Rangers, Hamilton Talking Extension

The agent for impending free agent CF Josh Hamilton met with Texas officials earlier this week.  It was reported that both GM Jon Daniels and co-owner Bob Simpson were present at the meeting.  The team had wanted to begin extension talks with Hamilton in the off-season but those talks were stalled after he suffered a sobriety relapse in February.

This is a prime time for extensions in the Dallas Metroplex, as both 2B Ian Kinsler and LHP Derek Holland have agreed to new contracts with Texas. 

Rangers, Kinsler fail to Reach Extension

Texas has failed to reach a contract extension with 2B Ian Kinsler by his Opening Day deadline after they squabbled over money regarding the potential six-year deal.  He will make $7 million this season and has a $10 million option for 2013, although the Rangers had hoped to sign him before Yankees 2B Robinson Cano gets an extension of his own and inflates the second base market.  Kinsler batted .255 with 32 homers, 77 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases, and a .355 on-base percentage last season.

Kinsler Expecting Extension

Texas and 2B Ian Kinsler are close to agreeing to terms on a six-year contract extension for the team's star second baseman.  He has said that he will cease negotiations during the regular season, which starts today for Texas, so an announcement could be imminent or could stall for the next six months (assuming he's a man of his word and won't negotiate after this morning).  Kinsler is due $7 million this season and has a $10 million option for 2013, but reports say that Texas wants to give him an extension before Yankees 2B Robinson Cano inflates the second base market with an extension of his own.

Kinsler batted .255 with 32 homers, 77 runs batted in, 30 stolen bases, and a .355 on-base percentage last season.