Smoak & Ross updates.

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Rangers are close to signing high school lefthander Robbie Ross, the club's second-round pick in June.  All indications were that Texas would have to go meaningfully above slot to prevent Ross from honoring his commitment to the University of Kentucky.

Sullivan adds that the Rangers are "not yet close" on a deal with first-rounder Justin Smoak, the switch-hitting first baseman from the University of South Carolina, who will not only take an above-slot bonus to sign but possibly a major league deal (like Texas gave to Julio Borbon last summer). 

Talks reportedly continue with Smoak's advisor, Dustin Bledsoe, who also happens to advise Ross, but Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News suggests that the Rangers are not as optimistic about signing Smoak as they are with Ross. 

For what it's worth, South Carolina coach Ray Tanner told the Greenville News that he expects Smoak to sign before tomorrow night's 11 p.m. Central deadline.