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Texas Rangers Wiretap

Rangers Agree To Deal With Dave Bush

The Rangers agreed to terms with free agent right-handed pitcher Dave Bush to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training on Sunday.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reported that if Bush makes the team, he'll earn $1 million in base salary and could earn another $1 million in incentives.

Bush was 8-13 with a 4.54 ERA in 32 games (31 starts) for the Brewers in 2010.

Via Richard Durrett/ESPNDallas.com


Rangers, Napoli Agree To One-Year Deal

The Rangers and catcher Mike Napoli have agreed to a one-year deal, allowing the two sides to avoid arbitration.

The contract is worth $5.8 million.

Napoli was acquired from the Blue Jays on Tuesday in return for reliever Frank Francisco and cash.

Via ESPNDallas.com


Wilson Upset Over Berkman's Comments

Rangers left-hander C.J. Wilson has responded to Lance Berkman's comments about the team.

Berkman said he felt Texas would be an average team this season and that some of their pitchers overachieved in 2010.

"I think it's funny. He was contemplating retirement, so I'm not going to take anything too seriously. I'm not going to get offended by anything he says," Wilson said.

"If that's a representative idea of what people around the league think, that's better for us because they're going to do the same thing and they're going to not take us seriously. If we end up stomping through the playoffs again, everyone will be like, 'Wow, what a bummer.' "

Via MLB.com


Berkman Believes Rangers Will Be 'Average'

Lance Berkman criticized the Rangers on a Houston radio station Thursday as he discussed why he opted to sign with the Cardinals this offseason.

Berkman said he felt the Rangers would have "an average team" in 2011 and had some pitchers that "pitched better than their talent level" in 2010.

"I felt like if they didn't re-sign Cliff Lee that they were going to be an average team and I feel that's probably what's going to end up happening," Berkman said.

"It's all about your pitching. I feel like last year was one of those special years where you kind of catch lightning in a bottle and they got hot and they had some guys that I felt like were pitching better than their talent level and consequently they had a great year."

Via Richard Durrett/ESPNDallas.com


Yanks President: Rangers Owner 'Delusional'

Yankees president Randy Levine says Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg is "delusional."

Levine made his comments in response to Greenberg's opinion that Texas kept the chase for Cliff Lee going long enough for Philadelphia to sneak in and take Lee from New York.

"I think Chuck is delusional," Levine said.

"He has been running the Rangers for a few minutes and seems to believe he's mastered what everyone else is thinking. I think he should let Cliff Lee speak for himself. I'll be impressed when he demonstrates he can keep the Rangers off welfare. What I mean is make them not be a revenue-sharing recipient for three years in a row, without taking financing from baseball or advance money from television networks. Then I'll be impressed."

Via Andrew Marchand/ESPNNewYork.com


Rangers Jan 2011 Archive