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Been taking it easy from reporting as you’ve noticed. I’m going to have a few words to say about a few recent events in Rangers Land.
1) Promotions Schedule: First off, I know I mentioned this the last time I did one of these kinds of updates, but I feel so strongly about it that I wanted to repeat it. The Rangers released the 2008 promotions schedule. It has the usual gaggle of things – Dollar hot dogs, fireworks, bobbleheads, caps, etc, etc… One thing that is worth nothing that I think needs to be pointed out. You know how in the last year or so the Rangers got in on that “We’re going to charge more for higher profile games” (Read: Opening Day, Yankees, Red Sox)? Well, guess what? All the games that have pre or post game concerts, as well as all fireworks games are now part of this “premium pricing” thing. That’s right, you’re gonna pay a few more bucks just for that. Guess they got tired of footing the bill for the fireworks show.
Don’t let them fool you when they say it’s a free fireworks show. It ain’t. :(
2) Kaz Fukumori finally added to roster: The Rangers finally added Fukomori to the 40 man roster on the 14th, after having announced his signing back on December 14th. He sat in roster purgatory in the meantime, but since he wasn’t an MLB player before that, I’d wager there’s some fiddly obscure rules. The casualty of this move was recently acquired first baseman Chris Shelton. Hardly knew ‘ye, Chris. I guess that makes more space/time for Ben Broussard. (Story)
3) Marlon Byrd signed: Marlon Byrd was signed to a contract for 2008, avoiding arbitration. He was the fan choice in 2007 to be the starting center fielder this year. Given our moves since then, I seriously doubt he’ll get that job unless there’s some big health problems in spring training. Byrd got $1.8 million. For a fourth outfielder, that’s not a bad payday. As I’ve said before, I remember Byrd from his days in Philadelphia. One of those “great promise” guys who shows flashes of brilliance, but never completely turns on the light bulb. Not sure what will happen in 2008 (Bradley, Hamilton), but I don’t see him getting as much playing time in 2008, assuming he’s here. As I write this on the 19th, there’s been some talk the last few days about a possible trade with the Cubs for Byrd. Assuming everyone’s healthy, this would be a logjam freeing move, but my gut feeling is that we hang onto Byrd going into the season at least. (Story)
4) Jason Jennings signed: There’d been talk for awhile now about the Rangers looking for a middle tier (cheap?) veteran reliever to join our rotation. They found one. Jason Jennings, of recent Houston vintage. Jennings is a local boy, having been born in Dallas. Had a horrendous year in Houston last year, going 2-9 with a 6.45 ERA. He had a decent ERA in 2006 (3.something) in Colorado, and could be OK if all the planets align. But I’m tired of these guys who “could” work out if everything goes right. So here I am again hoping everything goes right. Sigh. Also, there’s been no corresponding 40 man roster move for this, so he hasn’t “officially” been put on the roster yet as I write this. (Story)
5) Bill White ‘re-‘signed: Somewhat serviceable relief pitcher Bill White was resigned to a minor league contract after having been waived and removed from the 40 man roster. Not a move that will get anyone jumping up and down, but he wasn’t too bad in 07. Could be a nice roster emergency piece should you need it. (Story)
6) Gerald Laird signed: Gerald Laird was signed to a 2008 contract, avoiding arbitration. Laird will make $1.6 Million in 08 (over his 450k in 07). He completely tanked at the plate offensively in 2007, but if you’re reading this site, then you should know about Gerald already. I still have to admit to being surprised that they announced that Salty will be the primary catcher in 08 awhile ago. One would think you’d go into it with competition. I can hear the interviews already in spring training on TV with Gerald. His reply will go something like “I’ve always had to fight for my job with this organization, this year will be no different.” The only question is on what date will we get to hear him say that on TV? My gut feeling is we’re hanging on to him long enough to trade him, given the catching depth we have in the minors long term. (Story)

I get an instant message from Jamey Newberg last night asking me if I had quit the blog (I did kind of say I might do that in September). So I posted this. Now I’m on my fourth post in the last 24 hours. Thanks Jamey! :)
Since my last post earlier this morning, a few things have happened, and a couple since last night.
1) Guardardo signing official: The Rangers officially signed Eddie Guardardo today. One year contract for $2 million, plus another possible FOUR million in incentives. Sounds like a similar deal (with less raw dollars) than the deal they gave Eric Gagne last off season. Somehow I don’t think Everyday Eddie will be a) everyday, and b) as good as Gagne. The stated reasons are probably viable, they need some sort of established veteran presence in the pen. Two million isn’t a huge loss if Eddie blows his arm out. I’m indifferent towards this one.
2) Jamey Wright resigned: Jamey Wright who had some surprisingly decent numbers last year with us was resigned to a one year minor league deal, which has an invite to spring training. Jamey was someone I did not want to like – I originally disliked the signing. It worked out better than I thought, he was pretty good out of the pen once he got there. Had a 2.05 ERA in 11 appearances. I would have thought he deserved better than a minor league deal, but oh well.
3) Bill White released: Bill White one of the lesser names in our pen last season was placed on waivers for the purpose of being released earlier this week. This made room for the Guardardo signing. Read tonight that he cleared waivers, and we’re trying to resign him to a minor league deal. Eh.
4) Ticket Prices go up again: Sorta. The expensive seats that your average fan can’t buy anyway are getting more expensive. Fine, they can gouge the boob job & cocaine crowd all they want. For those regular fans, we’ll be in the cheap seats. I’d like to point out now though that the seats at the upper most part of the park are the same price as the first row seats downstairs were in 1994 when the place opened ($16). Those tickets are now $125 each.
5) Kazuo Fukumori: He was announced as signed, but when he was “signed”, we had a full 40 man roster. The next person to be dropped was Bill White, and he was moved out to make room for Guardardo. So unless I totally missed something, Fukumori isn’t “officially” signed yet. What’s going on with this?
6) Promotions schedule: The Rangers released the 2008 promotions schedule. It has the usual gaggle of things – Dollar hot dogs, fireworks, bobbleheads, caps, etc, etc… One thing that is worth nothing that I think needs to be pointed out.
You know how in the last year or so the Rangers got in on that “We’re going to charge more for higher profile games” (Read: Opening Day, Yankees, Red Sox)? Well, guess what? All the games that have pre or post game concerts, as well as all fireworks games are now part of this “premium pricing” thing. That’s right, you’re gonna pay a few more bucks just for that. Guess they got tired of footing the bill for the fireworks show.
Don’t let them fool you when they say it’s a free fireworks show. It ain’t. :(