’s not quite a “yawn” move, but it doesn’t strike me as anything that’s gonna strike fear in the hearts of any of our opponents.

In an article in today’s Ft Worth Star, Kathleen O Brien reports that KRLD and the Rangers will announce a 5 year extension of the deal that permits KRLD to broadcast Rangers games. While I don’t have a problem with their reception (generally), I do have a problem in that KRLD has eliminated the call-in show after the games.
As I have a really long drive home from the ballpark, the postgame show that is on usually is over about halfway home. For years I loved the post game show on my drive back to Garland from Arlington. It was a lifeline if there was any kind of traffic jam.
I would have liked a move to FM radio however, if for clearer broadcasting. I really hope KRLD will return the post game call in show to the air. I miss that a lot. Anyone else?

Update 4: This seems to be official now as the Rangers site has an official announcement about it here. Phil Nevil will wear uniform #25, which was previously worn this season by Marshall McDougall.

In a move I bet not a single Ranger fan saw coming, Chan Ho Park was pulled from tonight’s start about 30 minutes ago. At the time it wasn’t known why, but when the Rangers TV coverage came on, they said it was due to a possible transaction.
Phil Nevin’s stats on mlb.com.
Wow was that a stunning development!! And straight up for Phil Nevin, too. I’m not entirely sure how Nevin will fit into our lineup, probably as a RH DH mostly, plus backup to Tex and Blalock, plus he can catch a bit, so he could be the third catcher. Jamey Newberg sent along these details in an update:

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that Chan Ho Park has already agreed to waive his no-trade clause, paving the way for the Park-Phil Nevin trade to be made official. The Rangers must secure Park’s consent in writing and deliver it to the Commissioner’s office to make the deal official.

Salary Stuff:
2005: $15,000,000 (Park) – $9,492,689 (Nevin)
2006: $14,000,000 (Park) – $11,000,000 (Nevin)
2007: $2 Million (Nevin) – deferred signing bonus
Hopefully we’re not sending a LOT of cash to the Padres, as it’s not a huge difference in salaries here.
This is definitely some major news. I think everyone expected the player to be shipped out would be Alfonso Soriano, but it appears that the big names in that trade from the Mets are involved in that big 3 team trade between the Red Sox / Devil Rays / Mets, so that’s probably not happening, either.
Update: Another holdup is because we’re sending cash to the Padres. How much is unknown at the moment, but that’s why we’re waiting on the commissioner’s office. Here’s the relevant bit from an AP news story on the matter:

Approval was needed because the deal involves the Rangers sending cash to San Diego to help offset the money remaining on the $65 million, five-year contract Park signed with Texas before the 2002 season.

Update 2: There’s an article on MLB.com about Phil Nevin’s thoughts on the trade. Click here to view that.
Update 3: I have details on the salary stuff up now.

The Rangers acquired two pitchers today. Neither of which will probably make a major impact.
1) James Baldwin claimed on waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
2) Kevin Grybowski acquired via trade from the Atlanta Braves for Matt Lorenzo.
James Baldwin used to be someone who scared me years ago when he was with the White Sox. I hated facing him, as the Rangers never seemed to be able to get him out. However, looking at his stats over the last few years, I can see why he’s bounced around and was placed on waivers. Not sure what they see in him, unless it’s just an arm to have. His 2005 numbers seem to be a little better than his usual career numbers, but I don’t see a lot of upside to this. I see this move as Pedro Astacio II.
Kevin Grybowski on the other hand appears like he could make a difference in our bullpen, which has been ravaged lately. In 2005, he’s appeared in 31 games, has an ERA of 2.95, given up 24 hits, 12 walks, 8 strikeouts, and 7 earned runs. I’m not sure whether he’s a flyball or a sinkerball pitcher or what, but if those numbers translate here, then he’ll probably do well.
Will have to see what other moves have been made to accomodate this on the major league level. As I write this, there’s no mention of it on the Rangers site, there probably will be some more news closer to the start of tonight’s game.
Update: There a news story on the Rangers site about it now (link). However, they haven’t been added to the 25 man roster yet; the press release saying they’ll be added sometime during the series with Oakland. Probably after Kenny’s hearing tomorrow depending on what happens with a further appeal.

I see Laynce Nix has been put on the DL again. If he had been an 8 year veteran, I’d call him Rusty Greer. He dives all over the place, but is getting hurt a lot. Difference between Nix and Greer seems to be Nix has more power.
As for Botts, he’s definitely someone that deserves to be up here, although I would have though it would have done away with Hidalgo when he got here. Anyway, hopefully Botts doesn’t rot on the bench, which is something I think is a legit concern. Coming to the majors is a big step, and some guys can get sapped when they’re bought up as big prospects, and spend most of their time on the bench.

So, Kenny Rogers is going to the All-Star game. Will he get booed during the player introductions on Tuesday?
I would tend to think yes. I’m not terribly surprised (just a little) at the lovefest he got here in Arlington. But on the national stage where he’s still getting railed on, I would expect he’d be booed pretty well during the player intros.
Thoughts? You can vote in the poll and discuss this on this thread in my online forums.

Tex was selected to be in the 2005 All-Star Home Run Derby as the United States representative. They’re changing the format a little this year. Still has 8 players, but they’re from a different country.
Tex is the US rep. Apparently it was initially offered to Derrek Lee of the Cubs, who is having a spectacular season, but he bowed out as he just got hurt yesterday, so it falls to Tex, who appears to be really relishing the chance, according to this article over on the DMN site.
Pudge is in the Derby as well – hopefully Pudge will do better than the one HR he got the last time he did this back in Atlanta. I’m sure Pudge will be the favored guy, as the All Star game is in Detroit. Would be nice to see Pudge take it for the “local boy” factor of it.
The guys that I know of are Andruw Jones (ATL), Bobby Abreu (PHI), Mark Teixeira (TEX), Jason Pay (PIT), Ivan Rodriguez (DET), David Ortiz (BOS), Carlos Lee (MIL). That’s 7. Not sure who the other guy is at the moment – if you know, please add a comment. Thanks.

Well, Kenny finally talked. He apologized for his tirade against various cameras and media members. According to this article on the Texas Rangers site (which includes a link to an audio clip of what he said), he still hasn’t made up his mind about the All-Star Game.
Personally I think he should sit out. Yes, the rules state that he’s allowed to go pending an appeal hearing, but it’s kind of tacky. You know if he’s there, he’ll get it from the media during press day. They’ll be talking about it on TV when he’s there. While I don’t condone what he did, I’d rather folks stop talking about it. The story needs to go away, and his being at the All Star game will likely bring up a fresh round of all this.
Saying he “failed miserably” is a bit of an understatement, especially since violence was involved. I still think the ban should be more than 20 games because he’s a pitcher. Would he have been suspended just 4 games if he was a position player? No – pitchers should be suspended an equal number of games, I think it should be about appearances. However, if anything, the number will go down after the appeal – it always does.
Let’s see if this apology has any impact on his current perception in the media.

Only 20? I always felt that suspensions for pitchers should be logner, because that would really only be 4 games he’d miss. Probably impacts his pocketbook more than his on the field play, as he’s a starting pitcher.
Story on DMN | Press Release on MLB.com | MLB.Com News Story.