Texas Rangers

JD: No time frame on more deals

Jon Daniels said the team is still looking for middle infield help, catching help, a left-hander in the bullpen and maybe a right-handed bat. But on a conference call to discuss the Rich Harden signing, Daniels didn't want to talk about a possible Mike Lowell trade. He said both the Rangers and Boston are still looking at other options.

Daniels said the trades for Ben Snyder and Clay Rapada could answer the needs for a left-hander, but also said the team has talked about former Ranger Darren Oliver.

- Anthony Andro

Rich Harden deal official

There will be a press conference with Harden Friday morning at 10 a.m. at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. It's a one-year deal with a mutual option for 2011 that includes a $1 million buyout.

Harden, 28, went 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA (64 ER/141.0 IP) in 26 games/starts for the Chicago Cubs in 2009.

- Anthony Andro

Rich Harden good to go

Right-hander Rich Harden is no longer a free agent, having passed a physical this afternoon to complete a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $7.5 million.

Harden will make $6.5 million in 2010 with the possibility of making $2.5 million in bonuses. The deal includes a mutual option worth $11 million with a $1 million buyout.

A funny thing has happened on the way to the Ballpark

American Airlines flight 835 was loaded and ready to take off from Indianapolis at 1:50 p.m. to DFW Airport. Passengers on the flight included Rangers general manager Jon Daniels; assistant GM Thad Levine; baseball ops guys A.J. Preller, Josh Boyd and Jake Krug; and PR man Rich Rice. Even Angels GM Tony Reagins was on the flight.

Then, a nice-enough lady walked on the flight and told everyone that it was canceled because of a mechanical snafu. Thus, American Airlines also have might canceled a news conference tonight at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to announce the signing of right-hander Rich Harden.

Nothing is official with Harden. As Daniels stood in line trying to get his flight changed and bags rechecked, he said the results of Harden's physical still weren't in. So, if something is to come up, that would cancel the press conference. But Harden is in Arlington, and Daniels won't get there until after 9 p.m. unless he gets on another airline.

The earliest a news conference is likely to happen is Friday morning, assuming Harden is healthy and assuming American comes through with flying colors. Well, flying isn't the right word at the moment.

-- Jeff Wilson

Rangers could be out on Marlon Byrd

General manager Jon Daniels said earlier today that the Rangers are likely out of the running for outfielder Marlon Byrd. The Rangers learned from Byrd's representatives this week that the terms he's seeking are beyond the Rangers' financial means, even after the trade of Kevin Millwood and $9 million of his $12 million salary. Daniels said he has not yet eliminated Byrd, but the chances of re-signing the free agent are remote.

-- Jeff Wilson

Rich Harden, Mike Lowell updates

Here's the latest on two pending deals the Rangers have attempted to close:

Rich Harden is in Arlington awaiting an MRI as part of a physical that is the final hurdle to him agreeing to a one-year $6.5 million deal with an $11 million mutual option for 2011 with a $1 million buyout. A news conference could be held this evening at Rangers Ballpark.

The rumored trade for Mike Lowell isn't as far along as the reports indicate, said general manager Jon Daniels. There is a financial component in which Boston would have to take on a considerable amount of the $12 million on Lowell's 2010 contract. The trade, which would include Max Ramirez, has not reached the point where medical records need to be exchanged.

-- Jeff Wilson

Trade finalized

Baltimore did indeed ship lefty Ben Snyder, the third overall pick in the Rule 5 draft, to the Rangers to complete the Kevin Millwood trade.

Rule 5 update

The Rangers passed on its pick in the major league portion of the draft, so it seems more likely that Ben Snyder will be sent from Baltimore to complete Wednesday's trade.

No Rangers player was taken during the big league portion.

Rangers and the Rule 5 draft

Baltimore selected left-hander Ben Snyder, from the San Francisco organization, with the third overall pick in he Rule 5 draft, a pick the Rangers can have if they want it to complete the Kevin Millwood-Chris Ray trade.

The Rangers' pick is coming up. So far, no Rangers player has been selected.

Update on Rich Harden terms

A source has said that the deal Rich Harden has agreed to and will sign after he passes a physical Thursday in Arlington offers $2.5 million in incentives in 2010, not $3.5 million. It's a one-year deal worth $6.5 million, with the chance to grown to $9 million, and there is a mutual option for 2011 at $11 million with a $1 million buyout.

-- Jeff Wilson