Book' Em Horns

There is an article in the Austin American Statesman about trouble in Longhorn land. Eight players have been arrested since the 2006 Rose Bowl. Included in that is seven felonies from armed robbery to pointing a gun at a 14 year-old kid. Longhorn fans don't laugh at Zero-U fans because your program looks more troubled at the moment. The paper calls out Mack Brown to do something about his troubled program, but this is the same guy that didn't do anything about his two players arrested before the 2006 Rose Bowl game. I know, I know I am a USC apologist and I don't shy away from that but this is not USC country and so therefore I will talk more about the Big 12.

Big 12 could be Big 14

Rumor out there that Mizzou could be going to the Big 10 (which is the Big 11) and that would leave the Big 12 at eleven teams. Instead of adding one team, the Big 12 would add three teams. Who are these three teams?
TCU
BYU
Utah
Now as a Baylor fan I would be all for this because it waters down the conference. I am not talking about from a football standpoint but in all sports. For those ignorant fans out there, Baylor has finished in the upper echelon of the Big 12 four of the last five years in the All-Sports standings.

Eddie Jones to Mavs

The Mavs signed Eddie Jones to a two-year deal today. Jones played for the Grizzlies and Heat last year and while playing for the Heat he average 10 points and 4 boards. This signing does not get me excited and once again this means that another young player is sent to the curb.

Mavs sign Barea

Mavs have signed back-up PG J.J. Barea to the league minimum for this year which is something I have been waiting for. Barea has great potential to be a Steve Nash type of point guard in this league. In other news, Mavs are competing with the Suns for P.J. Brown. Brown is contemplating retirement which to me does not sound like somebody I would want. Lets keep our young players or get a C-Webb or a Matt Barnes but not a guy going into a retirement home.

Training Camp Talk

I went talk more about the Cows once the preseason games start, but for now I will occasionally talk training camp. WR Terry Glenn will be sidelined for the next two weeks and T.O. is not participating for the 2nd day in a row. First preseason game is next Thursday and that is when Cow Talk will start to heat up.

Daniels gets "A" for Trades

I recently posted a blog about Daniels lack of good trades, but now that seems like ages ago. Around the nation people are praising Daniels for the trades he made at the deadline. Rangers got 5 players in return for Tex and pitcher Ron Mahay. Then yesterday made a deal for the rent-a-player Gagne that brought back 3 players. One of those players is Kason Gabbard who immediately goes into the starting rotation and becomes our 2nd or 3rd best pitcher. He should get the start on Thursday and Salty starts tonight at first base. The Rangers now seem to have a plan and a future, something they have not had in a long time.

Tex to learn Tomahawk Chop

Tex and Left-handed relief pitcher, Ron Mahay, were traded today to the Braves for C/1B Salty, SS Elvis Andrus, RHP Feliz, and a player to be named later. The other player could be LHP Matt Harrison who has been named on this blog, but the hold up is his shoulder. He recently was sent down over a shoulder strain. According to Baseball America, Salty is the Braves' #1 prospect, Elvis is #2, Harrison #3, and Feliz #18. On the surface level this looks like a good trade for Daniels. In a previous blog I documented Daniels' trades in the past and they were not good. This trade looks very promising and what remains to be seen is how this will affect catcher Gerald Laird. One source from ESPN.com says that Salty is immediately a top 10 catcher in the AL, but for now he should play 1B.

Welcome Back Cruz

Nelson Cruz when he went down to AAA had these stats for the Rangers: .188AVG, 3HR, 12RBI. He goes down there and knocks the cover off the ball and comes back with a new batting stance and confidence. It showed in his first game back when he hit 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. This is the Nelson Cruz that we thought we were getting at the trade deadline last year and it's good to see him back. This is the biggest part of the Lofton trade because it gave us a roster spot for Cruz. The Rangers want to trade Sosa for the same reasons this time being Botts would come up from AAA.

Last note: Gagne might be traded after all to either the Yankees, Red Sox or the Mets.