And Yet Another Rangers Roster Move: Kason Gabbard Sold To Boston

Posted on April 23rd, 2009 2:46pm by Evan Grant
Filed under Uncategorized

The Rangers sent LHP Kason Gabbard, who had been on the Oklahoma City roster,  to the Boston Red Sox this afternoon for “cash considerations,” which essentially means they sold his contract.

The significance of the move is that it opens up a spot on the 40-man roster. Check that, Gabbard cleared waivers in March.

I still think it’s very possible that RHP Jose “Jumbo” Diaz could be added to the 40-man roster as potential bullpen insurance the next time the Rangers create a roster spot. Though he has a 6.23 ERA in five appearances at Double-A Frisco, Diaz has not allowed a walk this season. Diaz, who is 6-4, 300 pounds, hit 100 mph on a radar gun at Frisco last week. He could be a Frank Francisco guy (circa, 204), who finally gets his chance because he’s learned t command his fastball ans has a devastating slider.

Diaz’s arm is held together with a pin and it seems to be a matter of time before another arm injuy sidelines him more seriously. Now might be the time to get him and let him pitch until the arm beomes an issue. Seems inevitable that the arm is goging go at some point.

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18 Comments to “And Yet Another Rangers Roster Move: Kason Gabbard Sold To Boston”
  • Ehren @ April 23rd, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    @Evan: Were we in that much need of another roster spot to give Gabbard up for basically nothing?

  • t ball @ April 23rd, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Are you sure about that 40-man thing? Gabbard was outrighted to OKC on March 31. Doesn’t that mean he was already off the 40?

  • t ball @ April 23rd, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    Never mind. Since a roster spot was not needed, why the move?

  • Ehren @ April 23rd, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    You’re right t ball. Now we just gave him up for nothing.

  • Evan Grant @ April 23rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm

    @tball: You are quick. I thought I caught it before anybody would have time to notice. Dang it. Gabbard was off the roster.

  • BigFatKitty @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Evan, I love you buddy but you got to run spell check on this post.

  • gbm @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:09 pm

    If this does not clear a spot on the 40, why do it?

    Could this be a good faith move for an upcoming catcher trade to the Sox ???

    Young, left handed, under control, and for the most part ineffective … stupid Richie Sexson …

  • Droopydave @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:13 pm

    Maybe he was pissed about his jersey making an appearance without him and raised a stink about it?

  • Goyo @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    A pin? I guess that is a metaphor for fragile? He had TJ surgery fall 04, do you know of some other problems?

    Diaz on the 40 would be a huuuuuge reach and I’m not sure they are that desparate yet. The guy was out of full-season ball for 2 years before 09 and only has a handful of games in AA. I think you’ll see him in AAA first…

  • dave @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    what about Beau Vaughn? he is looking much better than Diaz.

  • cameron @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    There has to be something else involved. Why would we give up Gabbard for nothing?

  • David l @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    picking him over bowden looks even worse now

  • Brett in SD @ April 23rd, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    This is just what Boston needs – a veteran starting pitcher with a history of arm troubles…maybe he can carry around Smoltz’ old elbow ligaments and have them implanted in his next TJ surgery.

  • James in NY @ April 23rd, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    I’m not sure if this is the best place to post this, but does anyone else feel like our pitchers are going through the same thing they did last year with the injuries? I don’t want to take away from what Millwood has done, clearly he did something different and it is working. But we still are losing a lot of guys to injuries. Did Nolan’s approach not work? Is it too soon to tell?

  • ed @ April 23rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm

    I love you, too, but is your keyboard big enough?

  • Pei @ April 23rd, 2009 at 4:27 pm

    Evan, do the Rangers have no right handed relievers in the system that are at least near ready? Diamond, The 2 Beaus, Jumbo, Moscoso, Strop, Gordon…none of them ready, really? But Day is okay? These moves are perplexing.

  • Adam D @ April 23rd, 2009 at 4:44 pm

    wait… if Kason Gabbard was outrighted to OKC on March 31, what was his jersey doing in Toronto for Mr. G’Day Mate to wear? Do the Rangers carry the jerseys around on road trips of guys who aren’t even on the 40-man roster?

  • Jolly @ April 23rd, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    Yeah, what was that jersey doing in Canada? Taking it across international borders, doesn’t that violate Gabbard’s civil rights? But seriously, why is that jersey on the team plane?