Quick Hits: News on Former O's and Other Prattle...

Well, if you have been under a rock, just to update you all, Sosa and the Rangers finalized a minor league contract Tuesday. If added to the major league roster, he would get a $500,000, one-year deal with the chance to earn $2.1 million more in performance bonuses.

Also not to go into ancient history, but Sammy Sosa struggled mightly in Baltimore as he only hit 221 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs and was sent on his way after being on the disabled list and a team cancer. It’s unknown whether he did steroids or used performance enhancing drugs, but 2007 will be crucial test to see if he still has some skills to play baseball or not.

Another old friend, Bruce, the Comedian: According to CNNsi.com, the Rangers are interested in signing LHP Bruce Chen to a minor league deal. Chen, who pitched well in Puerto Rico this winter, is weighing similar offers. As well, the Twins were rumored in signing him as well.

And um, Another - Good ol' Sir Sidney: According the Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune:

"Free-agent pitcher Sidney Ponson pulled out of TwinsFest one day before it started because he needed to take care of some unexpected business.

That left Twins General Manager Terry Ryan a little disappointed, but he said Ponson had a good reason to stay home.

Ryan wanted Ponson, who has struggled the past three seasons, in town for several reasons. He wanted to see what shape he was in. He wanted Ponson to meet his teammates. And he wanted Ponson to see how excited the fan base is.

The Twins hope Ponson thrives off the atmosphere in town and the camaraderie among teammates enough that it brings out the talented sinkerballer who went 17-12 in 2003."

Also not to go into ancient history, but Sammy Sosa struggled mightly in Baltimore as he only hit 221 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs and was sent on his way after being on the disabled list and a team cancer. It’s unknown whether he did steroids or used performance enhancing drugs, but 2007 will be crucial test to see if he still has some skills to play baseball or not.

Buster Olney quips, “This will raise questions, going into spring training, about what kind of condition Ponson is in”.

It may or may not be a big deal, but let’s hope it’s not.

I’m one of few Orioles fans who hope the man works out his issues and shows the promise he had with the team way back when. He’s still young enough to turn the tide, but hope he’s got the will power, discipline and guidance to get himself together.

Barbaro: Barbaro was put to sleep Monday after complications from his awful injury at the 2006 Preakness. Doctors tried in vain to keep him alive and get him into health, but the ordeal was too much for the horse to bear.

In the end, I can understand why it was done.

Even though people will say "it's just a horse", if you're a pet owner of any kind, losing your pet would be like losing one of your children and the trauma is indeed very real.