Rangers Make Another Splash in Acquiring Shin-Soo Choo

General manager Jon Daniels and the Texas Rangers aren't messing around. In their second major move of the offseason on Saturday morning, the Rangers inked free agent Shin-Soo Choo to a seven-year deal worth $130 million. The development took place exactly a month after Texas traded for slugger Prince Fielder.

Talk about bolstering the lineup in a hurry. It's still four days before Christmas, and about two months before Spring Training. Considering how many moving pieces have already factored into the offseason equation, it feels like we're playing a speed game of Checkers.

Reaction to Rangers Trading Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder

Naturally, when news broke of the Texas Rangers trading Ian Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers for Prince Fielder, I was in the middle of a two-hour advanced movie screening with no access to my phone (if you haven't seen "Book Thief," I recommend it). Shortly after I walked out of the theater, I glanced at my iPhone and noticed eight text messages and a voicemail.

"Big Trade" was the first text I saw from my college buddy Wilson. My mom and brother simply exclaimed "Fielder!" while my other college buddy Brett left a voicemail asking for my thoughts.

Wow. What a rush. Where do I start?

My first thought on the short drive home last night was to evaluate the specifics of the contracts. Fielder (age 29) has seven years and $168 million left on his deal, while Kinsler (age 31) is still owed $62 million over four years. Thankfully, Detroit kicked in $30 million along with Fielder to complete the trade, bringing the price tag on Fielder to $138 million over seven years. Overall, I like that price for Texas.

NBA Podcast: How Good Will the Dallas Mavericks Be in 2013-14?

It figures to be relatively silent in Rangers land for a few weeks with the World Series going on and the winter hot stove still in the preheating stage.

My sports attention is starting to turn to basketball. As a native of Plano, I've been a longtime Dallas Mavericks fan. In 2011, I drove from Lawrence to Dallas the weekend the Mavs won the NBA title. Best weekend road trip ever.

The 2013-14 NBA season is about a week away. So how good will the Mavs be this year? For that answer, I turned to my good friend Sam, who's as well-versed as anyone I know when it comes to Mavs hoops. Check out the podcast below:

PODCAST: What do the Rangers Need to Address This Offseason?

Watching some of these American League and National League championship games naturally sends me into reflection mode, as a longtime fan of the Texas Rangers.

For instance: Bengie Molina's homer against the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS in 2010; Cliff Lee dominating the Rays and capturing the franchise's first-ever playoff series victory in 2010; Neftali Feliz striking out A-Rod to capture the team's first-ever World Series berth in 2010; beating the Tigers to advance to the club's second straight World Series in 2011.

When you're a baseball fan, the fall season naturally feels different when your team is part of the postseason chase.

Rangers Not Done: Could Nelson Cruz's Return Spark Rangers Enough to Make Noise?

Three scorching hot teams in the American League wild card chase finished their 2013 seasons in the following fashion:

Cleveland (92-70) Won 10 straight
Texas (91-71): Won 7 straight
Tampa Bay (91-71): Won 8 of 10

So much drama in the M-L-B.

Dear Cleveland and Tampa Bay: Please Lose. Signed, Everyone.

Quick, someone poison the food of the Cleveland Indians who order room service this weekend in Minnesota. OK, maybe don't. But it seems that's the only way these guys will chalk one up in the "L" column right now.

Cleveland and Tampa Bay sit one game ahead of the Rangers for the final American League wild card spot with two games left in the 2013 regular season. Is it me, or does it seem like the flippin' Indians will ... not ... ever .... lose ... again ... seriously, like for the rest of time. Their eight in a row seem like 50 in a row.

Friends, welcome to September baseball.

Another Baseball Stadium Crossed off Bucket List: PETCO Park

San Diego - Whenever I visit an MLB stadium for the first time, it's an opportunity to cross off items from my sports bucket list. As a baseball dork, that consists of visiting all 30 MLB parks at some point in my lifetime.

This past weekend, my list became one park smaller after I attended a game at PETCO Park in San Diego. The Padres lost, 5-2, to the Mets.

Here's my running tally of parks attended:

1. Rangers Ballpark in Arlington: Texas Rangers
2. Kaufmann Stadium: Kansas City Royals
3. Wrigley Field: Chicago Cubs
4. Coors Field: Colorado Rockies
5. Dodger Stadiun: L.A. Dodgers
6. Sun Life Stadium: Florida Marlins (mid '90s)
7. PETCO Park: San Diego Padres

Reflection on Rangers Trading for Alex Rios

Given Chicago's initial asking price, which was somewhere high in outer space between Neptune and Pluto, trading for Alex Rios seemed like a stretch a few days ago for the Texas Rangers. Parting with any package headlined by Jurickson Profar, Leonys Martin or Martin Perez wasn't going to happen. So the Rangers stood pat at the July 31 trade deadline in their pursuit of a bat to replace the recently suspended Nelson Cruz.

It's a good thing that's all Texas did.

Giant Payroll Doesn't Necessarily Translate to Success Anymore in MLB

I noticed a common theme this weekend with some of the top payrolls in Major League Baseball. Two of the top three could very well miss the playoffs (bolded) in 2013.

Take a look at the complete list here. To be clear, we're talking opening day payroll in 2013:

• 1. New York Yankees: $228,995,945
• 2. L.A. Dodgers: $216,302,909
• 3. Philadelphia Phillies: $159,578,214

The Long Awaited MLB All-Star Game Post From Citi Field

New York - I made it back from the All-Star Game on schedule, but due to an inconsiderate friend's wedding, I am just now giving my report.

Before I get into the All-Star festivities, how about JD coming through on Monday and getting Matt Garza?! As you probably can figure out from my previous post, I am absolutely thrilled. Hopefully, the Rangers are now turning their attention to acquiring an outfield bat (Hunter Pence or Alex Rios), especially with the Ryan Braun suspension coming down from MLB today (Nelson Cruz might be in trouble).

Reaction to Rangers trade to acquire Matt Garza from Cubs

Photo credit: ESPN.com

In a deal that had been rumored to take place for several days, the Texas Rangers pulled the hot stove trigger to acquire Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs for prospects Mike Olt, C.J. Edwards and Justin Grimm.

There's no doubt this deal makes Texas a better team this season. But what about beyond then? Jury's still out.

What Needs to Happen for the Rangers to Make Playoff Run in 2013

A few things have to happen for the Texas Rangers to emerge as American League West champions this season. In a first half littered with injuries to the starting rotation, it's amazing Texas sits at 54-41, two games back of Oakland in the division.

Matt Harrison, Alexi Ogando, Colby Lewis and Neftali Feliz all missed significant time on the shelf in the first half. The offense at times has looked putrid. To be sitting at 54-41 is a testament to this team's depth.

That said, Texas won't make the playoffs if it rides this personnel into August and September. Situations have to change. Here are my top 5 things that have to happen for the Rangers to make a playoff run this year:

What Should Rangers Do With Trade Deadline Looming?

It’s that time of year again and the Rangers are sure to be a major factor as we near the 2013 trade deadline. Even without a potential 50-game suspension coming for Nelson Cruz, the Rangers are looking for a starting pitcher and a bat (this gets capitalized and bolded if MLB drops the hammer on Nelly).

I’m sure general manager Jon Daniels is miles ahead of me, but I’m going to take a stab at offering my thoughts on a few trade scenarios.

My Picks for 2013 MLB All-Star Game

With a little more than a week left until the halfway point of the 2013 season, the Texas Rangers stand at 50-36, a half-game back of the Athletics for first place in the American League West. It's been a rocky first half, filled with the typical roller-caster rides of momentum, injuries and rising young studs (welcome to the show, Leonys Martin and Tanner Scheppers). It actually feels like a mediocre season, but the team is on pace to win more than 100 games with three rookie pitchers in the starting rotation, so there's not a ton of room for complaining.

What Has Happened to the Texas Rangers?

Arlington, Texas - Just about a month ago, the Texas Rangers held a seven-game lead in the American League West. After tonight, they trail the A's by one game.

Doesn't take much to recognize that it's been an awful month for baseball in North Texas. In fact, the Rangers were at one time 5-12 in the month of June, the worst mark in Major League Baseball. Ouch.

So what the hell happened?

Not much. Put simply, the starting pitching has been horrid and the offense has been nonexistent. I feel like the baseball version of Jim Mora: We couldn't hit the ball. We couldn't throw pitches. We didn't do diddly poo in the month of June.

PODCAST: State of the Texas Rangers Address After 56 Games of 2013 Season

The state of the Texas Rangers 56 games into the 2013 season is rather strong: a 35-21 record (best in the American League); a two-game lead over Oakland in the AL West; a 10.5-game lead over the Angels, who many had in the World Series; and a legitimate ace in Yu Darvish, the kind of guy whose presence is mandatory on a team that has deep postseason aspirations.

For more thoughts on the state of the squad, I recorded a podcast with my old friend Sam, who graduated from Plano West Senior High School with me in 2002. This is the first time I've ever recorded a podcast on the Gametime in Arlington blog. Topics on the first episode include:

• Biggest surprise, disappointment
• Team MVP
• Trade talk 
• Team brass relying on influx of young talent 

Enjoy (you may also download the .mp3 file for the road, as it's 36 minutes total):

How Texas Rangers Have Best Record in American League Despite Depleted Rotation

Three of the five starting pitchers the Texas Rangers hoped would form a robust rotation in 2013 are shelved on the disabled list. This setback would destroy many teams' chances of remaining competitive 25 percent of the way through the season. 

Texas, however, has defied logic in its ability to overcome a depleted rotation that's currently without Matt Harrison, Colby Lewis and Alexi Ogando.

Despite Offseason Criticism, Jon Daniels Building Texas Rangers the Right Way

It's no secret the Texas Rangers took a minor public relations hit this past offseason amidst a winter of inactivity that saw exactly zero big-money free agents sign on the dotted line to play in Arlington.

Media and fans questioned Rangers general manager Jon Daniels for standing pat. After three straight postseason berths - two of which culminated in World Series appearances - fans took a glance at the Rangers' financial flexibility and wanted to reel in a big fish to take the next step and win it all. The mind of the modern-day fan is programmed to think like a Twitter news feed. Give me that instant news, and give me it now.

The Yu Darvish Perfect Game That Wasn't

I was fairly certain that I was going to witness history in the making on Tuesday night, when Rangers ace Yu Darvish took the mound at Houston for his first start of the season. Darvish overmatched everyone in the Astros' anemic lineup, making it appear like he was pitching to a group of little leaguers. This was plain ridiculous, and I was loving every minute of it.

Darvish took a perfect game into the ninth inning, and it was pacing time. This occurs when I'm too riled up to sit down and must remain standing, often times pacing around my apartment in serious fashion as if I'm a college basketball coach during March Madness. I wasn't expecting to pace during the second game of the season. It's so early. But history was in the balance.

Reaction to Rangers Signing Elvis Andrus to 8-Year Extension

I'll be the first to admit Elvis Andrus has been my favorite baseball player for the past three or four years. Therefore, when the news broke early Monday morning that Texas and Andrus agreed to an eight-year contract extension worth $120 million, I was ecstatic. The extension was in addition to the two years that he has left on his current deal, which means Elvis will likely remain in Arlington for the next decade.

Music to my ears.

Rangers Opening Day Couldn't Have Come at a Better Time

Plano, Texas - I knew it was time for baseball season around 9:25 p.m. on Friday night when I touched down in Dallas and checked my phone in a panic for March Madness updates.

Kansas, my alma mater, was facing Michigan in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. I was unable to watch it because I booked a flight weeks ago from Kansas City to Dallas to visit my parents and my brother Dave for my late birthday celebration. I was in the air when the nail-biter of a game ended in heartbreaking fashion: KU had a five-point lead with 21 seconds left in regulation and couldn't hold it, eventually falling, 87-85, in overtime.

Don't ask fans about Rangers standing pat in offseason

I'm not sure I fully understand why the Rangers' offseason is being widely deemed as a failure due to their lack of activity on the trade and free agent markets. Perhaps if Texas stumbles to a third- or fourth-place finish in 2013, the doubters will have the final laugh, but I'm not ready to entertain that thought.

It's amusing to take note of how fans perceive offseason success. In hold-'em poker terms, Texas general manager Jon Daniels has called "check" for the last two months, while other teams have either went all-in (Angels, Dodgers) or bet heavily (Braves, Blue Jays).

When it comes to fan perception, nothing is worse than calling "check" in the offseason. Calling "check" is like saying you don't care.

The way I see it? Sure, this offseason for Texas has been watching-paint-dry boring. But it hasn't been a failure.