Rangers Overhaul

I follow Minor League Baseball. I'm not afraid to admit it . Sure, baseball may be a dying sport in much of the country, but baseball is still King in the Northeast which I found out during my trip up to Boston this past weekend. While many people don't care about the Rangers, I will continue to root for them and today the Rangers front office gave this Rangers fan hope.

Adam Morris of Lone Star Ball recaps the prospects coming to Arlington.

Below is Fort Worth Star Telegram's recap on the return for Teixeira

The Rangers announced Tuesday afternoon that have completed the most talked-about deal of this year’s deadline trades, sending first baseman Mark Teixeira and left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to the Braves for catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and four prospects.

That deal was completed after medical records were reviewed. In addition to Braves shortstop Elvis Andrus and pitchers Matt Harrison and Neftali Feliz, the Rangers also got left-handed reliever Beau Jones, who is 5-0 with a 2.96 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings for the Class-A Rome Braves.

Saltalamacchia, 22, was ranked as the Braves’ top prospect by Baseball America before the season. Andrus, a 19-year-old Class-A shortstop was ranked Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect and Harrison, a 22-year-old Double-A lefty, was No. 3. Feliz, a 19-year-old right-hander from the Dominican Republic, is still in rookie ball.

Saltalamacchia is expected to join the Rangers in Cleveland for their three-game series starting tonight. A switch hitter, Saltalamacchia made his major-league debut on May 2 and hit .284 with four home runs and 12 RBI for the Braves this season. He caught in 25 games, played first in 14 games and was the designated hitter in two games.

Teixeira, 27, was selected fifth overall in the 2001 draft by Texas and reached the majors two years later. He quickly became one of the Rangers’ most consistent and productive players, hitting .283 with 153 home runs and 499 RBI and playing in a club-record 507 consecutive games. Teixeira also won two Gold Gloves with the Rangers.

Not shockingly, news came out that Teixeira and his devil agent Scott Boras didn't even sniff at the 8 year and 140 million dollar extension that Tom Hicks offered.

Teixeira's wife is from Atlanta and Teixeira played college baseball at Georgia Tech. He had no intentions of resigning after the 2008 season with the Rangers, and it was nice to see the Rangers get such a nice return for a guy I am glad to see get out of town.


John Sickels lists the top 20 Braves prospects entering this season

The Rangers picked up #2, #3, #4, and #13 along with a reliever from a list of prospects in what is perennially one of the best farm systems in baseball Jon Daniels hit a home run on this deal.

The return was not as sweet for Eric Gagne and they gave up the closer who would yield two additional draft picks at the end of the season if a he signed elsewhere for 3 Boston prospects one of which seems like a good pickup if he stays healthy.

Kason Gabbard, a lefty starter who was pushing Jon Lester for the 5th spot in Boston's rotation once Curt Schilling returned from injury. David Murphy was #14 on Sickels preseason list and should at least be a solid centerfielder platton option down the road. Big upside potential in Engel Beltre who has a upside as a top Dominican prospect in the much hyped Sox minor league system.

Overall, a hell of a day to be a Rangers fan in what all of sudden looks like a team with some direction and potential.

Kevin Garnett escapes Minnesota and is headed to Boston



David Beckham is still injured and will have to wait to see the wonderful DFW wonderland of Frisco which should blow his English mind. There's always next time Becks.


A Young Beckham with a miracle for Manchester United.