Rangers Get Stairs, Kip Wells

[Melmart1]

Stairs is for a minor leaguer, but not sure what we gave up for Kip Wells... if he can stay healthy though, this is great for the Rangers.

[Beer is Good]

The Rangers have acquired pitcher Kip Wells from the Pittsburgh Pirates for Minor League pitcher Jesse Chavez.
Wells was 1-5 with a 6.69 ERA in seven starts for the Pirates. He is 1-1 with a 1.83 ERA in his last three starts. Wells missed the first 2 1/2 months of the season with a blood clot in his right armpit.

The Rangers have also acquired first baseman/designated hitter Matt Stairs from the Kansas City Royals for Minor League pitcher Joselo Diaz.

Stairs was hitting .261 with eight home runs and 32 RBI in 77 games and 226 at-bats for the Royals. All but 29 at-bats were against right-handed pitching.

Diaz started the season at Double-A Frisco and was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in eight games before being promoted to Triple-A Oklahoma. He pitched in 28 games for the RedHawks without a decision and had a 3.28 ERA with four saves.

Chavez was 2-5 with a 4.42 ERA at Frisco and pitched in one game at Oklahoma.

The Rangers seemed close to acquiring veteran right-hander Jon Lieber from the Philadelphia Phillies. But he ended up making his start on Monday against the Florida Marlins and was pummeled for nine runs on 13 hits, including three home runs, in 4 2/3 innings. He is now 4-8 with a 6.09 ERA, which isn't exactly appetizing, considering he is also signed for next year at $7.5 million.

[Melmart1]

I like these moves. We didnt give up anyone significant for some help. Wells, even with his inflated ERA is better than Koronka or Rheinecker or even Loe who is on his way back. But let's see how he does in AL with bigger bats. That is always scary, an NL pitcher adjusting to AL

[TxJudsonRocketTx]

I hope Stairs does well in Texas seeing as how he had no future here in Kansas City now that we're 40 games back of the division leaders, I dont think that guy has ever met a pitch he didnt like, but he will hit a few out the park every now and then. As for Wells, a change of leagues can do wonders for a pitchers game. Example: Bronson Arroyo

[FromWayDowntown]

I like these moves. We didnt give up anyone significant for some help. Wells, even with his inflated ERA is better than Koronka or Rheinecker or even Loe who is on his way back. But let's see how he does in AL with bigger bats. That is always scary, an NL pitcher adjusting to AL

It's a mild upgrade, but I would have liked to have seen the Rangers do more. Kip Wells is a pretty pedestrian pitcher in a league and division in which success would seem to require more than what he's got. Still, an upgrade, no matter how minor, is an upgrade.

I was somewhat surprised that the Rangers were apparently making such a push for Tejada until I read that they were working on a deal to pick up Roy Oswalt from the O's if the Orioles had been able to make a deal with Houston. It makes sense to me, in that scenario (and in that scenario only) that the Rangers might have tried to pressure the Astros into making a deal because of some perception that the Orioles might bite on a different offer, with the Rangers having no intention of making the deal themselves.

[T Park]

I like the moves unlike FWD.

There was no pitching available worth a crap, don't know who FWD wanted...


Wells I've seen him pitch against the Cardinals many a time, and the kid has good stuff and has had success in the past.

Change of scenery should do good.


Good moves by the Rangers.


Now go get the division.....

[Melmart1]

Eaton was AWESOME tonight and Stairs did excellent, and Lee has been doing great since he got to the Rangers. Tomorrow Wells starts, and then all of our additions will have played at least one game. If Wells can stay healthy, I think we have as good a chance as any in the West. Think about it- in a slump, 2 games under .500 and yet still only 4 games out of 1st with two months to go. I like our chances still.

[FromWayDowntown]

I like the moves unlike FWD.

There was no pitching available worth a crap, don't know who FWD wanted...


Wells I've seen him pitch against the Cardinals many a time, and the kid has good stuff and has had success in the past.

Change of scenery should do good.


Good moves by the Rangers.


Now go get the division.....

I'm not really a Rangers fan, just really a baseball watcher who's interested in following the pennant races. My team, the Orioles, have been out of the pennant race since around 2000.

I think it's probably a good thing that the Rangers didn't give up much to make the deals they made, but I honestly don't know that they got a whole lot back. Wells has been injury-prone and even when healthy hasn't been at all above the replacement value pitcher in MLB. If he pitches well for the Rangers, that will prove me wrong; I'm skeptical that he'll pitch well.

If the Rangers had given up any real value for Lee, I think you might have seen them jump into the tank and make a push for a guy like Schmidt or Maddux or Livan Hernandez. In fact, I'm moderately suprised that they didn't make a push for Livan anyway -- he'd be a nice fit there because he's the workhorse type who eats a ton of innings and brings front-of-the-rotation post-season grit.

It seems to me that the Rangers have decided that their route to the playoffs involves pummelling teams to death, but I'm not sure that you can hope to consistently outslug Oakland and the Angels. And the Rangers should know by now that you don't frequently have post-season success built on offensive prowess.

[Brad Wilkerson]

Eaton was AWESOME tonight and Stairs did excellent, and Lee has been doing great since he got to the Rangers. Tomorrow Wells starts, and then all of our additions will have played at least one game. If Wells can stay healthy, I think we have as good a chance as any in the West. Think about it- in a slump, 2 games under .500 and yet still only 4 games out of 1st with two months to go. I like our chances still.

im glad i didnt sttrike out

[yavozerb]

New addition Wells struggled at times but always got out of the inning with good pitches for either DP or K's...Millwood, Padilla, Eaton, Wells, Karonka is probably the best staff they have had in memory!!They truly have a chance to win the West

[sribb43]

im glad i didnt sttrike out

Your such a spare

[FromWayDowntown]

Wells pitched well enough today.

He's proving me wrong so far.

[Melmart1]

Has anyone heard the rumor that the Rangers may waive Barajas to the Sox can claim him to replace Varitek, who is out with knee surgery?

I wouldn't mind Gerald Laird being our everyday catcher, in fact it's what I want. But not having a formidable backup is a little scary since the Rangers are still in it.

[Brad Wilkerson]

Has anyone heard the rumor that the Rangers may waive Barajas to the Sox can claim him to replace Varitek, who is out with knee surgery?

I wouldn't mind Gerald Laird being our everyday catcher, in fact it's what I want. But not having a formidable backup is a little scary since the Rangers are still in it.

We signed Miguel Ojeda for that purpose.

i hope he doesnt strike out as much as i do

[Melmart1]

Yeah, I know about the Rockies deal, but is he really ready to be a backup and primary if (God forbid) Laird were to be injured?

[Solid D]

Tell me... why in the world would the Rangers would waive Barajas?

[Melmart1]

To get something in return for him on a waiver trade rather than letting him walk and getting nothing for him at the end of the year. With Laird starting 4/5 games, you can almost rest assured he finally has the starting job, so Barajas could be expendable in the eyes of some.

I am a little cautious about it though. I guess it depends on who we get back in return. Very risky. But it is a rumor, so take it how you will.

[yavozerb]

Has anyone heard the rumor that the Rangers may waive Barajas to the Sox can claim him to replace Varitek, who is out with knee surgery?

I wouldn't mind Gerald Laird being our everyday catcher, in fact it's what I want. But not having a formidable backup is a little scary since the Rangers are still in it.

What person or site sold you on this one!!That is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Why would you give up an average catcher (Getting harder to find in mlb) to recieve nothing in return and help out another team in the same league...

[Jheum Jhang]

What person or site sold you on this one!!That is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Why would you give up an average catcher (Getting harder to find in mlb) to recieve nothing in return and help out another team in the same league...

Red Sox have lot of money, no?

noting dem Ranger es can do bout it. hehehehehehehehehehe

[Melmart1]

What person or site sold you on this one!!That is about the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Why would you give up an average catcher (Getting harder to find in mlb) to recieve nothing in return and help out another team in the same league...

Um.. who said I was "sold" on it? I expressed reservation, did I not? Read again.

[yavozerb]

Um.. who said I was "sold" on it? I expressed reservation, did I not? Read again.

I have read again and have not seen the source of this info.

[Melmart1]

I know I read it somewhere, I did not make it up. I can't find where I read it though. I read a lot of stuff. Not that it matters, it's just a rumor but if I find it I will post it.

[Solid D]

Tell me... why in the world would the Rangers waive Barajas?

To get something in return for him on a waiver trade rather than letting him walk and getting nothing for him at the end of the year. With Laird starting 4/5 games, you can almost rest assured he finally has the starting job, so Barajas could be expendable in the eyes of some.

I am a little cautious about it though. I guess it depends on who we get back in return. Very risky. But it is a rumor, so take it how you will.

I see. Thanks for the clarification.

I still wouldn't do it. Sometimes you really risk ruining the chemistry with too many tweaks plus teams need depth at catcher. One foul tip with the hand not tucked in and...

The Red Sox are really going to miss their captain and let's face it, Doug is a good guy and all, but he really wouldn't be in Boston if he couldn't use the big mit with Wakefield.

[yavozerb]

Catcher is probably the hardest position to fill in mlb due to the wear and tear they must go through..The rangers have 2 catchers who might be both slightly above average and can alternate them to keep fresh. Only position in any sport I agree that 2 is better than one in regards of a starter!!

[T Park]

The Red Sox won't make the playoffs with Varitek going down.