Thursday newsletter time: History says Rangers could be active soon after departing winter meetings
(AP photo/Gregory Bull)
SAN DIEGO — Since my time on the Rangers beat, which started at the 2007 winter meetings in Nashville, the Rangers have usually not made headlines at the meetings but have over the next couple weeks.
Such was the case in 2019, when the Rangers went home from here empty-handed but two days later struck a deal for Corey Kluber (and, eventually, were empty-handed again). The Rangers signed Shin-Soo Choo after the 2013 winter meetings, though T.R. Sullivan first broke the news that a deal was near at the meetings in Orlando (the story was quickly poo-pooed by the Rangers, only to turn out to be true).
A trade for left-hander Ross Detwiler came down in the waning moments of the 2014 winter meetings in San Diego. In fact, reporters were about to pile into a cab for airport when news of it broke.
The Adrian Beltre signing came shortly after New Year’s Day in 2011. Winning the Yu Darvish posting fee came down in December 2011 after a brutal winter meetings in Dallas in which the Angels signed Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson.
It’s not always good news.
Cliff Lee took the Phillies’ offer a week after the 2010 winter meetings in Orlando. Josh Hamilton bolted to the Angels the week after the 2012 winter meetings in Nashville. That news came down at the Rangers’ annual holiday luncheon with the media. It’s the maddest I’ve seen Jon Daniels.
That history lesson is an indication that just because the winter meetings are done, the Rangers aren’t going to be taking any time off.
Don’t fall asleep on them.
Fan Fest returns
Put a circle around Jan. 28, Rangers fans. Fan Fest is back.
The Rangers announced that their winter festival will return this offseason at Globe Life Field. Tickets ($10 for adults, $5 for kids 13 and under) can be purchased beginning at 10 a.m. Friday at www.texasrangers.com/fanfest.
Autographs are always the big draw, and availabilities will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 28. Players will be stationed on the main concourse or in the area in center field above the team store.
Personally, I like the Q&A sessions, which will take place in the Stub Hub Club. There’s usually one with the general manager and the manager, and my guess is the newcomers to the team will get a turn on the stage.
You won’t know unless you go.
ICYMI …
The winter meetings are over, at least as far as the Rangers are concerned. Many in San Diego were flying out Wednesday afternoon to be ready for the Jacob deGrom press conference Thursday at Globe Life Field. GM Chris Young, obviously, will be there, and so will manager Bruce Bochy. And Rangers Today. Speaking of the winter meetings, some stuff happened. Here’s our latest, in case you missed it.
Links for latest Rangers Today Baseball Podcast episode (Michael Young)
Doggy video!
Somebody’s hungry. Enjoy.
OH BOY OH BOY… FOOD!! pic.twitter.com/gFYBFOwlvf
— Madeyousmile (@Thund3rB0lt) December 7, 2022
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
