June 2012 - Texas Rangers Wiretap

Josh Hamilton is expected to file for free agency after the 2012 season. However, the center fielder will give the Rangers the first crack at re-signing him. He would headline a strong class of outfielders that could also include Shane Victorino, Nick Swisher, B.J. Upton, Lance Berkman and Ichiro Suzuki.

Yu Darvish will make his first Cactus League start on March 7 against the Padres. He's expected to throw two innings. Darvish threw 36 pitches to hitters on Monday and said he felt "very good" about the performance, mainly because he could move the screen to the side a little bit. It's something he isn't fully comfortable using while he pitches.

Josh Hamilton said Sunday that he owes the Rangers all of his effort and focus for 2012. The outfielder added that if he becomes a free agent after this season, the first call he's making is to the Texas front office. "If it does go to free agency, the first place I'm coming is here," Hamilton said. "If I owe anything, it's that. My loyalty is here. This is where I've been. This is where my family's been, so obviously I'd love to stay here more than anywhere else. So first of all, they get a chance to do what they need to do to keep me here." Hamilton clarified his remarks from Friday, when he said he didn't "owe the Rangers." Hamilton felt it was misconstrued. "What I owe is 100 percent on the field," Hamilton said. "My employee-employer relationship is to give 100 percent in the clubhouse, to the fans, everything I've done while I've been here. That's what I owe to the Rangers. I've done those things and I'm going to continue to do those things. That's what I mean by it."

Josh Hamilton is pleased with his progress since his alcohol relapse more than three weeks ago and isn't concerned about his long-term contract situation. The outfielder also said he doesn't feel he needs to give the Rangers a hometown discount. "The Rangers have done a lot for me, but I've got a question for y'all: Have I done a lot for the Rangers? I think I've given them everything I've had," Hamilton said. "I don't think anybody can say I haven't. When it comes down to it, people don't understand, fans don't understand, this is a business, this is an entertainment business. "I love Texas. I love my fans. I love fans of the Rangers. I love the organization. I love my teammates. I love everything about it. But I'm not going to sit here and say that I owe the Rangers. I don't feel like I owe the Rangers." Hamilton and the club agreed to table contract negotiations after his relapse more than three weeks ago.

With all the cameras clicking inside a meeting room of more than 120 media at Surprise Recreation Complex on Thursday afternoon, Japanese pitcher star Yu Darvish wondered what all the fuss was about. "Am I the type of player that should get all this attention? I still don't know," said Darvish through a translator during his first news conference of spring training.

Rangers CEO and Nolan Ryan joked that the gaggle of media members that packed into a tent set up near the clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon set a new record for recording devices. It wouldn't be surprising, though, if the record is broken Thursday when Yu Darvish speaks for the first time from spring training. "I think it's neat and exciting that he has the following that he does and so many people are excited about it," Ryan said.

Colby Lewis, who is expected to be the Opening Day starter for the Rangers, is without a contract past this season. Texas picked up his $3.25 million option for 2012, but talks about an extension went nowhere. "We had very small, limited talks right after the season," Lewis said. "They wanted to know how I felt. Nothing came of it this offseason. If something comes up, it will come up, but I'm not too concerned about it. I've got to take care of the daily stuff."

The Athletics and Rangers are nearing an agreement on a trade involving reliever Koji Uehara, according to a report. Oakland has been looking for a reliever and has been linked to free-agent Mike Gonzalez.

Josh Hamilton said Wednesday that he's committed to figuring out why he had another alcohol relapse and is undergoing what he called a "Josh Hamilton makeover." Hamilton appeared on "Glenn Beck" on GBTV.com with guest host Dr. James Robison, Hamilton's pastor with LIFE Outreach, a Christian ministry based in Euless, Texas.

Nelson Cruz, who agreed to a two-year, $14 million deal with the Rangers this month, will make just $5 million in 2012. His backloaded contract will pay him a $500,000 signing bonus and an increased salary of $10.5 million in 2013. There are also incentives in his contract that can raise his 2013 salary by $500,000 in relation to plate appearances.