Most of the time when it comes to drama and sports in and around the city of Dallas, it has something to do with the Cowboys. Maybe the Rangers noticed how popular the Cowboys have gotten because of it, because they've been creating their own drama this winter in their own infield. You all know the story by now. Team tells shortstop to change positions, shortstop tells team where they can stick their position change, shortstop then tells team he was drunk and didn't mean it, and just wants to move on -- or over as the case may be -- and that he loves them.Tears are shed, hugs are exchanged, and life goes back to normal. Boring, routine, normal. Then the team sees that ratings are starting to drop and they realize they need to inject some "star power" into the equation, so they find that older player who has fallen on hard times and can't get the bigger roles to do some guest spots. All of which is an extremely long-winded and unnecessary way to tell you the Rangers are going to sign Omar Vizquel. DUN. DUN. DUNNNNN.
[the Rangers] are close to a non-roster contract with free-agent shortstop Omar Vizquel.Vizquel has been on the decline the last few seasons, which tends to happen when you're 41. He hit only .222/.283/.267 (BA/OBP/SLG) with the Giants last season and the ground he can cover at short keeps getting smaller, but, if nothing else, he can be a very helpful mentor for Andrus at shortstop and he does provide help off the bench if he makes the roster.
Vizquel will come into camp primarily as a utility infielder and backup to rookie shortstop Elvis Andrus. Vizquel is also on Venezuela's provisional roster for the World Baseball Classic.
The Rangers will also announce on Tuesday that they've come to terms with Frank Francisco on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration and the possiblity of having Frank throw a chair at them during the hearings. Francisco figures to be the Rangers' closer this season.
