Gammons Diamond Notes-Rangers

[Chicago JK]

What agents and players are finding out is that things are going to be very different with the Texas Rangers from now on. "John Hart, not the agents, are running the show," said one Ranger official. "Tom Hicks is now on board with everything John wants to do. If anyone thought he could get in between Tom and John, he's mistaken, because things have been addressed and everything is going to be right."
Carl Everett, who, along with Ugie Urbina, is a veteran they wanted to keep for the rest of the season (just not in center field, please), is gone. They would like to move Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro, and insist on top dollar for Urbina. "We've got things shaping up for a pretty good young team," said Buck Showalter. "I told Alex (Rodriguez), 'we're going to get a bunch of guys just like you -- gym rats who care about playing and winning."


They already have the makings of one of the best young infields in the game, with Michael Young, Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira. Ramon Nivar (who was previously known as Ramon Martinez, enabling him to skip through the Rule V draft) has gotten off to a terrific start in center field in Triple-A. Right fielder Laynce Nix is knocking on the door and Showalter's fascinated by Double-A right-hander Jose Dominguez.

We're going to have the right kind of team," said Showalter. "It will take a little time, but we'll get it right."