Kevin Millwood, Rich Harden, and Mike Lowell oh my!

The Texas Rangers have made some serious moves since I left work last night. Evan Grant over at the Dallas News – Rangers Blog has reported that it is official, Kevin Millwood is not going to be a Ranger this season. Kevin Millwood’s new team will be the Oriole’s, what do we get back in this trade? Not much to be honest, but don’t get down on the Rangers yet, let me explain.

The Texas Rangers will receive reliever Chris Ray as well as a player to be named later. Chris Ray ERA was 7.27 last year, but the previous seasons it was 2.73 and 4.43. Not really an equal trade for Millwood, but the Rangers are also rumored to be getting a pitching prospect as the player to be named later, and this will also clear up some room to sign some free agents.

Here comes the good part, with Millwood’s contract off the books, the Rangers are signing Rich Harden to a 1-year deal worth 7.5 million for the upcoming year, and this deal will also have an option for 1 more year at 11.5 million. Rich Harden is un-hittable when he is on and healthy, the problem has been that Harden hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Rich Harden made it through 26 games last year posting a 4.09 ERA, Harden’s ERA the previous year was 1.77 and has been under 3 every year except for last year. In comparison Millwood pitched 31 games last year with a 3.67 ERA, but he was in a contract year, and his ERA was above 5 in both of the previous years.

Update: 1310 the Ticket has reported that the Rich Harden deal is final.

I like this move, the Texas Rangers pitching staff becomes younger and more talented if Rich Harden can stay healthy. An added bonus is that this deal did not involve Milton Bradley, thank you John Daniels.

Another move that is being rumored is the Rangers getting Mike Lowell from the Boston Red Sox for the Texas Rangers Max Ramirez. This deal is not official, mostly because the Texas Rangers have some worries over Mike Lowell and his problematic 36 year old hip. Mike Lowell would add a much needed right handed batter to the Rangers lineup, and losing Max Ramirez is not that big of a deal due to the fact that the Rangers are so strong at the catching position.

Resources:
YahooSports! – Mike Lowell rumor
Evan Grant – Millwood and Harden

Texas Rangers to be purchased by Exxon Mobil?

This is just a rumor, and I was unable to find out whether there is any validity to this. The same comment was left on a post over at the Rangers Blog on Dallas News. Although if this were true, I would certainly be happy, The Rangers would still be run by Nolan Ryan and Tom Hicks would be replaced by Exxon Mobil.

However until anything substantial comes out in the most likely scenario is Tom Hicks holding on to a stake in the team and rounding up some investors to purchase portions of the team. This will help Tom Hicks out, but is not the best solution for the baseball club, because Tom Hicks will still act as the majority owner with silent partners.

If Exxon Mobil or another company or person were to purchase the Texas Rangers, the team could move on from one of the worst owners in baseball. When Hicks first purchased the club he signed A-Rod and threw money at this thing without a plan, and finally with Nolan Ryan in the drivers seat the mess has been cleaned up. So Tom please sell the team.

Here is the comment from one of our old posts about Tom Hicks money problems:

ATTENTION ALL RANGERS FANS!!!

Your White Knight has arrived, ExxonMobil Oil Company of Irving Texas, to buy out Tom Hicks and take control of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club with a $**700,000,000** purchase.

Nolan Ryan would join the Board of Directors of ExxonMobil, would receive 5% ownership of the Rangers, and, most importantly, would be the ‘Control’ owner of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club.

ExxonMobil would hold 95% ownership and act as a silent partner and investment banker for the Rangers.

Bud Selig would bless this transaction by awarding the rights to host the 2012 MLB All-Star Game to the Texas Rangers.

And they lived happily ever after….Except for one thing.

This deal WILL NOT HAPPEN if you sit on your hands and remain silent.

All YOU have to do to make the dream a reality is to phone, fax, write, e-mail, and demonstrate [in front of ExxonMobil corporate HQ in Irving Texas if need be] to ExxonMobil and tell them to underwrite this deal.

WE NEED TO HEAR YOU NOW RANGERS FANS!!!!

MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD…CONTACT EXXONMOBIL TODAY!!!!