July 2014 - Texas Rangers Wiretap
Michael Young, hired as special assistant to Jon Daniels with the Texas Rangers, was a part of the interview process as the team looked for a new manager.
Young saw a lot of similarities between Jeff Banister, who got the job, and Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.
Banister worked under Hurdle for the last four seasons.
The Padres and Phillies have discussed a potential trade for left-hander Cole Hamels, Philly.com reported Sunday evening. Outfielder Wil Myers would be the headliner heading back to Philadelphia, according to the report.
The Boston Globe reported last week the Padres, Cubs, Red Sox, Dodgers and Rangers were interested the 30-year-old Hamels.
The Los Angeles Angels have discussed Josh Hamilton with the Texas Rangers and San Diego Padres, according to sources.
A scout that Ken Rosenthal has spoken to predicted that Hamilton wouldn't open the season with the Angels.
The talks were exploratory in nature and did not gain traction. The Angels didn't talk with Hamilton about waiving his no-trade clause, according to sources.
Hamilton is owed $83 million over the next three seasons.
The Texas Rangers have agreed to a one-year deal with reliever Kyuji Fujikawa.
The contract includes a club option and is worth $1 million plus positive incentives.
The Texas Rangers have an estimated $10-12 million in payroll flexibility as the offseason progresses.
The Rangers could hold onto the flexibility until midseason when they'll have a better idea of what kind of roster they have.
The Seattle Mariners are looking at Alex Rios as an option in right field.
Rios, currently a free agent, hit .280/.311/.398 in 521 plate appearances with the Texas Rangers this past season.
The Washington Nationals will trade Ross Detwiler to the Texas Rangers in exchange for right-hander Abel De Los Santos and infielder Chris Bostick.
Detwiler had a disappointing 2014 season and his camp suggested to Washington that a trade be completed.
The New York Mets are discussing Dillon Gee with as many as six clubs.
The Texas Rangers have talked with the Mets about the right-hander, but nothing is close.
The Colorado Rockies, Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants have also been linked to Gee.
The Texas Rangers plan to invite Russell Wilson to spring training once again.
Jon Daniels said that Wilson is open to returning to the club this spring, but the general manager wants to wait until the NFL season is finished before extending the invite.
Wilson was a Rule 5 draft pick last year and attended spring training for just a day.
Texas could lose the rights to Wilson because he's exposed to the Rule 5 draft which occurs Thursday.
The Texas Rangers are focused on adding a controllable starting pitcher via trade and Andrew Cashner is their top target.
Cashner has two years remaining before free agency and is likely to earn between $3-4 million next season.
The right-hander is a native of Texas and went to TCU. The 28-year-old has reportedly told friends he'd like to return to the state.