Mike Hindman Leads the Pack

There apparently will be racing at Lone Star Park this season, but as Mike pointed out last week, there is definitely trouble in Grand Prairie. Mike reported this morning that Magna Entertainment Corp.  has filed a motion to put the lease to LSP up for auction April 3. The process will actually start April 3, but it appears that the actual auction will take place on July 16.

This should not impact the start of the Spring Thoroughbred season, which begins April 9, but its definitely looking line LSP is going through a time of transition that could take it into very uncertain waters. In this economy, I don’t think horse tracks are going to be seen as really attractive investments.

Chad Cordero off the Market; I’m Still Available

The Rangers don’t have to worry about monitoring the free agent reliever’s recovery from offseason arm problems. According to the Seattle Times, Cordero is going to Seattle.

UPDATE: According to a source, the Rangers did, in fact, make Cordero an offer, but Seattle’s more desperate need for a closer may have been a deciding factor. With Frank Francisco on hand and C.J. Wilson as a secondary option if Francisco fails, the Rangers werenot in position to make any promises about closer. The Mariners, in a word, are desperate. The Rangers could use another right-handed setup option, but they seem to be pretty set at closer.

More Rangers Notes: Andruw Jones’ Dutch Treat

Andruw Jones, a native of Curacao, spent Tuesday night glued to his TV watching The Netherlands oust the powerful Dominican Republic from the World Baseball Classic. Jones played for the 2006 Netherlands entry, but had to decline an invitation this season in order to try and win a job.

Being nearly 2,000 miles away in Arizona, however, couldn’t wipe the smile off his face. And he got in a little good-natured digging at Domincan-born reliever Frank Francisco.

(more…)

Hockey Night: Stars-Canes

Happy hockey weather. I’ll be peering down from high atop AAC and present thoughts, cogent and otherwise, between periods and then after visiting the principals downstairs after the game.

Turns out Mark Parrish is indeed a scratch as a result of that hit the other night in St. Louis.

See you when the Zamboni comes out.

(more…)

Rangers Notes: Prospects Held Up in Dominican Republic

PEORIA, Ariz. – Five of the Rangers’ Latin American prospects may be late for minor training camp because Major League Baseball is looking into accusations that a number of players lied about their age before obtaining visas from the Dominican Republic.

General manager Jon Daniels confirmed that five of the 42 players currently being denied travel visas are Rangers prospects, but he declined to name which players were not in camp as of Thursday. Minor league camp officially begins Friday.

(more…)

Game Report: Rangers 9, Mariners 1

In Peoria, Ariz., RHP Brandon McCarthy was sharp with a sinking fastball to both sides of the plate and used his newly-developed slider to keep Seattle off balance. It resulted in a 47-pitch, four-inning outing. McCarthy had been scheduled to pitch only three innings, but worked the extra inning because he was so efficient. (more…)

Brandon McCarthy Thread

Brandon McCarthy has worked through four innings (he was only slated to go three) and has allowed just one hit (though Josh Hamilton made a leaping, tumbling catch in center field), no walks and has struck out three on 44 pitches. He has definitely been the GOOD Brandon McCarthy today. Just thought you’d want to discuss.

Stars: One Forward Returning; Another Leaving?

Coach Dave Tippett said after this morning’s skate that Joel Lundqvist will play in tonight’s home game against Carolina and fellow forward Mark Parrish is a question mark.

(more…)

Rangers Notes: Pre-Game Edition

DH-OF-1B Frank Catalanotto (Italy) and OF Nelson Cruz (Dominican Republic) have returned from the World Baseball Classic after their respective countries were eliminated. Neither is playing today, but both should be in the lineup for one of the split-squad games Friday against the Dodgers (in Glendale) and the Royals (in Surprise). … That leaves only one Rangers players still participating: C Max Ramirez. The team remains unhappy about the way Venezuela is using the prospect, which is sparingly. Ramirez did not start any games for Venezuela in the first round. In a game that determined only second-round seeding and nothing more, Venezuela sat starter Ramon Hernandez and went with older Henry Blanco behind the plate. Ramirez did get two at-bats late in the game, but he had only five at-bats in four games during the long first round. The Rangers are a bit concerned about how the lack of playing time might impact his start to the season. … LHP Joe Torres, the only pitcher in camp with any real ongoing injury issues, is scheduled to pitch one inning of one of the split-squad games on Friday. … The only broadcast availability for today’s game is at the Rangers’ official site where former All-Star pitcher Steve Busby teams with Rangers Hall of Famer Jim Sundberg on a webcast. It is undoubtedly the best battery in broadcasting.

Lone Star Park On the Block?

Magna Entertainment (MEC), owner of the rights to conduct racing at Lone Star Park, has filed a motion in Delaware bankruptcy court seeking permission to auction off it’s interest in LSP on April 3.

Earlier this week, the bankruptcy judge rejected a proposed $62.5 million loan from MI Developments against bondholder opposition. The court approved a loan for $13 million instead.

(more…)

The 200: Only Number that Matters

SURPRISE, Ariz. - Hopefully, we’ll spend a lot of quality time together this year. You’ll ask me questions. I’ll offer intricate analytical answers. We’ll touch on topics from Michael Young’s move to third to Justin Smoak’s ETA in the majors. We’ll talk about the Latin American program and what free agents might be available this winter.

We’ll do it all in the name of trying to figure out what it will take to make the Rangers a winning team. And, of course, arguing baseball. It beats arguing politics.

(more…)