The Texas Rangers emerged Thursday as the chief competitor for the New York Yankees in their bid to sign reliever Kyle Farnsworth, who appears to be waiting for Tom Gordon to escalate his price. The Yankees think they are the leading contender to sign Farnsworth, who likely will command $17 million to $19 million over three years. Gordon is trying to get a three-year deal, probably in the $18 million range. The Yankees are trying to re-sign Gordon as a setup man for Mariano Rivera, while Cleveland and Philadelphia are interested in having Gordon return to his former role as a closer.