Rangers finally got their own version of Mike Lowell

On a day where the Houston Astros ace Roy Oswalt was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Rangers made a trade not as pristine, but should have a pretty good impact for the team.  In a trade with the Florida Marlins the Rangers acquired right handed hitting Jorge Cantu who can play the corner infield positions and has played 2nd base before, but only twice since 2007.

The Rangers have been trying to get a right handed hitter since this past off season when they attempted to acquire Mike Lowell from the Red Sox for catching prospect Max Ramirez.  The timing wasn’t quite right and Lowell needed surgery so the deal was voided.  Which ended up being a good thing since catchers Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden have spent time in the Minors most of the season.

Ramirez ended up backing up Matt Treanor who was set to be a back up in waiting at Triple-A.  Treanor and Ramirez were the catching tandem until the Rangers traded for Bengie Molina earlier this season.  Once the Rangers acquired Molina, Ramirez was sent to the minors.  Earlier this month Treanor who was serving as Molina’s backup became injured and Teagarden was called up from Double-A to be Molina’s backup.

After the acquisition of Molina the Rangers acquired Cliff Lee which I was pretty amazed that happened and Lee eventually appeared in the Rangers uniform for the All-Star game.  With the pending ownership situation and the Rangers lack of finances, I assumed that the Rangers were done dealing after Lee, although they did want to acquire a right handed corner infielder.

Some how, some way the Rangers were able to pull off another trade and brought Cantu to Arlington to serve as a platoon with current first baseman Chris Davis.  Cantu may also have to spend some time at second base in order to cover for Ian Kinsler who was placed onto the 15 day disabled list with a groin strain.  Kinsler can come off the disabled list on Aug 12 and hopefully he will be back then considering this is his second stint on the D.L. after starting the season on the D.L. with a high ankle sprain.

So I don’t know if I should declare the Rangers finished on the trade market, but I would assume so since they have acquired three players to fill their greatest weaknesses.  There is less then 48 hours away from the trade deadline and all of the big name players on the market have been scooped up.  The Rangers now finally have every piece they need to make it deep into the postseason.