Rumor Has It Vol. 17

First things first, the state of the website. As you can tell it�s been kind of slow around here. There�s really two reasons for that: One, there isn�t a hell of a lot going on out there. The only news worth mentioning so far this week was that the Drew Meyer made it through waivers and was outrighted to OKC and the Rangers signed a guy who was a Rule 5 draft pick over a decade ago. The Sosa deal is still being hammered out so it�s been relatively quiet aside from those two little tidbits as far as major news stories go.

Secondly, Jason Cole from the Young Guns page and I have spearheaded another website focusing on covering the Rangers and our efforts have shifted for the time being to get that one up and in ship-shape. And with Austin busy being studious, hence the lull that has been happening around these parts lately. Hey, at least the server has fought off death! Over there on the right you should find the link for our new Rangers Insider website on Scout.com.

On to what little news that�s out there�

Earlier this week, Ron Washington stated that Ian Kinsler could bat as low as ninth when the club is facing a righty. If it�s a lefty and Frank Catalanotto isn�t in the lineup, Ian will probably bat second. Unless you�re an active subscriber to the theory that all rookie players suffer through the dreaded and feared sophomore slump, this is a good move. In essence, having Kins batting ninth gives the Rangers a second leadoff hitter

Tomo Ohka just became possibly the first asian player to wear a Blue Jays uniform yesterday. Out of all the candidates available for the Rangers to pick up as a possible insurance policy should the starting rotation start getting pummeled by injuries, I happen to think he was about the strongest one out there. Among some of the others left out there that the Rangers have shown some interest in, you will find the likes of Bruce Chen and Ryan Drese.

Yes, that Ryan Drese.

Seriously, if it at any point this season there comes a time where either one of those two guys are getting into games then I may cry in my bleacher seats.

BRIEFLY

Former Ranger news�.It looks like Tampa Bay will be the next home of one-time prized possession Carlos Pena. He would likely end up in a fight with the likes of Ty Wigginton, Greg Norton and Hee-Seop Choi for some regular to semi-regular playing time�..Antonio Alfonseca just inked a one year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies�.And Jim Leyritz is reportedly considering a comeback this season at the age of 43. He hasn�t played since 2000 when he appeared in 65 games for the Yanks and Dodgers.