Rangers chat: What about the new guy?  —  Rangers beat writer Evan Grant answered questions about the team on Tuesday, Nov. 7.  —  Evan Grant: Welcome to the Ron Washington era.  If his opening press conference is any indication, the Washington Era will be full of candid, honest, often funny, moments.

Notes: Phillies expected to pursue Soriano; Jennings stays in Colorado  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Hoping to protect Ryan Howard in the middle of their lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies are expected to make a strong push for Alfonso Soriano.  —  General manager Pat Gillick said he can't speak …

Towers' option picked up for 2008  —  Padres Chief Executive Officer Sandy Alderson said Tuesday night he has picked up the option on General Manager Kevin Towers for 2008, guaranteeing Towers a seven-figure income for that year.  —  When Alderson took over as CEO in May 2005 …

Update: Gravity-Defying Baseball Pitch Ready for U.S.  —  American baseball fans are preparing to finally get a closer look at the "gyroball," a pitch that may or may not really exist, but one that has been steadily gaining notoriety over the past year.  —  The pitcher most often associated …

Report: Gooden scheduled to be released from prison  —  GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former baseball star Dwight Gooden is set to be released from prison Thursday after finishing a sentence for violating his probation by using cocaine.  —  "He's eager to get home and see his family again," …

Nats sign 21 Minor League free agents  —  Two pitchers, infielder, outfielder added to 40-man roster  —  WASHINGTON — In need of depth in both their 40-man roster and Minor League system, the Nationals agreed to terms with 21 Minor League free agents.  —  Right-handers Tim Redding and Joel Hanrahan …

Expect a bidding war for Japan's Matsuzaka  —  The days are shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and NBA games are infecting the television.  —  In baseball, that means it's almost open season on free agents.  —  So to get you ready for one of the most frantic (and expensive) …

Lonnie Smith Wanted To Shoot John Schuerholz  —  We had heard that Lonnie Smith, the former Cardinals and Braves outfielder whose frenetic baserunning was almost as breathtaking as watching him try to play defense (Bill James once pointed out that Smith "really does fall down almost every game) …

Darryl Strawberry: Live And In Person  —  "We used to tag-team women.  I know all you dudes in here know what I mean when I say that.  We used to laugh about it, but now I know it was really wrong."  —  That sentence was uttered today by Darryl Strawberry, the star player on the world champion …

Reports: Athletics will build stadium in Fremont  —  The Oakland Athletics are expected to announce next week they will build a new stadium in suburban Fremont, Calif., the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News reported Tuesday, citing sources close to negotiations for the deal.

Winter of discontent for Sox?  —  Exodus of prospects from Venezuela no problem, Guillen says  —  Venezuela has produced White Sox standout shortstops Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio and Ozzie Guillen, as well as top Venezuelan victory leader Freddy Garcia.

Centers Thomas, Haywood Reportedly in Recent Fight  —  Washington Wizards centers Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood were involved in a physical altercation last Thursday in which the two traded punches at Verizon Center, according to two team sources.  —  One source, who requested anonymity …

Rockies add Alan Cockrell and Glenallen Hill to Major League coaching staff  —  Both hires come from within Rockies organization  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have announced two additions to the major league coaching staff.  Alan Cockrell, a part of the organization for the last nine years, was named the club's hitting coach.

Offseason preview: Shop swap  —  The owners had things under control there for a few years, didn't they?  —  Times were tight, they said.  Offers from different teams for the same players were strangely similar.  —  Only George Steinbrenner and a few others were willing to step out of line to pay for premium talent.