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Latin Links: Liriano, Ruiz, Ramirez, Garcia

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News from sources that use subjunctive tenses. Links are in Spanish…

  • Francisco Liriano tells Hoy's Dionisio Soldevila he seriously considered retirement eight months after his elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2006. He also gives perhaps his clearest rejection yet of the idea that he take the John Smoltz route and step into Joe Nathan's slot as closer. "I don't want to be a closer," Liriano says. "I don't know if I'm ready to roll out there three or four times a week." After a dominant winter in the Dominican and a reportedly resurgent fastball this spring, Liriano is currently manager Ron Gardenhire's pick for the fifth spot in the Twins rotation.
  • Two weeks after his acrimonious split from agent Jorge Luis Toca, Cuban prospect Jose Julio Ruiz has surfaced again. Representatives from 22 teams recently watched Ruiz and fellow new Legacy Sports client Yadil Mujica at a staged tryout in the Dominican Republic, writes Jorge Ebro at the Nuevo Herald. The Blue Jays, Red Sox, Rangers, and Rays have all reportedly made offers to the left-handed first baseman this winter, all at around $2MM. The Rays at minimum can likely be crossed off the list of Ruiz's potential suitors after the team signed Leslie Anderson.
  • Rangers prospect Max Ramirez is getting more serious about moving to first, just like Mike Lowell, the player for whom Ramirez was almost traded earlier this winter. "I played a fair amount of first (base) in Venezuela," Ramirez tells Lider en Deportes' Carlos Rodriguez. "I didn't do it as much in the minors, but I've improved and I feel good." Ramirez, who is currently blocked at catcher by Taylor Teagarden and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, has been mentioned as a possible solution to the Rangers' seeming shortage of reserve corner infielders. He played 23 innings at first during a brief 2008 call-up.
  • White Sox fifth starter Freddy Garcia tells Lider's Rodriguez that retirement never crossed his mind after he was released by the Mets last spring after just two starts at Triple A. "They told me one thing and did another," Garcia says. "I came to fight for a spot and they never gave me a chance."
  • Former Twins outfielder Lew Ford has signed with the Oaxaca Warriors of the Mexican League, reports Eduardo Gonzalez Garcia at Noticias Sureste. After a one-year sojourn in Japan, Ford signed with the Reds last August and played for their Triple A Louisville affiliate. He last appeared in the majors in 2007.

Rangers Looking For Reserve Infield Help

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When the Rangers voided the contract of Khalil Greene last week, it appeared as if the club would look within their system for a replacement.  Indeed, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan was told by Texas officials that there was a "100 percent probability" that this would be the case (via Twitter).

A week later, however, Sullivan reports that the team is changing its tune.  Greene provided both infield depth and a right-handed corner infield bat, and now the Rangers "are re-assessing the situation and early confidence that the roles could be filled from within may be eroding."  The team hopes that prospect Max Ramirez or former Angel Matt Brown can handle the corner infield job, but several options exist outside the Rangers organization for the utility infield spot.  Sulllivan noted the Dodgers have some extra infielders in camp and listed a few other specific names as options…

  • Julio Lugo.  He may be the odd man out in St. Louis given the Cardinals' recent signing of Felipe Lopez.  Sullivan noted the irony of Lugo possibly again being acquired to replace Greene, given that St. Louis did the same thing last summer.  Sullivan also said Lugo "is somebody [the Rangers] have talked about internally."
  • Augie Ojeda.  We heard last winter that Texas had some interest in the Diamondbacks infielder.
  • Ramon Vazquez.  Sullivan said "the Pirates may be willing to talk about" dealing the former Ranger.

Lowell To Texas Trade Is Off

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10:03pm: Gorden Edes of ESPNBoston.com (via Twitter) says that the teams could revisit the deal at some point, though the Rangers can find a right-handed power bat elsewhere.

8:51pm: The exact injury is a torn radial collateral ligament on the right thumb.  Lowell will undergo surgery on it shortly after Christmas, and it will require 6-8 weeks of recovery, says Rob Bradford of WEEI.

8:07pm: The trade of Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers has been called off, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).  The third baseman will require surgery for the torn ligament in his right thumb.

The deal, which has been talked about for some time, would have sent catcher Max Ramirez to the BoSox in exchange for Lowell.  In addition, Boston would have paid $9MM of the $12MM owed to the soon-to-be 36-year-old.

Assuming that they are unable to move Lowell this offseason, do you see any scenario in which they could still sign Adrian Beltre or land Adrian Gonzalez?  Let's hear your thoughts in the comments.

Red Sox, Rangers Considering Mike Lowell Trade

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SATURDAY, 11:59am: Lowell is flying to Texas today to meet with the Rangers' front office and medical staff, and to take a physical according to ESPN's Jayson Stark. Lowell saw a hand specialist in Arizona earlier this week.

FRIDAY, 3:30pm: The Rangers will have their medical staff look at Lowell this weekend, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. We should know by the end of the weekend if the trade is going to go through.

TUESDAY, 1:22pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the deal has a better than 50-50 chance of going through, though it's still not a lock.

8:40am: Peter Gammons tweets that Lowell may require thumb surgery.

MONDAY, 12:03am: According to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, the Rangers will take a look at Lowell's thumb in-person at some point this week.  Meanwhile, Boston is looking into the condition of Max Ramirez's wrists, which gave him problems in 2009.

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Rangers’ Sale Won’t Affect Offseason Plans

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The possible sale of the Texas Rangers from current owner Tom Hicks to a group led by Chuck Greenberg won't have any major repercussions on the team's current front-office composition or any of their planned winter transactions.  In regards to the front office, Rangers president Nolan Ryan told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that should the sale go through, there won't be any "drastic changes" to how the club operates in the short-term, though "any areas of immediate need" will be addressed once the new ownership team has had a chance to fully assess things.  Ryan himself is probably a big reason for this continuity, given that he is part of Greenberg's ownership group and will retain his position under the new regime.

Sullivan also heard from Texas GM Jon Daniels that the sale shouldn't interfere with any trades or signings the Rangers might have in the works, but the club is prepared to shift gears if necessary.  Daniels told Sullivan, "We are not changing our plans, but we will evaluate anything or be happy to adjust when that time comes. Nolan and I have discussed that possibility and it could certainly give us some options at some point….The timing of that is unclear, but we're going forward with the same plans and financial parameters. And if that changes, we will adjust."

Daniels also discussed what some of these plans might entail in regards to what's left on the Texas wish list…

  • Daniels said the team is more likely to bring in a second-tier veteran catcher or two to provide depth, rather than look for an everyday catcher.  The GM said the club is satisfied with their current catching corps of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Kevin Richardson.
  • The Rangers are one of many, many teams interested in Matt Capps, and also "have ongoing talks" about free agent reliever Darren Oliver. 
  • The ever-impending Mike Lowell-for-Max Ramirez trade will hopefully be finalized this week when Lowell undergoes a physical.
  • Daniels said there is "a decent chance" the team will sign another starting pitcher for depth purposes.
  • The door isn't closed on Texas signing a free agent bat like Jermaine Dye or Vladimir Guerrero, if their price is right.
  • The Rangers would like a utility infielder, but "that seems to be low on their priorities."

Discussion: What Should The Rangers Do With All Their Catchers?

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The Texas Rangers have an embarrassment of riches behind the plate, with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez all checking in at age 25 or younger. Saltalamacchia has received the most playing time at the big league level this year, hitting .255-.307-.411 in 153 plate appearances, but Teagarden has put up a more than respectable .347 OBP in 49 PA as Salty's backup. Ramirez is stashed away in Triple-A after putting up a .217-.345-.370 line in 55 PA last year.

With the team currently sporting a 4.5 game lead in the AL West and young catching always in demand, is now the time for the Rangers to make a move and push for the franchise's first playoff berth in 1999? Could a package centered around one of those three catchers plus one of Texas' promising young arms be enough to entice the Astros to move Roy Oswalt? What do you guys think?

Mike Axisa writes for River Ave. Blues.

Marlins Prefer To Add A Catcher

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MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says that moreso than signing Andruw Jones, the Marlins would like to add a veteran catcher to pair with John Baker.  Ivan Rodriguez makes sense, but Frisaro says the Fish would probably only offer him the league minimum.  Pudge wants $3MM, says Ken Rosenthal.

The Marlins had late-December interest in Gregg Zaun, but $2MM was out of their price range.  Frisaro says they’ve been exploring trading for Rangers backstop Max Ramirez (the price would certainly be young pitching).

Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Max Ramirez, Lowell

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Links for Friday…

Marlins Catcher Rumors

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Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has the latest on the Marlins’ trade talks for a catcher.

The Rangers could part with Max Ramirez or Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but want a frontline starter type such as Chris Volstad, Josh Johnson, or Ricky Nolasco.  The Marlins aren’t willing to do that, but instead could flip Jonathan Sanchez to Texas if they get him.  Or, they could send Anibal Sanchez if they add a starter.

The Marlins also have an eye on Pittsburgh’s Ronny Paulino.  Meanwhile current Marlin Matt Treanor could be non-tendered or traded for a minor piece.

Marlins Rumors: Max Ramirez, Pavano, Rhodes

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Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has the latest on the Marlins.

  • The Marlins have had informal talks with the Rangers regarding catcher Max Ramirez.  The Fish are willing to trade lefty Scott Olsen, though the Rangers are wary of his makeup and home run tendencies.  The Marlins are OK with their in-house options if they can’t work out a trade.  The Marlins aren’t interested in Gerald Laird.
  • The Marlins may consider bringing Carl Pavano back to Florida, the site of his last success.
  • Luis Gonzalez, Mark Hendrickson, Paul Lo Duca, and Arthur Rhodes are the Marlins’ free agents.  Of the four, Rhodes stands a chance of being re-signed.  However, the Marlins have not spoken to Rhodes’ agent in weeks.
  • Juan C. Rodriguez reports that despite reports, the Marlins are not in on Junichi Tazawa.
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