Monday Newsletter time: A few leftovers from Texas Rangers' big day worth chewing on
Everyone was in a good mood and might have let their guards down a little more than they usually would.
Everyone with the Texas Rangers was feeling pretty, pretty, pretty good about themselves Wednesday afternoon, and likely still are.
They are allowed to feel good during the MLB lockout, but just not do much else.
The Rangers announced the signings of four free agents, with two of them — Corey Seager and Marcus Semien — among the best on the market. Two others — right-hander Jon Gray and outfielder Kole Calhoun — have something to prove in 2022.
The Rangers proved true to their word, that they would compete this offseason for the biggest names in free agency and spend money. No one probably thought they meant $561.2 million, but that’s where they are with plans to spend more.
Each player was courteous enough to come meet the beat writers after a turn with Emily Jones and others on the TV side. There was also plenty of time to talk to manager Chris Woodward and others, including ownership, who might have been hanging around.
Here are a few noteworthy things that were said:
Calhoun said the MRI exams showed that his knee and hamstrings are just fine. He made adjustments to his swing last offseason that he was never able to implement because of the injury bug. He’s ready to break out.
“The Texas Rangers got a steal,” said Calhoun, who signed a one-year deal worth $5.2 million.Gray played in college at Oklahoma, which at the time of his signing was looking for a football coach after Lincoln Riley had pulled stunner and left for the riches being offered by Southern Cal.
He was asked who he wanted to be the next football coach, and initially said it didn’t really matter because it would be someone good who was going to be inheriting a lot talent. But then he did cast a vote: Bob Stoops.
Stoops is serving as the interim head coach for the Sooners’ bowl game, but Oklahoma announced late Sunday that Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables is taking the job. Venables was on Stoops’ staff from 1999-2011.The man giving the final nod on the acquisitions wasn’t Jon Daniels or Chris Young. It was managing partner Ray Davis, who owns the largest chunk of the Rangers.
Following the Seager press conference, Davis was told that the Rangers had done pretty good for a 100-loss team.
“That was our last 100-loss season … ever,” Davis said.
Peters to Korea
DJ Peters might have seen the writing on the wall. It was going to be difficult for him to break spring camp with the Rangers, who outrighted him to Triple A Round Rock just before the non-tender deadline.
So, the outfielder reportedly is off to Korea.
Peters is nearing a deal with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization, according to reporter Daniel Kim.
Aside from being taken off the 40-man roster, Peters also saw the Rangers sign Calhoun and likely has seen that the Rangers are interested in Japanese star Seiya Suzuki. He plays right field as Calhoun does, but would move to left field if signed.
Peters, who turns 26 on Sunday, swatted 13 home runs and made several terrific defensive plays after he was claimed on waivers in early August. He has tools, but there is some question about how often he will put the ball in play.
Nice guy, though. Here’s wishing him well.
ICYMI …
Lockout? What lockout? The Newsletter has been busy since the owners put the offseason on hold. We were pretty busy before that, too. Here’s a sampling of all the latest, in case you missed it.
The Sunday Read: Where do the Rangers turn next?
How Anthony Andro voted for the Hall of Fame
Friday on the Farm: Ranking the second basemen
T.R.’s Memoirs: Rafael Palmeiro Rangers’ career. Part I and Part II
Four free agents fall for a 102-loss team. Why?
Texas Rangers Baseball Podcast YouTube channel (subscribe for free)
Doggy video!
I’d never heard of FC Zenit until seeing this tweet, but they are now my second-favorite soccer team behind FC Richmond. Enjoy. See you Tuesday.
