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Andruw Jones Likely To Make Rangers

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Jim Reeves of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported this morning that the Reds have been eyeing Andruw Jones, and the Phillies were also showing signs of interest.  Those teams were probably banking on him being released or demoted to Triple-A, and sliding in with an offer of major league at-bats.  Well, so much for that.  As MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reported this evening, Jones is likely to make the Rangers' final roster.

Andruw appears to have found a home in Texas. "I feel good," he said Wednesday.  "I think in this situation it will be spread out how everybody gets in the game.  But the best thing is having [hitting coach] Rudy [Jamarillo] there.  He's going to keep you focused.  You just do all your work and when you get an opportunity to play, you let it happen."

The Rangers will now focus their attention on trying to move Frank Catalanotto.  He'd be a nice fit on a National League team.

Angels Eyeing Aaron Harang?

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The Aaron Harang chatter started with ESPN's Peter Gammons on March 22nd.  Gammons wrote:

The Reds have let teams know that they will wait and see whether they need to move Aaron Harang during the season.

But then the next day Reds GM Walt Jocketty said, "I'm not going to comment on something when he doesn't know what he's talking about" and laughed off the rumor, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Harang's name came up again in yesterday's Ken Rosenthal column, in association with a one-sided call from the Angels to the Reds about taking Gary Matthews Jr. off their hands.

Today, ESPN's Buster Olney adds to the rumblings:

Joe Saunders is coping with a dead arm. No wonder the Angels have dispatched a scout to go see the Reds' Aaron Harang make his next spring start.

Saunders' arm is already alive again, but John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, and Ervin Santana are all dealing with injuries. 

Rangers Rumors: Andruw Jones, Joaquin Arias

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MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan has a few Rangers rumors tonight.

  • Aside from Gary Sheffield, the Phillies have interest in Rangers outfielder Andruw Jones.  Sullivan says the Phils "have been scouting Jones extensively this spring."
  • Also, having unloaded Jeff Keppinger, the Reds are looking for utility infield help.  One person of interest is Rangers shortstop Joaquin Arias.  Arias, who came to Texas in the Alex Rodriguez trade, has strong defensive tools and may yet establish himself as a regular according to Baseball America.
  • In another post, Sullivan says reliever Derrick Turnbow has decided to accept his assignment to Triple A Oklahoma.

Tigers Release Gary Sheffield

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7:36pm: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says Sheffield has interest in the Marlins, but Frisaro believes Geoff Jenkins would be a better fit.

5:12pm: Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer learned from a team source that the chances of the Phillies signing Sheffield are "very slim."  Martino did learn from Sheffield's agent Rufus Williams that a part-time role is not off the table for his client.

SI.com's Jon Heyman looks at the situation, and has a hard time finding a match for Sheffield.

2:49pm: Zolecki learned from Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. that the team did contact Sheffield's agent.  The Reds haven't discussed it, says Walt Jocketty.

1:15pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Rangers and Blue Jays will pass on Sheffield.  In talking to J.P. Ricciardi, Jeff Blair confirms the Jays' lack of interest.

9:15am: More from Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press.  He says this isn't even a club record – the Tigers ate $14.3MM on Damion Easley back in '03.  Morosi says Sheffield said "it ain't close" to the end of his career, and he has a preference for the Rays.

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki wonders whether the Phillies could be a fit for Sheffield.

8:41am: According to Tom Gage of the Detroit News, the Tigers released DH Gary Sheffield.  They'll eat the $14MM owed to him for '09.  It's quite surprising to see the team assume all that money to make him go away, especially since he's healthy right now.  Plus he's just one home run shy of 500 for his career.

Let the speculation begin on where Sheff will end up.  Obviously his options will open up if he can play the outfield.  To kick off the discussion…would the Blue Jays make sense? 

Astros Acquire Jeff Keppinger

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According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Astros acquired out of options infielder Jeff Keppinger from the Reds for a player to be named later.  Looks like Keppinger will be Houston's third base addition.  MLB.com's Alyson Footer says he'll complement Geoff Blum at the hot corner and also play the middle infield positions.  Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News says the minor leaguer the Reds will receive must be chosen by May 1st.

Keppinger, 29 in April, hit .266/.310/.346 in 502 plate appearances last year while playing all around the infield (mostly shortstop).

Rosenthal On Matthews, Thomas, Hammel, Niemann

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column…

  • The Angels attempted to sell the Reds on Gary Matthews Jr., but it was a one-sided discussion. The Reds have no desire to trade Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang for Matthews.  Angels GM Tony Reagins told Rosenthal, "We haven't had much discussions with respect to trades and trade possibilities."   UPDATE: Reds GM Walt Jocketty told John Fay he hasn't talked to the Angels since the Winter Meetings.
  • Free agent DH Frank Thomas is still waiting for an offer.  He intends to delay a decision about retirement until at least the All-Star break.  My thought – his situation just got a bit tougher with Gary Sheffield becoming available.
  • Rosenthal says the Rays could keep both Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann and cut Lance Cormier, if trade offers for the first two aren't acceptable.  Rosenthal adds the Rangers, Nationals, and Indians to the already known suitors (Padres, Pirates, and Rockies).  He names the Brewers as "yet another possibility."  Rosenthal says the Angels attempted to acquire Niemann a year ago but learned from Reagins that they're not actively looking for pitching.
  • The Phillies ate Adam Eaton's contract, but team president David Montgomery is unwilling to do the same to make Geoff Jenkins go away. 
  • Rosenthal says the offers received for Rockies infielder Jeff Baker "have not been enticing."  They may elect to keep him.

Stark’s Latest: Keppinger, Baker, Phillies

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has a new blog post up.  Some of this is old news, but probably worth revisiting…

  • The Reds are dangling infielder Jeff Keppinger, with the Red Sox and Astros as possible suitors.
  • The Red Sox and Astros have also checked in on Colorado's Jeff Baker, along with the Phillies.  But, the Rockies are reportedly demanding a "quality young starter" in return.
  • The Mets expressed interest in Ronny Paulino before he was dealt to the Giants (then moved swiftly to the Marlins).
  • The Phillies continue to shop around for a right-handed reserve outfielder.

Odds & Ends: Wieters, Padres, Peavy, Price

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LInks for Thursday…

Rosenthal On White Sox, Pedro, Baker

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The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…

  • The White Sox are still trying to figure out their center field situation, but they are not involved on pricey veterans such as Juan Pierre and Gary Matthews Jr.
  • Fantasy alert: Rosenthal names David Aardsma as the likely leader for the Mariners closer job, with Chad Cordero and Brandon Morrow lingering.
  • The Dodgers "continue to balk at Pedro Martinez's $5MM asking price."
  • Rockies utility man Jeff Baker, who is out of options, is drawing interest from the Phillies, Astros, and Pirates.  Rosenthal suggests recently-demoted Kyle Kendrick as a possible target for Colorado, assuming the Phils can move Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs to clear a spot.  Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Yankees are unlikely to acquire Baker.
  • The Blue Jays have been scouting shortstops Chin-Lung Hu, Juan Castro, and others in hopes of finding someone they can stash at Triple A for insurance.
  • Was Willy Taveras a bad move for the Reds?  Rosenthal says rival executives think so.
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