That article was written by the Rangers beat writer for that site, and self proclaimed #1 Rangers fan. I found it odd that he'd never heard of Matt West prior to last year. By most accounts the top arms in the Rangers system are Martin Perez, Neil Ramirez, Robbie Ross and Tanner Scheppers. I think he was just awed by how well Matt did in his first year as a pitcher in the system. And West really did well, considering the level of competition. Definitely someone to keep an eye on this year.

The Oakland A's have signed both Merkin Valdez and Fabio Castro to minor league contracts.

The Brewers have signed Seth McClung to a MiL contract. Kinda a head scratcher since he wasn't overly effective for Round Rock before the Rangers released him.

"You look at left-handed catchers that have power from the left side, who are they?" general manager Jon Daniels said. "You can count them on one hand. He profiles pretty well there -- his body type, his arm strength. If he can catch, his bat has a chance to be a little bit of a separator."

This is what JD said following the report that Tommy Mendonca will work out as a catcher.

Saw in a report that Olt has been invited to camp also to work at at 1st. Both Olt and Mendonca are currently 3rd basemen, right?

Yes they are both natural 3B.

•The Rangers signed right-hander Sean Green and left-hander Mitch Stetter to minor league contracts that include invitations to Spring Training, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan writes.

Mitch Stetter:
<http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stettmi01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker

(in case you don't already know) Sean Green:
<http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/greense01.shtml?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker&utm_campaign=Linker

Sean Green.. isn't that the comedian?

I can see this as a precautionary move if we aren't able to re-sign Hamilton. If Hammy is gone, Moreland replaces him in LF in '13 and Olt starts at 1B. Olt's destined for 1B for at least his first few years in the bigs with Beltre locked in at 3B for at least the next 4 years w/option for '16. Don't know how long Beltre will last at 3B because he's 30+, so Olt and Beltre can switch places later on in Beltre's contract.

Mendonca is being tested out at C in Frisco this year. Olt is moving up to Frisco this year so he'll take Mendonca's place at 3B with the Roughriders.

Here's an updated organizational depth chart:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0An_llCxlA4zVdE9iekZOd0xlM25rNmNEYnRRaTZzUkE&hl=en#gid=15

Thought that I'd see how Cespedes is doing in DR Winter League
http://wwitv.com/tv_channels/7469.htm
I still have no clue. BUT I hear games are regularly played on that station.

I don't know about Cespedes. I've seen scouting reports saying he could be anyone from another Wily Mo Pena for a floor to another Adam Jones for a ceiling. He has huge power but he whiffs a lot like Pena, but he also's pretty athletic and can run just like Jones. He could be a multi-tool guy, maybe a 20-HR/20-SB guy but who knows if he'll hit for a decent average.

I've also read where he'll need at least 2 years of developmental time in the minors. We're kind of lacking in upper-level OF prospects aside from Martin, and Cruz and Hammy aren't getting any younger, so I wouldn't mind if we took a chance on Cespedes. He has played CF but he profiles as a COF more than a CF which is good since we have Martin at CF for the long-term.

just turned it on to a game. just heard the word 'juevos' I must be getting ready to watch some balls.

Good luck. I've read that Cespedes has already stopped playing in the DR league on the advice of MLB teams, so trying to see how he's doing might be tough. I suspect that the next time he plays will be in spring training.

If that was after the 20th than that might be true... anyway it's always good to watch 'juevos'

I've read that the Nationals consider Cepedes either a corner outfielder or a 1stbasman. I thought that interesting since the Rangers could use a hot prospect at 1stbase.

All the same, and without knowing any more than just reading, I'd rather see the Rangers sign that Soler kid (not sure how it's spelled) to go along with their young outfielders Jeremy Williams, Ronald Guzman and Nomar Mazara. That way they can keep this current core together while the kids learn the ropes.

I'll also be watching Mason Tobin and Kevin Matthews this year to see which is ready for the next step. Might make Matthews my pick-to-click this season, but Rougned Odor and Ryan Rua might make me change my mind.

Sounds to me that everybody but the rumor mongers likes the soler kid. Rumor is the Cubs are hot on the Cespedes train.

Like Soler too because he has more upside than Cespedes, but he's maybe 2 years behind in terms of development. Either one's good. I'd prefer Cespedes because he's closer to the bigs and we have nothing above Myrtle Beach in terms of OF prospects, but with Soler around to go with Cone, Skole, and Akins, we'd have 4 OF'ers at A-level with elite athleticism. Soler is a 20/20 guy in the making.

Being two years behind is my point. You have to assume the Rangers re-sign Josh Hamilton. Any other scenario might happen but shouldn't be considered at this point. Next to Michael Young he's the face of the franchise, and in many outsider's minds he's the first to come to mind. Slot in Gentry or Martin (whichever proves the best), re-sign Nelson Cruz or someone worthy of rightfield and you've got your outfield for the next 3-5 years.

Then along comes Mazara, Guzman, Soler, Williams, Akins, Cone, Skole.....and hopefully a few more.....

It's a procession that allows the current core to try to win championships while planning for the future. Few prospects prove to be MLers. Stock 'em up, and when they're 22-25 years three should stand out for the next title run. I just don't see the need for Cespedes at the premium price he'll demand when his position is in good hands right now.

Of course, let me reiterate that this is without the benefit of eyes. I could be dead wrong.

By ESPNDallas.com

The Rangers have signed free-agent outfielder Kyle Hudson to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to major league spring training.

Hudson, 25, advanced from the Carolina League to the majors in the Baltimore Orioles organization in 2011. The left-handed batter combined for a .296 average with 23 RBIs and 41 stolen bases in 119 games with <Frederick (High A), Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk before being promoted Sept. 1. Hudson was 4-for-28 with two RBIs and two steals in 14 games with Baltimore, starting seven games in right and one in center.

He was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Jan. 13 and released six days later.

The University of Illinois product was the Orioles’ fourth-round selection in the 2008 draft. Hudson has 119 stolen bases in his four minor league seasons and led the Carolina League with 40 steals at Frederick in 2010.