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Free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets spent Wednesday night visiting with the Rangers in Arlington, Tex.

JENNIFER FLOYD ENGEL How bad is the economy? Ben Sheets had dinner with the Texas Rangers.And by all accounts, he wasn’t just in it for a chance to play Augusta or to ratchet up his New York price.Sheets has big-time, stud ace potential, and your Rangers have a real chance to sign him and without having to embarrassingly overpay him for that chance. Wednesday’s dinner party featuring the Who’s Who of the Rangers and Sheets and his agent in Dallas is a bona fide reason to be excited about this baseball team. Because no matter how much Rangers types try to downplay this development with talk of 'no contract being offered' and 'lingering health concerns,' they do not bring the check writer in for a dinner unless they are serious.And they are very serious, with sources saying Monday is a possibility for an announcement. Rangers owner Tom Hicks sounded atypically reticent Friday, declining comment beyond 'we love the player and are trying to balance his risk of injury w

Jeff Kent had trouble controlling his emotions when he officially announced his retirement at a standing room only news conference at Dodger Stadium. In attendance were Ned Colletti, Jose Vizciano and Gene Clines, who knew him with the Giants and the Dodgers. Also Don Newcombe, Dodgers minor league players, his agent Jeff Klein, his wife Dana and their four children, trainers and staff.

The Phillies want Moises Alou to switch sides in their rivalry with the Mets. Philadelphia has expressed interest in signing the 42-year-old free agent, according to a source.

By JEFF WILSON ARLINGTON — The Texas Rangers’ pursuit of free-agent pitcher Ben Sheets has become serious enough that owner Tom Hicks is now involved.Hicks, sons Tom Jr. and Alex, and team president Nolan Ryan were among a group of Rangers personnel who dined Wednesday in Dallas with Sheets and agent Casey Close.It was the Rangers’ second face-to-face meeting with Sheets this off-season, and the first since the slower-than-normal free-agent market has taken shape.The Rangers are trying to find a financial middle ground between the risk and reward of signing a player who has been on the disabled list five times in four years but was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star Game last year.It could be a busy weekend for Hicks, Ryan and general manager Jon Daniels, and an agreement could be reached by early next week. The right deal would be no longer than two years and worth no more than $16 million guaranteed, but it could escalate based on perform

Center Bryan Smolinski, who logged his 1,056th career game for Montreal in 2007-08, remains a free agent and the 36-year-old forward continues to wait at home in Birmingham, Mich., for a NHL team to come calling.

1B Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers completed an $18 million, two-year contract on Friday, a deal that avoided salary arbitration. 'It's just as important he doesn't have to worry about arbitration from his standpoint,' general manager Doug Melvin said. 'It can be a distraction every year.' The 24-year-old Fielder receives a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $6.5 million this year and $10.5 million in 2010. Fielder can make a $250,000 performance bonus each year if he has 500 or more plate appearances. He would be eligible for arbitration again in 2011 and could become a free agent after the 2011 season.

Nats keep eye on free-agent market

Free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets met again this week with the Texas Rangers, the team that plays not far from his Dallas home.

Garland's market gaining momentum