Opening day of the minor league season I mean.  It's funny, in past years I couldn't wait for the season to start.  This year I guess I am at best ambivalent.  I'm not sure how much of it is the fact that I know its the last year as a Rangers affiliate and thus I don't really want to get attached to any of the players since next year they will be "the enemy", but I know that is part of it.  Though on the plus side it will save me a lot of money because next year I'll be able to cancel my Rangers and Roughriders season tickets!  Anyway, I'm hoping that once the season starts I'll get back in the swing of it.  What about you all?  Are you excited for the season to start?

Still no word on our exact roster, but its starting to become clear with the moves the Rangers have been making lately.  This is what we know definitely.  Max Ramirez and Matt Treanor will be our main catchers though I still expect that Kevin Richardson will be here as well.  Justin Smoak will man 1B and our other infielders will be Gregorio Petit, Hernan Iribarren, Esteban German, Matt Brown and likely Wes Bankston.  The outfield will be manned by Mitch Moreland, Craig Gentry and Brandon Boggs along with Chad Tracy most likely.  Our starting rotation definitely has Brandon McCarthy and Derek Holland who will likely be joined by Michael Ballard, possibly Michael Kirkman and I am still hoping Kasey Kiker.  Guillermo Moscosco (if the Rangers don't want him to be in the pen in case of a call up) and Elizardo Ramirez are also roster candidates.  Whoever doesn't make the roster are likely to land in the pen along with Clay Rapada, Geoff Geary, Wille Eyre and Pedro Strop.  I've pretty much accepted that neither of my personal favorites Brennan Garr nor Andrew Laughter start the year in OKC.

Speaking of the season, I have a rant.  Has anyone gotten their season tickets yet or been told how to get them?  Frisco and Texas both Fed Ex'd my tickets back in March, but neither Doug nor I have gotten our RedHawks tickets.  If they weren't going to mail them, why did they charge us a $10 "service fee" this year?

The Rangers worked out a trade for Ben Snyder who they had claimed from the Giants in the Rule 5 draft.  He has been assigned to Frisco.  Luis Mendoza was traded to Kansas City for cash considerations.

Scott Feldman cashed in this week, signing a 2-yr extension.  If you have read this blog for any length of time you know Scott is one of my boys, so good for him!  The Rangers added Andres Blanco and Ryan Garko to their roster this week, which is why both Ramirez and Brown should start in OKC.  Joaquin Arias got a reprieve when Kinsler went on the DL to start the season, but once he is activated Joaquin will be placed on waivers and likely claimed, ending his time in the Rangers organization.  Best of luck to Joaquin where ever he ends up!

Speaking of Joaquin's, ex-Hawk Joaquin Benoit was just sent down to AAA by the Rays.  Ex-Hawk Hank Blalock may or may not be his teammate there.  Hank had originally said he wouldn't go to AAA, but appears to be backing off that some what.  I'd rather see them both in Tampa, but now a road trip to Durham may be in order!

In other news, ex-RedHawk Jared Hyatt was released by the Rangers.  Jason Botts signed with Camden in the Atlantic League per Jeff.  The Cubbies optioned by buddy Micah Hoffpauir to Iowa.  The Phillies released Jason Standridge and optioned John Mayberry, Jr. to AAA.  Bobby Hill signed with the Newark Bears.  It seems like just yesterday he was in town with the I-Cubs as a can't miss prospect. 

 Several Rangers minor leaguers have blogs this season that may be interesting reads if you are so inclined.  They include Michael Schlact and Tim Steggall.  Ex-RedHawk Beau Vaughn is apparently reprising his blog as well.

If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend Dirk Hayhurst's "The Bullpen Gospels" about life in the minor leagues.  So far, the only "code names" I have figured out is "frenchy", but I'll eventually figure out the rest! LOL  Anyway, it's available from Amazon for just over $8.00 at this link.