--OF Milton Bradley was offered salary arbitration, ensuring the Rangers would at least recoup a draft pick in compensation if Bradley signs elsewhere. The Rangers would get a "sandwich round" pick between the first- and second rounds of the draft, probably at about the 50th overall spot. The club did not offer arbitration to its other free agents, INF Ramon Vazquez and RHPs Jason Jennings and Jamey Wright.
--RHP Kevin Millwood, who could draw some interest from teams seeking a veteran starter, has dropped close to 15 pounds this winter. Millwood is entering what could be the final year of a deal with the Rangers. He can lock in a club option for 2010 if he reaches 180 innings next season. Club president Nolan Ryan urged Millwood to lose 20 pounds at the end of the 2008 season. --Though various Internet reports have connected the Rangers with Japanese free agent RHPs Kenshin Kawakami and Toji Uehara, but GM Jon Daniels said the club has no active conversations with any Japanese free agents. RHP Junichi Tazawa declined an offer from the Rangers to sign with Boston.
--The Rangers have hired former Houston hitting coach Harry Spilman as a roving minor league instructor. Spilman is also expected to handle a lot of the field coordinator's duties. The Rangers also are expected to hire an infield coordinator.
--Rangers minor league pitching coordinator Rick Adair was hired as the Seattle Mariners' pitching coach. The Rangers have openings for a minor league pitching coordinator and two minor league pitching coaches.
BY THE NUMBERS: .999 -- OF Milton Bradley's OPS this year.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "For the most part, we've been focusing on players who fit with our long-range plans. Most of those are younger players." -- GM Jon Daniels
