/

2005 finish: 79-83, 3^rd place in AL West

Manager: Buck Showalter (4^th season)

Free agents: LHP Kenny Rogers, OF Richard Hidalgo, DH Greg Colbrunn, RHP Steve Karsay, C Sandy Alomar Jr., RHP Doug Brocail, RHP John Wasdin

On the block: 2B Alfonso Soriano, OF Kevin Mench, 3B Hank Blalock, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, 1B/DH Phil Nevin

Looking for: Starting pitching, relievers, corner outfielder

What’s going on: John Hart backed away from the GM role, temporarily surfaced as a possible candidate for the same job in LA, but is back in an advisory capacity. Twenty-eight-year-old Jon Daniels was promoted to replace Hart, but you have to wonder how much real authority he will have working with owner Tom Hicks and manager Buck Showalter. As much as the Rangers need starting pitching, it’s hard to imagine Kenny Rogers being re-signed after a tumultuous season. They will try to add at least one free agent starting pitcher and one setup man, and possibly two each. Alfonso Soriano remains the club’s best bargaining chip for pitching, and there is a second base prospect ready in Ian Kinsler. If not Soriano, then Kevin Mench appears the likeliest to go, as he has attracted a lot of early attention in trade talks. Adrian Gonzalez, who is stuck behind Mark Teixeira, also could go. They would like to deal Phil Nevin and his $10-million salary, but that could prove difficult. Teixeira could get a long-term deal. Rod Barajas and Gary Matthews Jr. also could attract interest in the trade market, or remain in time-share situations with Gerald Laird and Laynce Nix.

HOT STOVE LEAGUE Click for the latest on your favorite teams AL EAST Baltimore Boston N.Y. Yankees Tampa Bay Toronto NL EAST Atlanta Florida N.Y. Mets Philadelphia Washington AL CENTRAL Chi. White Sox Cleveland Detroit Kansas City Minnesota NL CENTRAL Chi. Cubs Cincinnati Houston Milwaukee Pittsburgh St. Louis AL WEST Anaheim Oakland Seattle Texas NL WEST Arizona Colorado Los Angeles San Diego San Francisco

More news

Tony Gutierrez / AP

More heroics from Hamilton

Josh Hamilton fights off illness to hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 13th inning, lifting the Texas Rangers to an 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Angels win as Pujols HR streak up to 3 games

SEATTLE (AP) - Albert Pujols hit a home run in his third straight game and pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo came through with a grand slam in the sixth inning to give the Los Angeles Angels a 5-3 win over the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

Headlines

• Label

Saltalamacchia's walkoff HR lifts Red Sox

Red Sox's Valentine calls out Rays' coaches

Teixeira hits 2 HRs as Yankees rout A's

HBT: Santana pitches first shutout in 2 years

Harper homers as Strasburg, Nats beat Braves

Buehrle, Marlins stay hot, beat Giants

Fielder's 4-hit game lifts Tigers over Twins

Fear of losing Montero leads D-backs to big deal