DETROIT TIGER FANS!
For full access to all our areas, please register (free), there are areas that do not show up until you register and log-in.
DETROIT TIGER FANS!
For full access to all our areas, please register (free), there are areas that do not show up until you register and log-in.
DETROIT TIGER FANS!
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

DETROIT TIGER FANS!

A place for Detroit Tiger Fans to come together for a bit of fun
 
HomeHome  SearchSearch  Latest imagesLatest images  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  
Please log in and join in the fun of game day threads (GDT) and in overall Tigers chat.
CONGRATS TO CABRERA AND HUNTER on winning 2013 Silver Slugger Awards!
DETROIT TIGERS - 2011, 2012 & 2013 AL CENTRAL DIVISION CHAMPS!

 

 Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners

Go down 
AuthorMessage
bobrob2004
DTF1 MODERATOR
Detroit Tiger

DTF1 MODERATOR Detroit Tiger
bobrob2004


Male
Number of posts : 10646
Age : 38
Location : Warren, MI
Reputation : 12
Registration date : 2007-10-05

Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners Empty
PostSubject: Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners   Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners Icon_minipostedThu Dec 13, 2007 10:45 am

Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners

By EVAN GRANT / The Dallas Morning News
egrant@dallasnews.com

On the hockey plus/minus scale used by one of Tom Hicks' other teams, Wednesday might go down as a "zero" for the Rangers.

They added the first baseman they most desired since the end of the season, but very possibly lost reliever Akinori Otsuka for good. In the waning moments before arbitration-eligible players had to be tendered qualifying contracts or granted free agency, the Rangers dealt minor league infielder Tug Hulett to Seattle for first baseman Ben Broussard.

Minutes later, the club announced it had decided against tendering a contract to Otsuka, who is free to negotiate with all clubs. General manager Jon Daniels acknowledged he was "not optimistic" about having Otsuka on the roster for 2008. Otsuka did not pitch after July 1 because of elbow problems.

"We just weren't comfortable not having seen him on the mound for several months," Daniels said. "We talked about a shared risk deal, but the financial information we got just didn't make much sense. All the reports [about Otsuka's health] have been positive, but the bottom line is he hasn't thrown for a number of months, and there was real concern."

Otsuka, who performed admirably as the closer in 2006, is the third reliever lost by the Rangers in the last three days. Eric Gagne signed with Milwaukee earlier in the week, and LaTroy Hawkins agreed with the New York Yankees. The turn of events likely leaves C.J. Wilson as the closer. The only free agent still on the market with significant closing experience is Eddie Guardado.

It's also unlikely that right-hander Kazuo Fukumori, who was in Arlington on Wednesday to receive a physical exam, would take over as closer. Fukumori, 31, is expected to receive a two-year contract, perhaps as early as Friday, but his role in Japan for most of the last decade was as a setup man.

The news about the bullpen certainly didn't jive with Daniels' desire to add multiple veteran arms to the relief corps this winter, but he did seem to solve his first base dilemma by acquiring the guy they had coveted.

With Seattle facing an 11 p.m. (CST) deadline to either tender Broussard a qualifying contract or trade him, the Mariners decided to get something for him rather than make him a free agent by not offering a contract.

Broussard, 31, is a Beaumont, Texas native who appeared in 99 games for Seattle last year. He hit .275 with nine homers, 29 RBIs and had a .734 OPS.

Broussard, a left-handed hitter, is expected to become the Rangers' primary first baseman. Chris Shelton, acquired from Detroit last week, will likely play primarily against left-handed pitching. Broussard has a career .227 on-base percentage vs. lefties; it is .336 vs. right-handers.
Ben Broussard played the last 1½ seasons with Seattle.
AP
Ben Broussard played the last 1½ seasons with Seattle.

To make room for Broussard on the roster, the Rangers designated outfielder Nick Gorneault for assignment. Gorneault, 27, had been acquired on a waiver claim from the Los Angeles Angels last month.

The decision to make Otsuka a free agent also freed up a roster spot, which will go to outfielder Milton Bradley, who passed a physical to finalize his one-year contract. Bradley will receive $5 million in guaranteed money.

Doctors assured the Rangers that Bradley's torn knee ligaments were healing fine. The Rangers hope to have him in some capacity in April

"He may start out at DH and play some other outfield positions, but I think you'll also see him play center field, too," Daniels said.
Back to top Go down
bobrob2004
DTF1 MODERATOR
Detroit Tiger

DTF1 MODERATOR Detroit Tiger
bobrob2004


Male
Number of posts : 10646
Age : 38
Location : Warren, MI
Reputation : 12
Registration date : 2007-10-05

Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners Empty
PostSubject: Re: Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners   Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners Icon_minipostedThu Dec 13, 2007 10:46 am

Looks like they won't be signing Sean Casey...
Back to top Go down
 
Texas Rangers acquire 1B Broussard from Mariners
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
DETROIT TIGER FANS! :: MLB TEAMS :: Texas Rangers-
Jump to: