The Fans Weigh In

Renee Pineda Written love u Nolan..Thank u for putting teams together that took us t0 2 world series...

Linda Loucks Nolan need to stay and get reed of that scout.He's hurting the Ranger's we're losing all of our great players.

Dawn Johnson years ago, i remember someone coming in to the cowboys, moved every one around and pushed out tom landry. why do i get the feeling that this is going to happen here? nolan has been by this team for years, he has been in baseball, his heart is baseball. more than i can say for ahem what is that school boys name? u can't replace experience with money, nolan sees promise in players. he has been there. just looking at stats isn't enough to judge a player. nolan knows that. they need to watch more sesame street, the one word that comes to mind is compromise. if they really want him to stay, compromise.

Michael D. Epperson Somebody tell me how JD gets a promotion after the worst off season ever. Biggest move of off season was signing 3 catchers , none of which were named Napoli, Dumped off MY and had to send 6 million to the Phils for them to take him (great negotiating!). Let Josh walk away from Texas mad and did nothing to improve the team from last year. I thought you could only get nothing done and get promoted as a politician. If were gonna get crazy lets promote Ron Washington to president, that would at least get him on the field . oh wait that would be a good thing.

Mary Lou Williams It is hard to believe that JD can get a promotion after this off season!

Mark Barbin I can just see John Daniels, little boy he is, turning into another Jerry Jones. If Nolan Ryan leaves, I hope the players push HIM out.

Leticia Martinez Solis TEXAS RANGERS WAKE UP! Ryan changed our team. Don't get greedy and push him out or change his role on how team is handled. Remember RYAN made the change to out team. NOT Daniel! ever heard " If it aint broke, don't fix it" RYAN got us to 2 world series. Leave him ALONE.

Alan Collard Its time to get rid of John Daniels. What hs he done to deserve the promotion he got the other day. You must remember he was an Hicks man and did he do any thing for Hicks back then. Nolan built the team we have today. So unless you ranger owners are ready to recieve a lot of tickets from fans wanting their money back, best make peace with Mr. Ryan.

Tom Harkness Has Ray Davis & Bob Simpson annouced they are selling their shares in the Texas Rangers yet ? ......Their decision to quit baseball should be a no brainer for these two, after their apparent lack of baseball inteligence. Fire Daniels & George and KEEP NOLAN RYAN.

Cindy Tune Nolan took us the the World Series. 'nuf said.

The Emilie Parker Memorial Fund

Over the last several days, you've heard the story of Emilie Parker, one of 20 children who tragically lost their lives in last week's Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Her father, Robert, is a Texas Rangers fan, and her uncle, Jeremie, lives in the DFW area. You've also seen this picture of Emilie and her father:

You've also watched her father's powerful press conference:

And read her father's poignant statement of gratitude:

We have been very humbled at the response received over the past few days and by the countless kind gestures, words and prayers offered to every family of every victim. I am grateful that the words spoken on Saturday night have found a way to be of comfort to some. The numerous requests to learn more about our dear Emilie have been truly humbling. Although no one can be prepared what to do at a time like this, I do know for certain that it is imperative that we all spend more time with our families and focus on those who are most precious in our lives.

May we use all our energy and strength to overcome this terrible tragedy. May we focus our energy on those who were taken from us and let their memories inspire us to do good. May we look for opportunities to give service and work toward bettering our communities. I feel that if we can do these things we will again feel empowered, and we will make a difference. Remember these beautiful children; keep them close to our hearts. Do not let their bright shining faces become extinguished. Let us do everything in our power to ensure their light will continue to shine brighter and brighter in all we do to remember them.

Adam is currently running a donation drive to the Emilie Parker Memorial Fund on Lone Star Ball, and Jamey will be collecting donations for the Emilie Parker Memorial Fund at the Newberg Report Bound Edition release party at Sherlock's in Arlington. It's my understanding that the Texas Rangers will be making their own donation, as well. There are numerous other collections being taken up both online and in person for the Emilie Parker Memorial Fund and other funds going to benefit the families of the victims, and the outpouring of public support in the wake of this senseless tragedy is a beautiful, bright light in a dark time. 

BBTiA will also be collecting donations for the Emilie Parker Memorial Fund. If you would like to make a contribution through BBTiA, send your contribution via PayPal to joey.matschulat@gmail.com -- I will be sending the total contribution early next week. Or you can contribute through LSB, or at Jamey's party, or however you'd prefer to do it. If you have the means and the inclination to contribute, your genorosity will be felt regardless of which contribution channel you select.

Rest In Peace, Ryan Freel

Former major league utility man Ryan Freel committed suicide yesterday. He was 36 years old. The grisly details are available here. Freel finished his professional career as a member of the 2009 Triple-A Oklahoma City RedHawks, who were at the time still a Rangers minor league affiliate ... Texas signed him in late August, then told him that he would not have an opportunity to crack the expanded roster in September, and after two games Freel decided that he didn't want to play for Oklahoma City without any possibility of a call-up and asked for his release.

I don't know whether it's appropriate or not to bring up concussions as a possible reason why Freel made the tragic decision to take his own life, but it's going to end up out there anyway, and, frankly, the extent of Freel's head injuries shocked and saddened me:

On May 28, 2007, Freel was injured in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates when chasing a deep drive to right-center field. Freel and right fielder Norris Hopper collided, resulting in Freel's head and neck hitting Hopper and finally the warning track. He was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was reported to be coherent with feeling in his extremities. Freel began working out on June 15, about 2 weeks after the collision. He was briefly sent to the AAA Louisville Bats for rehabilitation. Freel began getting random headaches and pains in his head, which delayed his return for another 2 weeks. On July 3, 2007, 1 month and 5 days after the accident, Freel returned to play for the Cincinnati Reds and was healthy until being placed on the 15-day DL with torn cartilage in his right knee on August 7.

In 2009 with the Baltimore Orioles, he was hit by a pickoff throw in the head while on 2nd base. He was put on the Disabled List after the injury.

[...]

He also was known for going all out. He dived into the grass, the dirt and the stands chasing after balls. He would crash into fences. He would collide with teammates. And all of the violence against his body caused him significant harm. Freel said in 2007 after a particularly brutal collision with teammate Norris Hopper that he had "probably nine or 10" concussions in his life, but he couldn't remember for certain.

I don't know what triggered Freel's terrible choice to take his own life. I don't know if he was experiencing personal problems or money problems or health problems or something else serious enough to push him over the edge. From the perspective of an outsider, though, it's hard to imagine someone with a wife and two daughters depriving them of his existence while possibly being in his right mind. I can't wrap my head around it. 

If concussions are eventually proven to be the main cause behind yesterday's tragic events, then I can only hope Freel's story will serve an instructive purpose for future generations of baseball players ... and regardless of whether or not this was concussion-driven, I hope Freel's loved ones can someday find peace and closure in his untimely departure from this earth.

A Day In The Life Of A.J. Pierzynski: Day 1

Wherein I introduce a new series where we take a moment each day to appreciate a moment in the kickass life of A.J. Pierzynski:

Rangers Claim LHP Jeff Beliveau Off Waivers From Cubs

Oh well would you look at that, a WILD TRANSACTION APPEARS:

Rangers claim LHP Jeff Beliveau on waivers from Chicago Cubs. Roster now at 40.

— John Blake (@RangerBlake) December 21, 2012

So, then, we turn to Beliveau's minor league numbers (aside from the below numbers, he amassed 17.2 innings of high-strikeout, high-walk, high-homer relief work out of the Cubs' bullpen last season):

Year	Age	Tm	Lev	Aff	ERA	G	GS	IP	HBP	WP	BF	WHIP	H/9	HR/9	BB/9	SO/9	SO/BB
2008	21	2 Teams	A--Rk	CHC	2.80	14	7	35.1	5	2	161	1.557	6.6	0.3	7.4	13.2	1.79
2009	22	Peoria	A	CHC	3.54	29	7	96.2	7	7	414	1.262	7.2	0.5	4.2	10.9	2.60
2010	23	2 Teams	A+-A	CHC	2.66	46	0	64.1	3	1	269	1.181	6.6	0.7	4.1	13.6	3.34
2011	24	2 Teams	AA-A+	CHC	1.57	53	0	74.1	3	1	289	0.928	6.1	0.8	2.3	10.8	4.68
2012	25	Iowa	AAA	CHC	3.89	37	0	44.0	0	2	190	1.409	9.0	0.8	3.7	10.6	2.89
5 Seasons					2.86	179	14	314.2	18	13	1323	1.220	7.0	0.6	4.0	11.6	2.91
A (2 seasons)			A		3.33	35	7	108.0	8	8	458	1.241	6.9	0.5	4.2	11.7	2.75
A+ (2 seasons)			A+		2.30	52	0	70.1	4	0	294	1.180	6.9	0.5	3.7	12.0	3.24
AA (1 season)			AA		1.89	41	0	57.0	1	1	220	0.877	5.8	1.1	2.1	10.9	5.31
Rk (1 season)			Rk		13.50	1	0	0.2	0	1	4	3.000	13.5	0.0	13.5	13.5	1.00
A- (1 season)			A-		2.60	13	7	34.2	5	1	157	1.529	6.5	0.3	7.3	13.2	1.82
AAA (1 season)			AAA		3.89	37	0	44.0	0	2	190	1.409	9.0	0.8	3.7	10.6	2.89

And Jason Cole's scouting snapshot:

Beliveau: Four-pitch lefty. 26 next month. Low-90s fastball, cutter, curveball, changeup. Reliever who notched some big league time last yr.

— Jason Cole (@LoneStarDugout) December 21, 2012

Beliveau gives Texas another lefty to throw into their growing bucket of pitchers who they're going to throw at the wall in the spring to see who sticks, and with yesterday's signing of Yoshinori Tateyama to a minor league deal, I guess you can say that the Rangers' bullpen depth is sort of coming back together. Sort of. After Nathan/Ross/Scheppers, though, this is still a pretty major crapshoot.

In a related development, the Rangers will need to make a 40-man roster move once A.J. Pierzynski passes his physical (a mere formality, in all likelihood), and the smart money is on Eli Whiteside being the corresponding roster cut. 

The Baseball Apocalypse

A couple of my favorites from the "baseball apocalypse" niche. Original sources here and here.

* * * * *

* * * * *

Twenty-five years ago they spotted it, fifteen years ago they plotted it, and five years ago they tried to stop it, but the nukes weren't enough. And there was no time or technology to try anything else. Two years ago the spot in the Urals where the asteroid 17045-2003AF is going to hit was narrowed to a hundred-metre square, and the evacuation began. Now humanity, huddling far below the horizons around me as the red glow overhead slowly grows, is a few minutes away from almost total incineration. The hammer of God is coming.

I have known I wanted to come here from the minute I heard the nuclear missiles had failed to divert the rock sufficiently from its course. I knew I wanted to take a shot, the one-in-a-billion shot. I used to play professionally, after all, and I know that humanity, except for a lucky twelve thousand, is going to be extinct after this whatever happens. I have no close friends, no family. I have nothing to lose.

I turn my eyes from the bitter wind and stare upwards. I'm hoping that nobody knows I'm here. I wouldn't want them all to be pinning their hopes on me, because I honestly have no idea what will happen next. All of humanity is going to be annihilated today. I'm just going to be the first. Unless there's a miracle.

The redness high above me is a glowing, growing glare now, occupying more sky than anything I've ever seen. I'm not used to this angle. I can see distant cloud formations being torn apart as it descends, cutting a swathe over the Pole directly towards this mountaintop. Size - we've all known since '03 that it had half the diameter of the Moon, but I never realised how small I had mentally interpreted that as up until now, and I see it, filling an entire hemisphere of my consciousness with hellish orange flame. It's not a thing in the sky anymore, the sky itself is on fire, and it's falling. Nothing that big should be airborne, and in a minute, it won't be. Wind is starting to pick up. It's getting warmer. I can't make this hit. There's still ten seconds until it reaches me. Gravity's getting ever so slightly weaker.

I'm gonna be toast before it even gets close. This was an insane idea. Only God Himself could make this hit. This is it, this the end of the world. I'm no saviour. I'm just a nut with a baseball bat.

Closing my eyes against the howling wind and whipping dust, attempting to block my ears against the ascending roar, and bracing my feet against the slippery mud and melting snow, I keep my stance. I count down the last few seconds from my wristwatch, and swing blindly. The bat connects

Cubs Sign Anibal Sanchez To Five-Year Deal

Per Bob Nightengale. Financial terms have not yet been disclosed, although Robothal just tweeted that it was a possible five-year, $75 million commitment, and Nightengale just confirmed that the Cubs signed him to a five-year deal. Texas had reportedly mulled the idea of going after Sanchez, but never seemed particularly serious about pursuing him.

R.A. DICKEY OR BUST, YOU GUYS.

Today's Explosive Josh Hamilton Polls

Nine days ago, a bunch of you voted on the possibility of Texas signing Hamilton to a four-year, $95-100 million deal with a fifth-year option, and the majority of you said that you would do that deal.

Today, we have two poll questions. First, the obligatory matching poll (keeping in mind that the Rangers never would have done $125 million on Hamilton even if he had allowed them the opportunity to match the Angels' offer):

And second, which may be the more interesting poll:

Rangers Sign Eli Whiteside, Brandon Snyder

This changes everything, you guys:

Rangers have claimed C Eli Whiteside on waivers from Toronto Blue Jays. Club also re-signed INF Brandon Snyder to minor league contract.

— John Blake (@RangerBlake) December 12, 2012

Snyder is the known quantity here, the former first-round pick whom the Rangers brought in last winter and ultimately slotted into their Opening Day roster as a four-corners bench player with some utility as a lefty-masher ... however, Snyder amassed only 69 major league PA on the season, and he was ultimately supplanted by Mike Olt down the stretch, with Snyder likely not figuring into the 2013 big league picture in any meaningful way. You could do worse in a pinch, though.

Whiteside, however, is better known for being handed off from the Giants to the Yankees to the Blue Jays (and now to the Rangers) in the span of a few short months, and as you might expect, there's a good reason for that -- he's a catcher who can't hit even a little bit:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	HR	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
2005	25	BAL	AL	9	12	0	0	2	.250	.250	.250	.500	35
2009	29	SFG	NL	49	134	2	4	30	.228	.269	.339	.607	58
2010	30	SFG	NL	56	141	4	8	35	.238	.299	.397	.696	89
2011	31	SFG	NL	82	236	4	18	59	.197	.264	.310	.574	63
2012	32	SFG	NL	12	14	0	1	4	.091	.214	.182	.396	16
5 Yrs				208	537	10	31	130	.215	.273	.335	.608	67

Bob Nightengale said on Twitter that the Rangers "found their backup catcher" in Whiteside, but I have a very difficult time believing that the Rangers are going to be okay with going into the season with Geovany Soto and Eli Whiteside as their one-two catching tandem ... this, I think, is your generic "let's enhance the catching depth a little bit in case everything else completely goes to hell" kind of move, with Whiteside joining Soto, Konrad Schmidt, and Luis Martinez to become the fourth catcher on the Rangers' 40-man roster. Soto may be the last man standing from that group three months from now. 

Rosenthal: Napoli-To-BOS Deal May Be In "Jeopardy"

Robothal's latest:

Could Mike Napoli’s deal with the Boston Red Sox be in jeopardy?

The Red Sox anticipated introducing Napoli at a news conference Tuesday, according to major-league sources, but did not go forward with the event.

Napoli, 31, reached agreement with the Red Sox on Dec. 3 on a three-year, $39 million free-agent contract, pending a physical.

Initial reports from ESPN.com and the Providence Journal said that Napoli’s physical was scheduled for last Wednesday, with an announcement expected at week’s end.

Napoli, according to a source, actually underwent the physical more recently. His deal, however, is still not official.

Taken purely at face value, this story sounds like a bunch of speculatory nothingness, but this is Rosenthal we're talking about, and I suspect that we wouldn't be seeing this story pop up online if there wasn't more to the story than his introductory presser being delayed. 

Napoli, of course, suffered a severe left ankle sprain in Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, and has also been dinged up with quad and oblique issues in the last couple of years. Shortly after the Red Sox reached an agreement with Napoli, we heard that the Rangers maxed out at two years with a third-year option in their own negotiations with Napoli, and, per one report, the amount of guaranteed money Texas offered Napoli was less than half than his $39 million bounty from Boston. I took that to mean that the Rangers maxed out around two years, $18-19 million with a third-year option worth around $10-11 million.

Now, with this latest development, we're left to wonder if there were health-related reasons behind the Rangers' seemingly low offer on Napoli (and, for that matter, their refusal to extend Napoli even a one-year qualifying offer), and if there's any way that Texas could be re-involved in the (still unlikely) event that the Napoli-to-Boston deal collapses altogether.

Michael Young's Revenge

Face never forgets, apparently, and he took it out on my living room:

So, you may or may not see me post something today. IT'S A SURPRISE.

Poll: Should The Rangers Have Matched The Dodgers On Greinke?

You know what to do.