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April 30, 2008

Botts DFA'ed, Shelton and Boggs Up, Blalock DL'ed

Texas designated 1B/OF/DH JASON BOTTS for assignment, purchased the contract of 1B CHRIS SHELTON, placed 3B HANK BLALOCK on the 15-day DL, and recalled OF BRANDON BOGGS from AAA Oklahoma.

In terms of wins and losses in 2008 , it makes little difference whether Ben Broussard, Jason Botts, or Chris Shelton starts at first. Broussard was certain to be subadequate , Shelton had a stellar April 2005 and modest success at other times, and Jason Botts had yet to capitalize on the potential shown in his tremendous AAA performances. None is/was likely to be an above-average 1B in 2008. All that said, some semblance of a plan regarding these guys might have helped. This chain of events sure seems haphazard:

Nov 18, 2007 – Texas inquires about Broussard, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Dec 5 – Shelton acquired for Freddy Guzman.

Dec 13 – Broussard acquired for Tug Hulett. Broussard is arbitration-eligible.

Jan 5, 2008 – Broussard gets $3.85 million in a pre-arb agreement.

Jan 14 – Shelton DFA’ed to make room for Kaz Fukumori. He clears and is assigned to AAA.

Mar 4 – Ron Washington declares Broussard an everyday player. Enthusiasm is not a plan!

Mar 25 – Botts makes the active roster without unanimity and despite no apparent role. I suggest he’ll be encased in carbonite at the end of the bench.

Mar 31 – Broussard starts against lefty Eric Bedard on Opening Day, batting 9th. No Rangers 1B had ever batted 9th on the first day of the season. Through April 29th, Broussard has batted 9th in 16 of his 21 starts.

Apr 10 – Botts makes his first start in the team’s ninth game. He has one plate appearance in the first eight games.

Apr 19 – Botts makes his third start. Texas has faced four lefties; Broussard faced the first two and Botts the next two. On the 21st, Ron Washington acknowledges that Botts will play more often after a meeting with Jon Daniels.

Apr 29 – Botts is designated for assignment after nine starts and 38 plate appearances. Shelton added to 40-man roster, active roster, and starting lineup.

Also: good for Boggs.

Posted by Lucas at April 30, 2008 12:19 AM