Broussard Designated

THURSDAY: According to Jamey Newberg, Broussard has been designated for assignment. WEDNESDAY: Evan Grant's article from late last night implies that the Rangers could designate first baseman Ben Broussard when Marlon Byrd returns from the DL next week. Broussard has been pushed to the bench following 89 ugly plate appearances. He's earning $3.85MM this year. Grant has wondered whether a Broussard release would be paired with a Ron Washington firing. Broussard, 31, was last effective in 2006 when he hit righties well. Still, for the minimum salary he's a low-risk bench addition. Broussard could be the first of many Rangers...

Will Salty Callup Lead To Laird Trade?

Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been called up, and GM Jon Daniels has no plans for him to warm the bench. Salty performed well at AAA Oklahoma, and when backup backstop Adam Melhuse broke a bone in his hand on Thursday, the call-up seemed imminent. However, incumbent Rangers catcher Gerald Laird has also been solid to start the season. Given the organization's desire to get Saltalamacchia regular at-bats and the lackluster hitting of first baseman Ben Broussard, I think it's likely that the defensively sub-par Salty will see at least some time at the "cold corner." But with the Rangers off to...

Rosenthal's Latest: Bonds, Broussard, Hunter, Rowand, More

We missed an installment from good ol' Kenny Rosenthal yesterday. He's back today in full force (unlike another great rumor source, Buster Olney, who posted nothing really new in his blog today). The A's, once considered the best bet for Barry Bonds, are no longer interested in the indicted slugger. Rosenthal thinks it's likely that Bond's trial will start after Opening Day, causing him to miss time regardless of the verdict. And then there's the whole prison issue. The Rangers spoke to the Mariners at the GM meetings regarding the availability of Ben Broussard. Talks didn't really go anywhere, since...