Book release party: Autograph guests.

12/11/10 9 . . . 8 . . . 7 . . . ? No news yet on Cliff Lee, or even credible speculation, but the relative silence and absence of volleys delivered through the media today has created this eerie, if groundless, sense that closure could be close. Hope so, at least. I'm sort of at the point at which it feels more important to me for New York not to get Lee than for the Rangers to land him. But I still want him here. Anyway, I can now tell you this: Our guest list may not be complete, but joining us Thursday night at the Newberg Report Book Release Party at Sherlock's Baker Street Pub & Grill in Arlington (254 Lincoln Square, a few blocks west of Rangers Ballpark) will be Derek Holland, Tanner Scheppers, and Matt Thompson. Derek is flying in from out of state just for the event, as is Tanner (the Rangers' number two prospect by my rankings), while Matt (number 15 on my list, up from number 44 a year ago), the Burleson native and Arlington high school product, will be making his first Rangers-related autograph appearance, coming off a Class A season in which he struck out 130 and issued only 22 unintentional walks in 129.1 innings for Hickory. The Rangers will be on hand selling the 2010 season DVD "It's Time: The Incredible Season of the 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers," which will be released to the public on Tuesday. That and a Bound Edition – primo holiday gift. The party goes from 6:00-9:00 p.m. and ESPN 103.3 FM will be broadcasting live. As always, admission to the December 16 party is free – but the "cost" for getting autographs from our guests is the purchase of a 2011 Bound Edition, which you can pay for now (choose the option on the right side if you want to preorder for party pickup) or buy at the party itself. (The guys will sign your baseballs, bats, cards, etc., too -- but you have to have the book to get autographs.) Limit two autographs per player. Stay tuned for news on any additions to the party roster – or the big league roster.