Though the winter meetings began in the aftermath of the newly minted collective bargaining agreement, the events in Maryland last week played out more or less as usual. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steel...-Greene-Jersey/ . There were a few trades. Some headline-making free-agent signings. A Rule V draft that has most of us reaching for the nearest prospect guide. Still, even though the new CBA doesnt take effect until next year -- and thus had no direct effect on the meetings -- its presence was felt in discussions of something that didnt happen.That thing -- a potential trade of Bryce Harper away from the Washington Nationals?-- could certainly happen someday, but its not likely to be any time soon. Still, the reports that emerged during the meetings about Harpers reported desire for a $400 million contract and Washingtons reported desire to not dole out said contract set the stage for what promises to be a multiyear drama. And how that drama is resolved, eventually, may be the first real evidence we get about whether the new CBA will have a significant effect on how much teams are willing to commit to any one player -- even a generational talent in his prime like Harper.Since the labor calamities of 1994, the owners have shifted their negotiating strategy away from an overt push for a salary cap to a more incremental approach. By implementing and gradually expanding the reach of the luxury tax, theyve made the punitive costs of excess spending increasingly severe and more likely to apply to even those teams that dont play at Yankee Stadium. Those costs have moved beyond financial and into the realm of amateur player acquisition in the form of draft position and limits on international spending. As a result, while there still is no salary cap in baseball, with this new agreement, there might as well be. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steel...tautner-Jersey/ .S. -- Nikolaj Ehlers registered a hat trick for the third straight game and Jonathan Drouin had a goal and five assists as the Halifax Mooseheads hammered the host Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 10-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Hoodie/ . Louis Blues absence from top spot in the TSN. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steel...Gilliam-Jersey/ . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. ARLINGTON, Texas -- Monday night began with a 2016 American League West Division championship banner being unfurled from the office complex beyond center field at Globe Life Park. But the Texas Rangers took a step back in pursuing their next goal -- earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.Jonathan Villar homered twice and had a career-high five RBI and Matt Garza beat his former team as the Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Rangers 8-3.The loss dropped Texas one-half game behind the Boston Red Sox in the race for the leagues best record. The Cleveland Indians pulled within one-half game of the Rangers.Youre playing pretty much teams that are not in the race, and they have nothing to lose, said Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus, who had three hits along with left fielder Carlos Gomez. Its two different mentalities, but youve got to go out there and try to win games.Rangers starter Martin Perez (10-11) was looking to set a career high for wins in a season. He gave up a season-high eight earned runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. His home record this season fell to 8-3.I threw strikes; thats why they hit the ball, Perez said. If I give up runs like that, with homers or hard base hits, I dont care. I just want to stay there and throw strikes.The number on the scoreboard, it is what it is, manager Jeff Banister said, but I didnt feel like that told the story. I feel like there were some pitches Martin threw well. It seemed like when he needed to get an out, he couldnt get the out.Garza (6-8) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. He spent the second half of the 2013 season with Texas as a rental acquisition from the Chicago Cubs, going 4-5 with a 4.38 ERA. It was Garzas first appearance against Texas since 2010.I take it as this is our playoff right here, said Garza, who won Game 3 of the Division Series for the Tampa Bay Rays against Texas at Globe Life Park. Theyre a good team, and you want to go out and perform.JEFFRESS RETURNSJeremy Jeffress, acquired by Texas from Milwaukee along with Jonathan Lucroy on Aug. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steel...-Conner-Jersey/. 1, made his first appearance since being reinstated Friday from the restricted list. He was arrested on a drunken driving charge in Dallas on Aug. 26 and was sent to an inpatient rehab clinic. Jeffress retired all four batters he faced.Getting this one out of the way is going to be pretty good for the next one, Jeffress said. I just took everything in. It made me feel good inside.CHANGE OF PITCHING PLANSBanister moved Cole Hamels final regular-season start up from Friday against Tampa Bay to Wednesdays series finale vs. Milwaukee. He said the change was made to allow Colby Lewis and Perez to start the last two games against the Rays.SHORT HOPSLucroy, who played 6 1/2 seasons for Milwaukee, faced his previous team for the first time. He went 1 for 4. . Perez added to his major league-leading total of groundball double plays induced with his 36th of the season in the sixth inning. . The Brewers scored in every inning in which their leadoff batter reached and failed to score in innings in which the leadoff man was retired.TRAINERS ROOMBrewers: RHP Taylor Jungmann wont pitch again this season after suffering a hip abductor during his start last Saturday night, which was his first in the majors since April.Rangers: OF Shin-Soo Choo (left forearm fracture) had three hits and two walks batting in all seven innings of an Instructional League game on Monday. Banister said he hopes to get RHP Tony Barnette (strained oblique), who last pitched on Sept. 4, into Tuesday nights game.UP NEXTBrewers RHP Jimmy Nelson (8-15) leads the NL in losses after getting off to a 3-1 start. Rangers RHP A.J. Griffin (7-4) lasted only 1 2/3 innings last Tuesday in Anaheim, allowing three hits and four walks. 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