A Texas-sized blockbuster Rangers pull an ace out of their sleeve at the trade deadline
July 31, 2011
TORONTO - If you just glanced at the headline in the newspaper, you'd immediately do a double take.
"Oswalt and Lee to Texas"
Well...sort of.
The Rangers staged a coup on baseball Sunday afternoon, plucking a disgruntled Roy Oswalt out of Philadelphia and bringing him back to the state he called home for over 10 years, while sending Manny Ramirez, Colby Lewis and Mark Lowe to the Phillies in return.
The Lee the Rangers acquired? Not Cliff Lee, but in fact El Caballo, Carlos Lee of the Houston Astros (and for a brief time in 2006, a member of the Rangers). The upgrade to the Rangers' power in their lineup came at the expense of Carlton Stoddard, one of Texas's more promising outfield prospects. Ron Washington said he doesn't plan to use Lee in the outfield very often; he will DH him most of the time, with the occasional start at first base.
The deal for Oswalt was actually almost two months in the making. After a dazzling performance for the Phillies after last year's deadline, there were big expectations for Oswalt in 2011. But he stumbled badly out of the gate, starting out 4-7 with an ERA hovering near 5.00. He has since recovered to post an 8-9 record with a much better ERA of 3.70, but he initiated trade talks with Philadelphia's management several weeks ago, saying he simply didn't feel comfortable in Philadelphia. After weeks of negotiating, the Phillies and Rangers finally came to terms, and Oswalt waived his no-trade clause, agreeing to return to the Lone Star State, where he joins a stellar pitching staff poised to carry the Rangers back to the World Series. Oswalt's next scheduled start for Philly was tomorrow, so his Rangers debut will happen right away.
Of note now, there is some uncertainty at the back of Texas's rotation. Oswalt, Brandon Webb, CJ Wilson and Alexi Ogando are set in stone, obviously, but the fifth slot is now open. The Rangers would really prefer a lefty (they pressed very hard to try and acquire John Danks from the White Sox), which makes Matt Harrison an intriguing option. Another interesting one, though not a southpaw, is Ervin Santana, who is still a free agent after the Rangers cut him earlier in July to free up payroll. If the price is right, they may decide to bring him back into the fold.
Rangers sign Santana Rotation fills out as former Angels hurler returns to Texas
August 5, 2011
ARLINGTON - It's been a very bizarre year for Ervin Santana.
First, he is inexplicably traded by the Los Angeles Angels to Tampa Bay. Then, after barely having enough time to unpack his bags in Tampa, he's shipped off again, this time to Texas, where after eight days, he is released outright as the Rangers shuffle around their payroll.
Now, after almost a month of sitting around waiting for his phone to ring, Santana is off the free agent market, as the Rangers signed him for the remainder of the season at 3.6 million dollars.
The 28-year old righty is 6-4 this year with a 4.04 ERA, and rounds out a now-elite Rangers rotation. Santana will start tonight against the Cleveland Indians as the Rangers return home.
08-09-2011, 10:46 AM
