All about the RedHawks: a Minor League Blog

--The Rangers traded RedHawks and personal favorites John Danks and Nick Masset to the White Sox for Brandon McCarthy.  A minor league pitcher named Jacob Rasner was also traded to the Sox with a 19 year old outfielder named David Paisano coming back to the Rangers.   No doubt that McCarthy is a good pitcher and this makes the Rangers a better team in 2007.  And I love John, but as the old saying goes, there is no such thing as a pitching prospect.  This time last year, everyone was talking about the vaunted "DVD" and this year John is the only one who was able to maintain his "elite" status.  However, I'm biased and I don't like this trade.  I've lost two of my favorite RedHawk pitchers and this weakens us next season.  There were no really good prospects down in Frisco last year who will be able to start the year with the Hawks and dominate.  In past years we were able to get some pretty good 6-year free agent pitchers, but that was because the Rangers pitching staff sucked and they had a chance to make it to Texas.  The Rangers pitching staff has now greatly improved so the really good free agents won't sign here.

--The Rangers signed Eric Gagne to a one-year contract to serve as their closer.

--The Rangers also resigned Vincente Padilla, signed OF Kenny Lofton to a one-year deal, signed OF Marlon Byrd to a one-year deal, and non-tendered pitcher Mike Wood.

--The Rangers were active in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, selecting SS Johany Abreu, RHP Kendy Batista and C Brian Munhall in the Triple-A phase.  They also acquired minor league C Salomon Manriquez from the Rockies for future considerations.  The Rangers lost pitcher Alfredo Simon who had been shut down a couple weeks earlier in the major league phase of the draft.

--Some of my favorite Rangers, including Kam Loe, CJ Wilson and Ron Mahay did the annual visit to a children's hospital.

--The Rangers signed some more minor leaguers, including Jared Sandberg and Todd Donovan.  Personally I am very excited about Donovan who looks to be a great personality player.

--Several RedHawks and PCLers have already signed this year including RHP Rob Bell and RHP Jon Leicester (Orioles), 3B Mike Kinkade (Cubs), RHP Ryan Bukvich (White Sox), SS Enrique Cruz (Reds), RHP Mike Koplove, C Paul Hoover, SS Josh Labandeira,  and C Nick Trzesniak (Marlins), SS Cody Ransom (Astros), RHP Spike Lundberg and C Ken Huckaby (Dodgers), RHP John Wasdin and OF Chris Aguila (Pirates), OF Ryan Ludwick and RHP Kelvin Jimenez (Cardinals), SS Manny Alexander (Padres), C Jamie Burke (Mariners), LHP Mike Bacsik and C Danny Ardoin (Nationals), RHP Travis Hughes (Red Sox), DH Erubiel Durazo (A's) and OF Jason Grabowski (Devil Rays).

--Personal favorite Gabe Kapler has retired and will manage the Red Sox low A team in Greenville, SC.

--Personal favorite Yo-Yo (Jiselo) Diaz has signed with a team in Japan and Adam Hyzdu is reportedly as well.

Happy Holidays everyone!!