Luvofthegame
09-02-2006, 09:25 PM
By KAT O'BRIEN
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have 10 players who will be free agents this off-season, barring any contract extensions in the near future.
Center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., a first-time All-Star, might have added the most to his free-agent value this season. Yet he says he is not focused on the future.
"I'm more concerned about my daily routine than worrying about the what-ifs," Matthews said. "We're trying to win games here."
Matthews admits the future has crossed his mind. But it's on the back-burner for now, he insists, adding that he hasn't even discussed it with his dad or his brother Delvon, who is his closest friend.
Aside from 2004, when Matthews was released by the Atlanta Braves at the end of spring training and signed a minor league contract with the Rangers a few days later, he has never been a free agent. This will be his first opportunity to select where he wants to be, and he said it would be "the best of both worlds" to play for a contender in a city he likes.
The Rangers will be high on any list he makes.
"Of course, I have interest in staying here. I'd love to be here," Matthews said. "I'm happy here, so hopefully they get something worked out."
Re-signing Matthews is a priority for the Rangers. He entered Friday batting .306 with 66 RBI and 78 runs scored
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
ARLINGTON -- The Rangers have 10 players who will be free agents this off-season, barring any contract extensions in the near future.
Center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., a first-time All-Star, might have added the most to his free-agent value this season. Yet he says he is not focused on the future.
"I'm more concerned about my daily routine than worrying about the what-ifs," Matthews said. "We're trying to win games here."
Matthews admits the future has crossed his mind. But it's on the back-burner for now, he insists, adding that he hasn't even discussed it with his dad or his brother Delvon, who is his closest friend.
Aside from 2004, when Matthews was released by the Atlanta Braves at the end of spring training and signed a minor league contract with the Rangers a few days later, he has never been a free agent. This will be his first opportunity to select where he wants to be, and he said it would be "the best of both worlds" to play for a contender in a city he likes.
The Rangers will be high on any list he makes.
"Of course, I have interest in staying here. I'd love to be here," Matthews said. "I'm happy here, so hopefully they get something worked out."
Re-signing Matthews is a priority for the Rangers. He entered Friday batting .306 with 66 RBI and 78 runs scored