Bowden: James Shields makes sense for Rangers
The Rangers get another solid starter in Shields, who is still striking out almost a batter per inning and on pace for more than 200 innings in a "down" year. Upton solidifies center field, thus allowing Josh Hamilton to move full time to left field -- his best position -- so he can concentrate on getting his bat back to the dominating form he had in April and May. Rangers brass is convinced that Gentry is a breakout player whose success has been stunted because he’s been mixed and matched in the lineup rather than slotted in as an every-day player. In Tampa, Gentry would get that opportunity as the Rays’ every-day center fielder. The Rays also would control Gentry for the next five years, as opposed to Upton, who will be a free agent in October.
You can read the rest of what Bowden has to say here (Insider).
One thing it would do is keep Jurickson Profar, Mike Olt and Martin Perez in the system. But I don't think the club has to have Upton and Gentry is providing a nice boost to this offense with his speed and a good defender in the outfield too.
What do you think of this proposed deal?
Richard Durrett
ESPNDallas.com
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
103.3 FM ESPN PODCASTS
Play Podcast Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss a hypothetical Jurickson Profar for Cliff Lee trade, how he would handle Profar's playing time with the Rangers and more.
Play Podcast Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus joins Galloway & Company to discuss having Scott Boras as his agent, his new contract and having Jurickson Profar in the lineup.
Play Podcast Rangers manager Ron Washington joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett for his weekly visit to discuss Yu Darvish's pitch count and how he spends time in the clubhouse during weather delays.
Play Podcast Nolan Ryan joins Galloway & Company for his weekly visit to discuss the latest Rangers news.
Play Podcast Reid Ryan joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss his new position with the Houston Astros and whether he could see his dad, Nolan, joining him there in the future.
Play Podcast ESPN MLB Insider Jayson Stark joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss if the Rangers are the best team in baseball, what makes them so good and if he thinks the team will trade Jurickson Profar.
Play Podcast Jim Bowden joins Fitzsimmons & Durrett to discuss Ron Washington's decision to send Yu Darvish to the mound for the eighth inning Thursday night and how he would handle a situation like that if he were still a GM.
Play Podcast Randy Galloway, Matt Mosley and Glenn "Stretch" Smith discuss the latest Rangers news, including the Yu Darvish-Justin Verlander matchup.
UPCOMING GAMES
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEX | 31-17 | 15-7 | 16-10 | W2 | |
| SEA | 20-28 | 11-10 | 9-18 | L7 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEX | 31-17 | 15-7 | 16-10 | W2 | |
| SEA | 20-28 | 11-10 | 9-18 | L7 |
| W-L | HM | AW | STK | L10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEX | 31-17 | 15-7 | 16-10 | W2 | |
| ARI | 27-21 | 13-11 | 14-10 | W1 |
TEAM LEADERS
| BA LEADER | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Ian Kinsler
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| OTHER LEADERS | ||||||||||||
| HR | N. Cruz | 11 | ||||||||||
| RBI | N. Cruz | 34 | ||||||||||
| R | E. Andrus | 30 | ||||||||||
| OPS | M. Moreland | .908 | ||||||||||
| W | Y. Darvish | 7 | ||||||||||
| ERA | Y. Darvish | 2.84 | ||||||||||
| SO | Y. Darvish | 91 | ||||||||||
- There are no games scheduled for today.
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