- DH Jason Botts recalled from AAA
- P Wes Littleton recalled from AAA
- 3B Travis Metcalf optioned to AAA
- P Scott Feldman optioned to AAA
- IF Desi Relaford cleared waivers, assigned to AAA [ Link ]
Botts is finally here
Bet most people figured that when Botts was here, Sammy was not. That’s not the case. The Rangers made a few moves today, one of which surprised me. The list is:
- Botts called up
- Wes Littleton called up
- Scott Feldman optioned to AAA
- Travis Metcalf optioned to AAA
I thought Metcalf was playing decently. His stick wasn’t the greatest, but then some others here aren’t exactly lighting up the charts, either. Additionally, Desi Relaford cleared waivers (no shock there), and was assigned to AAA.
Looks strange, doesn’t it?
G106: Rangers pitch well, beat Indians 3-1
After the disaster that was the last game in Kansas City, one wonders how many Ranger fans were more looking forward to the trade news of the day than the team actually playing a game and losing. Especially against Cleveland starter Fausto Carmona. Mr. Carmona has been lights out this year, going 13-5 (after this game), and just generally being an awesome young starting pitcher.
McCarthy has been unstable at best, and I don’t think 2007 Rangers fans know what they’re getting each time he goes out there. So it was some surprise to most I’d wager that Brandon pitched as well as he did. His overall line was 6.2 innings pitched, four hits, three walks, and one earned run. The earned run was a solo home run to Ryan Garko in the seventh. Josh Lewin had just made a point that McCarthy hadn’t pitched this far in a game this season so far. Don’t blame him, but McCarthy seemed to be running out of gas in the seventh, and couldn’t seal the deal. Frank Francisco came in and put out that small fire. Heck, CJ Wilson, who got the save tonight was also lights out. 1.2 IP, 0H, 0R, 0BB, 2K. A great night for Rangers pitchers. McCarthy even got into things in the fourth on a wild pitch that he was able to get back to the plate on and tag out the runner trying to score – which at that point preserved his shutout.
Carmona didn’t do too bad himself. He went 7 innings, giving up five hits and one walk. He allowed three runs (two earned on a call that should have been a hit all the way). He probably would have gotten the win most nights with that line, but tonight he was beat by Brandon McCarthy.
Nice to see Saltalamacchia turn up in the dugout during the game. The bit about him and Hank Blalock and their kids’ names tattoos was fun to watch. Salt is probably playing tomorrow’s game. That’ll be worth looking out for.
Bottom line, an extremely well pitched game, on a day when we took inbound several good pitching prospects via trade. Makes you wonder just what the heck in the world we were doing in Kansas City?!?
25 Man Roster Changes Today
A lot of moves on the 25 man roster today, not all of which have come down yet. Here’s my summary of what happened:
Taken off the 25:
1B Mark Teixeira
P Ron Mahay
P Eric Gagne
Put on the 25:
1B/C Jarrod Saltamacchia (according to the Rangers press notes, he’s wearing uniform number 16)
But that leaves two open spots. We’re at 23 by my count, since they haven’t said who else is coming up. If I had to guess, one of them is Jason Gabbard. No idea about the other.
Of course what happens to Adam Melhuse? In what I could hear from the press conference, Daniels said they planed on splitting time at catcher between Salt & Laird. Where’s that leave Melhuse? Unless we’re sending him to the minors, or just DFA’ing him. Don’t know how it will work out at catcher.
Daniels did say that Sosa wasn’t going anywhere.
UPDATE @ 5:45PM: Ron Washington said on the pre-game show that Jason Gabbard will go into our rotation when he arrives tomorrow, although in what position is not known yet. My guess is he doesn’t actually get added to the 25 man roster until tomorrow.
Further moves were posted on the Rangers site a few minutes ago. Here are the further transactions:
- Activated Ian Kinsler from the DL
- Recalled AJ Murray from AAA
- Designated Desi Relaford for assignment.
Tex & Gagne Trades
- 1B Mark Teixeira & P Ron Mahay traded to Atlanta Braves for C/1B Jarrod Saltalamacchia and nonroster SS Elvis Andrus, LHP Matt Harrison, LHP Beau Jones and RHP Neftali Feliz [ Link ]
- P Eric Gagne traded to Boston Red Sox for P Kason Gabbard, OF David Murphy, & OF Engel Beltre [ Link ]
- 2B Ian Kinsler activated from DL
- P AJ Murray recalled from AAA
- IF Desi Relaford designated for assignment [ Link ]
Mark Teixeira: Show me the Money!
As the trade was made official, a story popped up on the Dallas Morning News site that said that before Tex was traded to the Braves, the Rangers offered him a contract extension of eight years, $140 Million. That comes out to $17.5 Million a year. He turned it down.
That makes me think that when he hits free agency after the 2008 season, Scott Boras will start – START with a value of $20 million a year, and won’t take less.
NOW I think this picture is how a lot of fans will see Mark Teixeira, especially given his choice of agent, and the turning down of this kind of money. That’s similar to what Juan Gonzalez turned down with Detroit. Better hope that lightning bolt doesn’t hit again.
Gagne to Sox
The word is out on Eric Gagne going to Boston. Apparently Gagne waived his no trade clause to go there and will be a setup man. Additionally, the $2.5m in performance bonuses were guaranteed by the Red Sox with Texas paying $400,000 of that, Boston the other 2.1 Mil.
The three names coming back are P Kason Gabbard, OF David Murphy, & OF Engle Beltre. Here is a news story on the Rangers site about this.
With Otsuka on the DL, I wonder who is our closer now? Not only that how the 25 man roster will shake out for tonight’s game in Cleveland.
Mark Teixeira Trade Finalized
Well, it’s done. The trade is official. It’s quite the haul – we got more than had been reported. While I can’t say I’m thrilled at losing a player like Teixeira, I have to say that the haul was far more impressive than was expecting.
Leaving the Rangers:
1B Mark Teixeira
RP Ron Mahay
Returning to Rangers:
C/1B Jarrod Saltamacchia
SS Elvis Andrus (18 yr old A ball, compared to Derek Jeter)
P Netfali Feliz
P Matt Harrison
P Beau Jones
The pitchers are all minor leagues, but are all considered to be really good prospects, not throwaways. As I said before in my other comments, I’m not the best at breaking down individual players. I strongly suggest you check out Jamey Newberg’s report from this morning where he breaks down the players that are inbound. Except for Beau Jones, who was just announced as part of the deal.
I have a poll on the main page of my site about this, where you can weigh in on your opinion.
Gagne to Red Sox?
Ken Rosenthal says that Eric Gagne is going to be traded to the Sox. That’s a tad of a eyebrow raiser – the Sox have a great closer. Gagne has to waive his no trade to go there. Would they put Papelbon as a setup guy? I can’t see Gagne waiving unless he’s the full time closer.
Then there’s that talk about Gagne re-signing here again in the offseason. I wonder if that will happen.
UPDATE @ 2:10PM: TR Sullivan has something up about it now here. Also read where the rumoured players coming back total three. They are 17 year-old five-tool outfielder Engel Beltre (Buster Olney report), as well as Kason Gabbard (Ken Rosenthal), as well as possibly David Murphy (also Rosenthal).
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