Byrd, Rangers continue negotiations

Assistant general manager Thad Levine believes the Rangers and outfielder Marlon Byrd will reach an agreement on a contract for 2009 and avoid salary arbitration. Byrd is seeking $3.6 million, and the Rangers have offered $2.7 million. Conversations with Byrd's agent, Sam Levinson, have been steady.

"As long as the lines of communication stay open -- and I see no reason that they will close -- we should be able to get a deal done," Levine said.

-- Jeff Wilson