Sports Transactions

Five Key Holes the Rangers Need to Fill This Winter, and How They Should Fill Them

Just a few days after the 2012 MLB season kicked off in Japan, one of the elite players scheduled to become a free agent in the coming offseason took himself off the market. The Giants enticed Matt Cain to stay in San Francisco, signing him to a six-year, $127.5 million contract extension -- the mos ... More >>

Why (and How) the Rangers Should Go All In as the Trade Deadline Looms

What a week for Your Texas Rangers. Nolan Ryan and Ron Washington took turns publicly ripping Josh Hamilton for the alarming lack of discipline he's displayed at the plate, increasing the likelihood that he'll be headed elsewhere this offseason. Fans booed the slumping slugger at home for the firs ... More >>

A Texas Rangers Midseason Report: It's Time to Go All In

With the baseball season at the symbolic halfway point, we asked former Unfair Parker Sam Merten to root around in his beard and see if he could come up with anything to say. He obliged ... and obliged ... and ... Sports are unpredictable. That's why we watch. And there's no greater evidence than t ... More >>

The NBA Lockout is (Almost) Over. Here's What the Mavs Need to Do Before Christmas Day.

Editor's note: Rob Mahoney writes about the Mavericks on his ESPN-affiliated blog The Two Man Game and about basketball for The New York Times's Off the Dribble blog. Presumably his New York Times bio will henceforth note that he now writes about the Mavericks for Unfair Park. Hark: The NBA season ... More >>

After Club Signs Nathan, Moves Neffy to Rotation, Rangers Offer Wilson Arbitration

​My bad. Been meaning to get back in here and post something, anything, of note, and there's been plenty in recent days. And as Josh's Broken Groin notes, it's been way too long. So then, to today's Breaking, or Broken, Rangers News: The club has offered salary arbitration for next season to C.J. ... More >>

Mark Cuban Wants to Adios the NBA's Salary Cap? Apparently. Quite the "Game Changer."

Photo by Sam Merten​This morning's New York Times looks at the NBA lockout and wonders whether all the owners -- those from small markets, those with big payrolls, those losing money, those winning titles -- are on the same page when it comes to demanding givebacks from their players. Long story s ... More >>

Cruz-ing to Another World Series: Rangers-Tigers ALCS Game 5 Preview and Open Thread

Photos by Sam MertenNelson Cruz giving me a free ticket to the gun show last year.As the trade deadline approached in July 2006, it seemed inevitable that Jon Daniels would make a bold move to bolster a mediocre offense in his first season as general manager. He targeted the best hitter on the mar ... More >>

Fear the 'Stache: Texas Rangers-Detroit Tigers ALCS Game 2 Preview and Open Thread

Back in February 2009, I penned a cover story about the Texas Rangers' new philosophy of relying on kiddos from their farm system instead of throwing big money at the likes of Alex Rodriguez, Chan Ho Park and Kevin Millwood. The youth movement was in full swing that spring as Elvis Andrus took over ... More >>

Michael Young Wants Out and I Don't Blame Him

​He's been the face of the franchise for a decade, the team spokesman who was left to explain a lot of  horrible Texas Rangers' baseball. He's been a batting champ, an All-Star Game MVP and a Gold Glove fielder with a sparkling image. He's moved from second to short to third to, now, ... More >>

Werth It? Doing the Rangers' Math as Fat Contracts Swirl Around MLB Winter Meetings.

Photos by Sam MertenDamn. If Jayson Werth commands a seven-year, $126 million deal, how much is this guy worth?​Prior to the beginning of baseball's winter meetings yesterday at Walt Disney World Resort, a flurry of activity resulted in big-name players dealt and fat contracts inked. Predictab ... More >>

Do the Rangers' New Owners Have the Money and Will to Build on a Winning Formula?

The Case Against Cliff Lee

​Whether free agent Cliff Lee chooses to re-sign with the Rangers because of Arlington's proximity to his Arkansas home or bolts to New York for the extra dough, his decision undoubtedly shapes the future of both teams significantly. Yet in all that's been said and written about Lee, rarely do ... More >>

The Texas Rangers Thrive while Owner Tom Hicks' Sports Empire Crumbles.

The Dallas Stars Settle It: Mike Modano Will Not Be Offered a Contract For Next Season

​When I spoke with Mike Modano in April, he didn't know what the future held -- if he would be retiring following the season, if he'd move into ownership or if he'd come back and play one final season with the Stars or, God forbid, someone else. But he was clear about one thing: He wanted the deci ... More >>

And the Dallas Cowboys' Most Over-Achieving Player of 2009 is ...

​Would you believe the guy who lost the cornerback battle to Pro Bowler Mike Jenkins? That's right, Orlando Scandrick. According to the NFL's performance-based bonus system, Scandrick was the Cowboys' biggest bang-for-buck player last season. As a 5th-round draft pick who started one gam ... More >>

Okay, Football's Over. On to 2010 and What?

​Yeah, yeah. Who Dat and all that. Congratulations. Hug a troubled city. Now, let's move on. To 2010. Next season is now this season. When the NFL kicks off next season your Dallas Cowboys will be a favorite to play in Super Bowl XLV next Februrary in Arlington. According to one online g ... More >>

Okay, So How Do the Cowboys Get Better?

​Though I and some crafty old-timers think it's a bad move, Wade Philllips will be back as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Yawn. The bar for Cowboys' football has been lowered further than I expected. Once upon a time this proud franchise - America's Team, anyone? - measured success via Sup ... More >>

Rangers’ GM Jon Daniels Has Matured Into One of Baseball’s Best Brains

Seattle Showdown

NBA Free Agency Commences in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ...

Love him or not, gotta have him back. Right?So, the Mavs made a big deal yet? Well, GM Donnie Nelson promised a "very active summer," so let's hop to it. Actually, though NBA free agency is just hatching, Dallas may be already making progress. That is, if you consider re-signing Jason Kidd pr ... More >>

Cowboys' Draft Haul Up to 11 Picks

More good news for Cowboys fans this morning comes courtesy of Julius Jones and Jacques Reeves. Remember them? Because the former Cowboys left via free agency and played kinda decent, the NFL has awarded Dallas compensatory picks in the fifth and sixth rounds in next month's draft. The Cowboys, ... More >>

False Kings

The Hapless Texas Rangers Turn to their Farm System

Wrapping Up Jon Daniels' Third Year As Rangers GM

Armando Galaragga was the only thing of value Jon Daniels was able to get from the Alfonso Soriano trade. Then he gave him away for a player the Rangers released. Whoops. You want more hot-stove baseball talk from Sam? Merry Christmas ... As mentioned yesterday, Jon Daniels is entering his fourt ... More >>

A Christmas List for Jon Daniels

Here in The Sportatorium, every now and then we like to talk baseball. I mean hard-core, balls-and-strikes baseball. By "every now and then" I mean this morning. And by "we", of course, I mean seamhead colleague Sam Merten. Sam, the floor is yours: For those of you distracted by Sean Avery's ... More >>

Hoop It Up

See Cooper and FC Dallas take the field

The Mavs and the Mav-Nots

The Rangers' Milton Bradley, the Hot-Head with a Hot Bat, Has Gotta Go

Terry Glenn on the Receiving End of Cowboys’ Shenanigans

"Mr. President." "Mr. President." And Other Rangers Giggles.

"The Best Point Guard to Enter the Draft Since Isiah Thomas"

Tom Hicks: Wait Till Next Year … Or The Next ... Or The Next ...

Reading For Saves

Carter Country

The Buck Starts Here

New Texas Rangers manager Buck Showalter makes the team much better. Problem is, he can’t hit leadoff, play center field or pitch.

Olden Throat

Mavs play-by-play guy Jim Durham didn't have 'nuff pizzazz--so buh-bye