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April 20, 2005
Transaction
Texas recalled outfielder LAYNCE NIX from AAA and optioned 1B/DH ADRIAN GONZALEZ to AAA.
Adrian Gonzalez unexpectedly made the squad on the basis of 80-or-so terrific exhibition plate appearances. Now, he evidently merits a demotion based on 38 sluggish PAs. Likewise, Laynce Nix unexpectedly lost his job to a journeyman and got his first trip to Oklahoma after batting .197 during the spring, and now he rejoins the Rangers after batting .333 with three homers in ten games.
Is just two weeks of performance the real reason for the maneuver? I hope not. I can’t think of anything that’s occurred over this span that would alter my (or anybody’s) perception of the quality of either player. Anybody can start slow. Witness Mark Teixeira.
Am I too cynical when I say this transaction strikes me as a way to insure that David Dellucci gets his “fair� share of at-bats? With Gonzalez gone, he becomes the primary lefthanded DH.
Posted by Lucas at April 20, 2005 05:39 PM