Monday Notes on the Rangers

• Note: Rangers pitching prospects Omar Beltre and Alexi Ogando will apparently be allowed back in the country after being banned for the last five years.  Need to know: The two players are currently on the restricted list. When they arrive at Surprise, they will have to be reinstated and added to the 40-man roster, at which point two players will have to be dropped to make room for them. Beltre was the more advanced prospect, having reached High-A before the ban. Ogando, a converted outfielder, has had ample time to make the transition. Both reportedly have the ability to reach the big leagues which is why the Rangers maintained their rights by placing them on the restricted list. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that one or both contribute in the big leagues this season out of the pen as they will probably be asked to start in the upper levels of the minor leagues. We should get a better idea what the organization really thinks about them when they are back stateside and a move has to be made to add them to the roster or waive them.

• Note: The Seattle Mariners agreed to a one-year deal with Ryan Garko.  Need to Know: Garko was a player that had been linked to the Rangers as a possibility for the final spot on the roster as a back up 1B and DH power right handed bat. That’s exactly the role he is expected to fill for the Mariners, backing up Casey Kotchman and Ken Griffey, Jr. Based on Jon Daniels comments on Saturday, I did not expect Garko to land in Texas, but I hate to see Seattle pick up another potentially helpful piece.

• Note: Rumors persist that the deal to sell the Rangers to the Greenberg/Ryan group is in jeopardy. Need to Know: As was mentioned at the time the agreement was reached, that was not the final hurdle. The Hicks Sports Group creditors will have to be satisfied and they probably do not have a very good working relationship with Mr. Hicks or else he would not be selling the team. There will apparently be a meeting tomorrow to discuss the deal, but it will probably be up to Hicks to get it sorted out. Be ready to be patient as it is unlikely to be a quick process. In all the public statements I have heard from Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg, Opening day seems to kind of be the unofficial target for everything to be completed. As upset as the creditors are, they want the sale to happen as much as anyone because without a sale they will continue to be left holding the bag.