Newberg explains the strategy behind the Rangers' international spending spree last year:

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In Faleris’s section, he went into interesting detail on the tactics Texas deployed last year on players like righthander Marcos Diplan, shortstops Yeyson Yrizarri and Michael De Leon, and outfielder Jose Almonte, blowing through the club’s allotted cap and absorbing the codified penalty for doing so, which happens to restrict what the Rangers will be able to in 2014’s J2 period but, for teams exceeding their cap going forward at the level Texas has done in 2013, the primary restrictions will extend not just to the following year of international signings but actually to two years of such spending.

Faleris spells it out: “That’s right. While the Rangers are forfeiting the right to spend big next year, any team hoping to follow suit in gobbling up a bunch of top talent in a single signing period will have to forfeit big spending for a two year period. By acting first in this manner, the Rangers have effectively claimed an advantage on the international amateur scene that no team can match. Strategically, it’s a home run; scouting and development will ultimately determine whether that impressive first move results in an on-field advantage for the big club.”

And this: “In many ways, Rangers fans might consider 2013 a disappointment. To me, it was another example of an impressive organization operating at the forefront of the talent acquisition game. It’s moves like this that should keep Rangers fans confident their org is going to do what it takes to keep the talent pipeline stocked for the foreseeable future.”

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http://newbergreport.com/article.asp?articleid=3154

Jamey mentioned Volquez in that report and I looked up his wiki to remind me of his details.

I found this interesting that I didn't remember.

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When he was signed by the Rangers in 2001 at age 17, he went by the name Julio Reyes but his name was revealed to be Edison Volquez after an immigration crackdown in 2003. In 2007, he asked the Rangers to add an "n" to his name after checking his birth certificate to find he was born Edinson.[22]

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Not surprising or big news but Cruz just rejected the qualifying offer.

Bengie Molina hired as first base coach. Seems kind of odd to me.

Molina will also be the catching coach.

Peter

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Bengie Molina hired as first base coach. Seems kind of odd to me.

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Clearly you missed his triple to complete the cycle. Dude has some serious wheels. I think a very small percentage of triples are standup triples like his:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QK0BTnSqLsQ#t=78

The funny thing is, that is literally the only lasting memory I have of Bengie Molina as a Ranger. I can only imagine the things we'll see from Soto this season?!

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Bengie Molina hired as first base coach. Seems kind of odd to me.

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As a long time catcher, he probably has a pretty good ability to read catchers and pitchers, as well as defensive schemes.

It'll be funny seeing a bowling ball at first base, and I'm not sure I was hoping for this kind of hire when they fired a guy with a pretty good track record in Dave Anderson, but who knows right now? Maybe his skills as a catcher will translate.

Maybe we can hire Jose to be our bench coach, and Yadier in a few years to be our 3rd base coach.

Aside from the Ian Kinsler-Prince Fielder craziness, the Rangers picked up reliever Shawn Tolleson from the Dodgers today.

As a fellow Allen High School 06' alum, I wholeheartedly approve of this pickup.

Rangers took Russell Wilson in the Rule 5 draft.

I just saw that, freedom. Can you explain what that means?

http://deadspin.com/texas-rangers-draft-russell-wilson-yes-that-one-1481857119

Here's the deadspin story. For all practical purposes, it means the Rangers give $12,000 to the Rockies for the publicity of having Russell Wilson's MLB rights.

Rule 5 draft is basically a way for minor leaguers who may be stuck in an organization to get a shot somewhere else.

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Rangers took Russell Wilson in the Rule 5 draft.

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So the Rangers now have the best QB in the state of TX.

Saw that they hope they can get him to come to camp to speak with young players.

Blue star for this comment in the Deadspin article...

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This is a great move for the Rangers. Ever since Michael Young left, they've been looking to fill the role of invisible infielder.

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So the Rangers now have the best QB in the state of TX.

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uhhh hummm...johnny football?

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uhhh hummm...johnny football?

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LOL

How does the rangers thread have only 50 posts but the Houston thread has 180?

I guess that's the ratio of Aggie rangers fans to Peter puffers

Because the Rangers haven't done anything?

Agreed the Rangers' off season (other than Fielder\Kinz) has been more about filling roles and internal development.

With that... heard on the radio last night that Scheppers has been stretching out for a potential rotation spot. His preference is to be the closer, but looks to be preparing for either.

Also, read JD indicate that with Soria and Feliz, we have two former Closers who have had success. He also mentioned Scheppers and others are being considered. Ogando seemed like they could go Closer or SP. Indicated Ogando could be the deciding player that dictates many others. If he goes to the BP... they'll need to figure out how to fill his role in the rotation. But, IMO, it'd only make sense to put him in the BP, if he is Closer. And that would only be the case if Soria and Feliz (who did well in Winter) can't fill that role.

Combined, it would appear Scheppers is more likely in the rotation.

Ross was being stretched out in Winter ball, with some success. Ross has indicated he'd prefer to be in the rotation.

Harrison is apparently "all good news," with the recent visit by team trainer.

Rangers picked up Kensuke Tanaka who was released by the Giants. I'm not sure if is related to Masahiro. If he is, might it be a way to have an advantage to get Masahiro... both in ST together... potentially play on the field together.

Darvish-Holland-Perez
I've penciled in Ogando as the 4th, which would only leave one spot (Tepesch, other).

If they sign Tanaka. The rotation with Ogando would be killer, and IMO, setup some trades.

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Because the Rangers haven't done anything?

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Other than the biggest trade in MLB this offseason.

Rangers offseason activity has been spread around a number of threads, especially the various threads around Fielder.

Tanaka apparently not being posted this year.

$20M is still a bunch of cash to get for legally trafficking a human.

I still think he'll get posted.

Doubling his salary and not getting the posting money would be a huge $$$ swing.

But they can also keep him and post him next year and get the $20 mil plus a year of service.

they will hold onto him this year and milk him for everything they can (ticket sales, ect) and then they will take the 20 mil next year.....this will be the norm now. why would you give the player up today for the same price you can get next year.

slop

Same could be said next season... then next...

I believe he will be posted. Legally trafficking a human for $20M is just too much money, IMO. That is a good % of their costs.

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Same could be said next season... then next...

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Well, he only has two years left.

Post now, get $20 million
Post next year, get a year of playing and $20 million
Not post next year, get two years of playing and $0

I thought they had more years than that.

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Legally trafficking a human for $20M is just too much money, IMO. That is a good % of their costs.

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How is his contract any different than Mike Trout not being able to leave the Angels and play with whoever he wants now?

So with Choo is this the lineup?

LF Choo
SS Andrus
3B Beltre
1B/DH Prince
RF Rios
DH/1B Moreland
2B Profar
C Soto
CF Martin

Looks pretty nice.

[This message has been edited by Alabaster jones (edited 12/21/2013 11:41a).]

Thinking Fielder hits third.

Platoon Choice with Moreland.

My lineup goes 1.Martin 2. Andrus 3. Choo 4. Beltre 5. Fielder 6. Rios 7. Moreland 8. Soto 9. Profar.
This gives Rangers the ability to go L,R,L all the way thru the lineup.