Ken Rosenthal, of FOXSports.com, reports Texas Rangers C Gerald Laird is the favorite to be traded in the offseason.

Jon Heyman, of SI.com, reports the Kansas City Royals have fielded interest in several of the Texas Rangers catchers. The group includes Cs Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Max Ramirez and Taylor Teagarden.

Jon Heyman, of SI.com, reports the Cincinnati Reds have fielded interest in several of the Texas Rangers catchers. The group includes Cs Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Max Ramirez and Taylor Teagarden.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia said Saturday that being traded to Boston "would be a dream come true." "I'd love to go there and either work under Jason (Varitek) for a year or two or just go there and catch full-time," said Salty. The Rangers will likely move one or two of their catchers this offseason, but it doesn't appear that talks with Boston have heated up yet. Saltalamacchia, 23, hit .253 with three homers and 26 RBI over 61 games in '08.Source: Boston Herald Related: Red Sox

Jarrod Saltalamacchia says he would love to play for the Red Sox, according to the Boston Herald.The Red Sox were reported to be intrigued by Saltalamacchia, and could be an option for Boston if they don't re-sign Jason Varitek.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia said Saturday that being traded to Boston "would be a dream come true." "I'd love to go there and either work under Jason (Varitek) for a year or two or just go there and catch full-time," said Salty. The Rangers are trying to move one or two of their catchers this offseason, but have not yet discussed a possible trade with the Red Sox. Saltalamacchia, 23, hit .253 with three homers and 26 RBI over 61 games in '08.Source: Boston Herald Related: Red Sox

Epstein has remained in contact with Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, but the two parties appear to be worlds apart on contract negotiations. Boras is seeking a deal similar to the four-year $52.4 million deal Jorge Posada signed last winter, the Globe reported.

Nick Cafardo, of The Boston Globe, reports the Texas Rangers are unlikely to trade C Taylor Teagarden in the offseason.

Taylor Teagarden had two more hits on Sunday and he is batting .366 in 41 AB since being called up to the Rangers.Besides the average, Teagarden has also hit six bombs while knocking in 17 runs, so the question is, why isn't he playing on a daily basis since it's not as if Gerald Laird has been tearing it up with a .252 average and just two home runs over his his last 39 games?

The Dallas Morning News predicts catcher Max Ramirez will be an opening day starter for 2009, but not with the Rangers.The Marlins are among the clubs who have talked to the Rangers about acquiring Ramirez, who could develop into one of the top offensive catchers in the majors. In the event the Rangers trade both Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Ramirez would share catching duties with Taylor Teagarden, while getting some action at DH for Texas.

The Miami Herald reports that "the Marlins have spoken to the Texas Rangers about catcher Max Ramirez." Texas has plenty of catching depth and is said to be interested in Scott Olsen. Ramirez has tons of potential offensively, but may not be able to stick behind the plate long term.Source: Miami Herald Related: Scott Olsen, Marlins

The Marlins have talked to the Rangers about acquiring catcher Max Ramirez, according to the Miami Herald.The Rangers have a surplus of talented catchers and are looking for young pitching, something the Marlins are able and willing to offer. The Marlins are believed to be interested in dealing Scott Olsen, so he could be part of a deal for Ramirez.

The Texas Rangers are interested in acquiring the services of closer Kerry Wood, but they would have to deal Hank Blalock in order to make that happen financially, according to Peter Gammons of ESPN.com.Wood is from Texas, and he is said to have idolized Rangers team president Nolan Ryan growing up, so there is a possible fit there, if the team is willing to deal the oft-injured Blalock.

Blalock will return as the team's designated hitter, according to manager Ron Washington. The hope is that staying off the field will help Blalock remain healthy all season. "I talked to Hank, and he was in a great mood," Washington said. "He took the news well and was very pleased. All Hank wants to do is help the team, be healthy, play a whole year, swing the bat and prove what he can do." The return of Blalock likely marks an end to Milton Bradley's tenure with the club.

Updating previous reports, Texas Rangers 1B Hank Blalock is expected to serve as the regular designated hitter next season, because the team is not expected to bring back DH Milton Bradley, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. However, Blalock could see an occasional start at first base. The team is expected to pursue a regular third baseman through free agency.

Texas Rangers IF Chris Davis is expected to serve as the team's regular first baseman next season, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant writes the Texas Rangers will likely pick up their $6.2 million option on IF Hank Blalock for the 2009 season. However, it is uncertain where Blalock would play, as he could be used as the DH, first baseman or third baseman. An additional option would be to trade him away to a contender, perhaps in return for young pitching, as the team could use 1B Chris Davis at first base and 3B Travis Metcalf at third base.

Texas Rangers 3B Chris Davis leads all rookies with 56 RBIs and 42 extra-base hits since his promotion from Triple-A Oklahoma Thursday, June 26, according to The Associated Press. He entered play Sunday, Sept. 28 batting .288 in 79 games with 16 home runs.

Frank Catalanotto returned to action on Monday September 22.

Frank Catalanotto was unavailable Wednesday because of a sore groin. The Rangers are in a stretch of six straight games against left-handed starters, so Catalanotto was due for a spot on the bench anyway.Source: Dallas Morning News

He started in left field and was slotted into the leadoff spot for just the third time in 61 starts. He's 4-for-11 (.364) with four runs, two doubles and a homer out of the leadoff spot this year and he hit .300 in 39 games at the leadoff spot with the Rangers last season. His playing time has been erratic, but he could be worth a look in AL-only formats.

CBSSports.com reports the Texas Rangers activated 2B Ian Kinsler (hernia) from the 60-day disabled list Sunday, Nov. 16.

Both players are expected to be back in time for Spring Training, though only Kinsler is guaranteed a roster spot.

According to the Dallas Morning News, MLB has indicated to clubs that it will not be able to insure the contracts of players who ended last season on the disabled list for the World Baseball Classic. If that's the case, it could take players like Ian Kinsler, Carlos Lee and Brandon Phillips out of the mix for the tournament in March.Source: Dallas Morning News Related: Carlos Lee, Brandon Phillips

Playing in his fourth game for Hermosillo of the MPL, German Duran went 3-for-5 with a homer and a double Sunday. Duran used up his rookie eligibility while hitting .231/.275/.350 in 137 at-bats for the Rangers last season, but he failed to really establish himself. Odds are that he'll head back to Triple-A to begin 2009.

USAToday.com reports the Texas Rangers recalled IF German Duran from Triple-A Oklahoma.

News: The Texas Rangers recalled catcher Taylor Teagarden and infielder German Duran on Monday, the first day of roster expansion.

Analysis: This is Duran's second stint with the Rangers this season. Duran batted .225 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 43 games with Texas before being optioned to Oklahoma on July 20. Duran is nothing more than an AL-only Fantasy reserve

News: Texas SS Joaquin Arias had a nice night at the dish on Saturday against the Angels. Arias went 3-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. He also scored a run for Texas. He's hitting .291.

Analysis: Arias has had a nice ending to 2008 but it doesn't figure to carry over into 2009 at this point. He's mostly going to be a decent low-end Rotisserie option and not an everyday starter for the Rangers

Arias extended his hitting streak to six games, the longest of his brief career. After batting .296 at Triple-A Oklahoma this season, the young second baseman is hitting .283 with 13 runs and four steals in 91 at-bats since his callup.

News: Texas Rangers All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler will have season-ending surgery to repair a sports hernia. A first-time All-Star this year, Kinsler hit .319 with 18 homers, 71 RBI, 41 doubles and 26 steals in 121 games. Joaquin Arias has been starting in his place of late.

Analysis: Arias is possibly as suitable a replacement option as there is off the waiver wire in most leagues at this juncture of the season. Arias is leading off for the Rangers and hits for decent average without any of the power

Texas Rangers IF Chris Davis is expected to serve as the team's regular first baseman next season, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

The Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant writes the Texas Rangers will likely pick up their $6.2 million option on IF Hank Blalock for the 2009 season. However, it is uncertain where Blalock would play, as he could be used as the DH, first baseman or third baseman. An additional option would be to trade him away to a contender, perhaps in return for young pitching, as the team could use 1B Chris Davis at first base and 3B Travis Metcalf at third base.

Texas Rangers 3B Chris Davis leads all rookies with 56 RBIs and 42 extra-base hits since his promotion from Triple-A Oklahoma Thursday, June 26, according to The Associated Press. He entered play Sunday, Sept. 28 batting .288 in 79 games with 16 home runs.