--1B Hank Blalock's $6.2 million option was picked up by the Rangers. Blalock has missed significant parts of the last two seasons with injuries and can no longer play third, but he hit .337 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in September after finally getting healthy. The Rangers could explore using him as a first baseman or DH next season, or they could try to trade him.
--The Rangers stole pitching coach Mike Maddux away from Milwaukee with a two-year deal worth more than $1 million. Maddux becomes the Rangers' eighth pitching coach since 2000. He inherits a staff that had the majors' highest ERA in 2008 and also has the highest ERA in the majors since 2000. Andy Hawkins, who served as interim pitching coach for the final two months of the season, will take over as bullpen coach. --A dozen of the organization's top young pitchers were to converge on Rangers Ballpark in Arlington for the team's first conditioning camp. The weeklong affair was scheduled to begin Nov. 10. The pitchers are likely to return in January for a minicamp, but this get-together is all about sprinting and squatting. The campers will come from a group of young pitchers who either had some time in the majors in 2008 or who could compete for a job in 2009. The group includes RHPs Brandon McCarthy, Eric Hurley, Neftali Feliz and Tommy Hunter and LHP Derek Holland.
--INF Joaquin Arias was expected to be cleared to start playing shortstop in the Dominican Republic by Nov. 15. Arias, a natural shortstop, has had shoulder problems for much of the last two years. When he did play in the field, he was limited to second base. If Arias' arm strength holds up, he could contend for a job as the team's utility player in 2009.
--C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who missed the last month of the season with inflammation near his elbow, was also expected to be cleared by the middle of the month to go to the Dominican Republic to start playing catcher. Saltalamacchia has drawn trade interest from several teams, along with the rest of the Rangers catchers (Taylor Teagarden, Gerald Laird and Max Ramirez). Florida, Boston and Detroit were among those teams most interested in obtaining one of the Rangers' catchers. The Rangers are seeking big-league-ready pitching in return.
--OF/DH Milton Bradley is likely to test the free agent market after the exclusive negotiating period ends Nov. 13, Rangers GM Jon Daniels said. The Rangers would like to keep Bradley, but he is searching for a multiyear deal and it's uncertain how long of a commitment the Rangers are willing to make to him.
BY THE NUMBERS: 17.35 -- At-bats per home run for Rangers rookie 1B/3B Chris Davis in 2008. It ranked as the 11th-highest ratio in the AL for players with at least 80 games. Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria, who was expected to win the AL Rookie of the Year, averaged a homer every 16.59 at-bats. Detroit's Marcus Thames led the league by averaging a homer every 12.64 at-bats.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He brings a balance of all the attributes we are looking for. He had to overcome some injuries as a pitcher, so he understands that aspect. As a coach, he's very quickly developed a tremendous reputation. He's had success with stars, success with guys who have bounced around and success with young pitchers. ... And he's humble -- I can't stress how important that is." -- Rangers GM Jon Daniels on new pitching coach Mike Maddux.
