Rangers Notes: Jackson, Hawpe, Wilson

Here's the latest out of Arlington…

• The Rangers are looking for a right-handed hitting bench bat who can play in the outfield, manager Ron Washington told reporters (including Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News).  The club just released a player who fits that description in Conor Jackson, and the Rangers could be interested in bringing him back on another minor league deal.  If Texas does re-sign him, it would be after March 30, as then the team wouldn't have to pay Jackson a $100K bonus as a six-year veteran.
• Jackson, for his part, says he's willing to play in the minors for Texas if he can't find another job elsewhere.  "I do enjoy this organization," Jackson said.  "I'll consider all my options, including going to Triple-A and trying to be their right-handed option."
• Another veteran in the Rangers camp, Brad Hawpe, is not open to going to the minors, reports Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (via Twitter).  Hawpe wants to remain at the Major League level and feels he is still capable of performing in the big leagues.  Hawpe is another potential release candidate given that he is also in line for a $100K bonus, he has been unable to throw from the outfield due to his shoulder problems and the Rangers seem set for left-handed hitters.
• C.J. Wilson tells Gil Lebreton of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the Rangers approached him about a three-year extension during last year's Spring Training but that was the only formal offer the team made to retain him.  While Wilson was disappointed the Rangers didn't make much of an effort to re-sign him last winter, he understands why the team decided to move on to signing Yu Darvish and extending Derek Holland.
• MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan doesn't think the Rangers will sign Josh Hamilton, Colby Lewis or Mike Napoli to contract extensions before Opening Day.  All three players are entering the last year of their contracts with the team.