"The Rangers are calling many clubs and inquiring about starting pitching. That includes Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee, according to industry sources. There is nothing imminent on any front and the club has not confirmed its interest in Lee, or any other player. The Rangers still have financial issues that must be considered in any trade discussions. But the Rangers are actively making it known they are looking for pitching and they haven't been afraid of asking about some of the big names available including Lee and Astros ace Roy Oswalt. Both pitchers could be available at some point this summer but have not been actively shopped to this point. The Rangers pursued Lee vigorously last year at the Trade Deadline before the Indians dealt him to the Phillies. Assistant general manager Thad Levine, who is with the team in Florida, declined to discuss specific names but did acknowledge the Rangers' pursuit of pitching. "We've had some preliminary discussions with clubs," Levine said. "But to compel teams to move this far ahead of the [July 31st] Trade Deadline, it would take a very attractive package," Levine said. 'We're still in the inventory stage and the information-gathering stage rather than the execution phase." The Rangers cannot take on significant payroll in any trade. But they can get other teams to pick up a high-priced player's salary if they add extra prospects to the package. The question is if the ownership situation will be resolved by the Trade Deadline. If the Ryan-Greenberg group takes over before then, the Rangers will have financial flexibility to add payroll in any trade without giving up additional prospects. The Rangers are trying to keep their rotation together, but it has been difficult. Derek Holland (rotator cuff inflammation) and Rich Harden (strained gluteus muscle) are on the disabled list, and Tommy Hunter had to come out of Wednesday's start after 2 1/3 innings because of a strained right hip flexor muscle. Hunter said the muscle was better on Thursday and will test it off the mound in a bullpen session on Friday in Houston. The Rangers will know after that session if he can start Tuesday against the Pirates. " http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp...news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex&partnerId=rss_tex
