With outfielder Nelson Cruz suspended as a result of the Biogenesis scandal, the Texas Rangers have acquired an outfielder to replace him, trading for Alex Rios from the Chicago White Sox.
The Rangers had placed a waiver claim on Rios yesterday, giving them 72 hours to make the deal or the White Sox would have the choice to let him go on waivers or keep him on their team.
Rios, 32, is hitting .277/.328/.421 with 12 home runs, 55 RBIs, 57 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases in 109 games this season for the White Sox. He may not have the power of Cruz, but he brings the Rangers better defense and a stolen base threat.
“For myself, I’m going to go to a team that’s fighting for first place and I think that’s going to be refreshing,” Rios said. “They’re trying to win the division and go to the playoffs, so let’s see what happens.”
The Rangers will be absorbing Rios’ full contract. Rios is making $12.5 million this season and is due $12.5 million next year as well. His contract includes a team option for 2015 where the Rangers will be able to pay Rios $1 million to release him, or $13.5 million to have him on the roster.
“It’s difficult to let a player like Alex Rios go,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said of the deal. “He in my opinion was outstanding for us on and off the field during his stay in Chicago. It’s difficult to let a player like Alex Rios go.”
In exchange for Rios the White Sox will receive a player to be named later and/or cash from the Rangers.
To take Rios’ spot on the roster the White Sox have recalled outfielder Avisail Garcia from Triple-A Charlotte. Garcia was the player acquired from the Detroit Tigers in the three-team deal where the White Sox gave up Jake Peavy less than two weeks ago.
The Rangers began the day in a virtual tie with the Oakland A’s in the race for the AL West, while the White Sox find themselves in last in the AL Central and well out of the playoff picture.
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