The Rangers have signed veteran outfielder Drew Stubbs to a big-league deal, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. To clear roster space for him, they’ve optioned lefty Alex Claudio to Triple-A and transferred Josh Hamilton to the 60-day DL. Stubbs is represented by Lagardere Unlimited.
The Braves designated Stubbs for assignment and then released him earlier this week after he hit .237/.310/.316 in 42 plate appearances with Atlanta. Stubbs is a somewhat familiar face for the Rangers — he played for them briefly last year and was in Spring Training with the club this season before he opted out of his minor-league deal.
The 31-year-old Stubbs is a veteran of eight big-league seasons, having also played with the Reds, Indians and Rockies in addition to the Rangers and Braves. He has a career .244/.313/.394 line, generally hitting for good power but striking out frequently. He hasn’t hit well in the past two seasons, although he still appears to be a capable defensive center fielder and can provide a bit of speed off the bench. Delino DeShields has struggled offensively this season as the Rangers’ starting CF, but Stubbs still appears ticketed for a bench role.
When Choo comes back, Desmond will play CF with DeShields going to triple a
This seems to confirm that
This all but means DeShields will be making a much needed trip to AAA once Choo comes back. DeShields has looked lost at the plate and on the base paths. One can only hope that some time down will have the same results as what Odor had last year.
Desmond, Mazara and Choo is a potentially great OF. Stubbs as 4th (defensive) OF and Rua in platoon with Moreland helps the team.
Lost in all of this is that Hamilton has been shipped to the 60 day DL. Stubbs will be a good 4th OF, maybe reclaim a little value, and give DeShields a chance to work some kinks out or become a AAAA player.
No One should care that Hamilton has been placed in the 60 day DL because he’s a Old washed up has-been. All that matters is that the Rangers OF is going to be a Murderers row with Choo, Desmond, and Mazara. And think about this, by the AllStar break Joey Gallo will be heathy and ready to come up and potential be that 4th OF’er/Utility Man that can really step in and give the team a spark down the stretch!
Gallo will not be a 4th OFer/utility. JD won’t do that. When Gallo comes up, he’s coming up to play every single day, not as a back up. That would just hinder his growth.
I would not be surprised at all if the Rangers are planning on using Gallo as insurance in case of an everyday player or as trade bait to acquire a later need (should a major one arise).