The Texas Rangers have taken a cheap gambled on centerfielder Andruw Jones has they have signed him to a minor league contract for the 2009 season. Jones played with the Dodgers last season but was released over the offseason. The Dodgers will be paying half of his salary since they released him.

The contract will pay $500,000 if Jones remains in the minor leagues and atleast $1 million of Jones makes the big league roster. To reach the full $1 million and bonuses, Jones would need to be an everyday regular player. There is also a March 20th opt out clause that Jones can use if it doesn’t look like he will make the big league roster out of spring training.

Everyday Eddie Guardado is coming back to the Texas Rangers it appears. The deal will be a non-roster contract so he will have to earn his way onto the 25 man roster during Spring Traning but I’m sure he can help out the Rangers bullpen and shouldn’t have a problem making the active roster.

The deal could ultimately be worth more than $3 million should Guardado make the big-league club and meet all performance incentives, and it could include some form of no-trade protection.

The Texas Rangers have signed three pitchers to minor league contracts and invited all three players to spring training. Derrick Turnbow, Casey Daigle and Elizardo Ramirez are the newest members of the Rangers as of the first of the year.

Turnbow will probably make the roster and pitch out of the bullpen. He could even be a closer if needed but will probably by used more as a setup man.

I would expect to see Daigle and Ramirez in Triple-A to begin the season but could earn call ups if they throw the ball well in Triple-A Oklahoma.

The Texas Rangers and Detroit Tigers worked out a trade on Sunday that sent backup catcher Gerald Laird to the Tigers in exchange for two minor league pitching prospects. Guillermo Moscoso and Carlos Melo will be coming to the Rangers but do not expect to see them make the jump to the big league roster anytime soon in my opinion.

Moscoso went 5-4 with a 2.70 earned run average as a starter and reliever between Class A Lakeland and Double-A Erie and struck out 122 batters in 86 2/3 innings. Melo went 3-3 with a 5.14 ERA over 14 games in the Dominican Summer League.

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have locked up starting second basemen Ian Kinsler for the next five years with a $22 million dollar contract.  The contract also includes a club option for a sixth year which would push the total over $32 million dollars.  Kinsler should be very happy with this deal as he just locked himself up for life with that kind of money!

What do you think Rangers fans?  Could deal to keep Kinsler in Arlington for the next five years?

Rangers Blog

Kevin Mench is heading back to the Texas Rangers after signing a one year minor league contract.  Mench says he will report to Triple A if he does not make the big league roster out of spring training.  However, if he isn’t on the big league roster as of June 1, he will become a free agent and can sign with any other team.

Mench is heading downhill at this point in his career.  He could help out some teams, but is it worth it for them to play him when they could let a younger player get some experience at the big league level?  I would rather go with the younger prospect at this point in Mench’s career.

Rangers Blog

The Texas Rangers picked up a starting pitcher on Thursday to add to their starting pitching rotation.  Jason Jennings and the Rangers agreed on a one year deal worth $4 million dollars.  Jennings got a pretty deal from the Rangers who really need some pitching help.  I don’t know if I agree with that amount of money, but when you need pitching you are going to have to pay for it.

What do you other Ranger’s fans think?  Did they overpay for Jason Jennings?

Rangers Blog

Outfielder Marlon Byrd has decided to sign a one year contract with the Texas Rangers.  The Contract will be for $1.8 million dollars.  Pretty good money for Byrd would will pretty much just be a bench player and fill in for Josh Hamilton or Milton Bradley.

There were rumors a few weeks ago that the Chicago Cubs were looking to sign Byrd, but that didn’t happen and he is back with the Texas Rangers.  I really don’t think he will help the team out that much to be honest.  What do you think?  Should the Rangers have just used a younger player to take Byrd’s spot on the roster?

Rangers Blog

There is a new Texas Rangers Blog on ther Internet, and RangersHomePlate is the name!  RangersHomePlate will be your one stop shop for everything involving the Texas Rangers.  We will be blogging about the games, trades, rumors, and what the Rangers should do via free agency and the draft.  We will also give you great coupon codes for Rangers Tickets and Merchandise!

Will this be the year that the Rangers are able to make it into the postseason?  Can the team stay healthy enough to make a serious run at the playoffs?  I don’t think they will do it this year, but two or three years down the road I see them being a contender if managment makes the right moves and puts some more money into the team.  Hopefully the Rangers will play some good baseball, and the fans will get out there and support the team!  Go Rangers in 08!