The Rangers signed outfielder/first baseman Conor Jackson and left-handed reliever Joe Beimel to minor league contracts, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan tweets. The deals include invitations to big league Spring Training.
Jackson posted a .244/.310/.341 line in 390 plate appearances with the Athletics and Red Sox in 2011. The 29-year-old SFX client played all four corner positions last year. Jackson, a right-handed hitter, owns a .283/.381/.436 career line against left-handed pitching, so he could spell left-handed hitters such as Mitch Moreland, Josh Hamilton and David Murphy if he makes the MLB roster.
Beimel, 34, posted a 5.33 ERA with 6.0 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and a 41.2% ground ball rate in 25 1/3 innings in 2011. The Pirates signed the Joe Sroba client to a minor league deal last January and released him in August. The Rangers don't have much in the way of experienced left-handed relief after losing Darren Oliver and Mike Gonzalez via free agency.
Next up, Mike Gonzalez.
The article says we lost Gonzalez. Has he signed anywhere yet?
Meaning he is a free agent, he hasn’t signed anywhere.
I remember one great catch he made against the O’s in September, too bad he didn’t have more of those moments…probably because he tried to run through the fence.
Connor Jackson looks like one of my bosses. I just hope he isnt a big tool like him. haha
There are two guys who’s careers went south in a hurry.
I like the pickup… Jackson can spell Moreland at 1B against tough lefties while still having the versatility to play LF.
Beimel was a solid LH RP for a few years, a few years ago, and could rediscover that form.
We desperately need a Utility Infielder. One of Bill Hall, Felipe Lopez, or Aaron Miles would be a solid addition.
I would love to see Aaron Miles in a Rangers uniform, I was kind of hoping they’d get Ryan Theriot before he said with the Giants but they really need someone, right now there’s not really any options except Alberto Gonzalez.
Michael Young is technically the Rangers UIF. But he can’t play SS so yeah, we need somebody else. Bill Hall has only played 6 games at shortstop in the last 4 seasons so he’s out. Miles would probably come cheaper than Lopez, as well. If they can’t get anybody else, get ready for them to start bringing a few minor league spares (see: Omar Quintanilla last year).