After the Oakland A's designated veteran middle infielder Adam Rosales for assignment, they were hoping to eventually call him back up from the minors soon.
But now, they won't have that chance as the team chasing them in the AL West, the Texas Rangers, claimed him off of waivers on Friday afternoon.
Rosales was having a rough season and was placed on outright waivers by the A's twice, but this time the Rangers snapped up a guy that is an accomplished defender at shortstop, second base and has even played some outfield.
He is hitting just .193 with four homers and eight RBIs in 135 at-bats with the A's this season. His best season came in 2010 when he played in 80 games, hitting .271 with seven homers and 31 RBIs.
The move means someone will have to go down, and it's thought that the Rangers will either assign Engel Beltre or Jurickson Profar to Triple-A Round Rock to play full-time in the outfield in preparation for the possible suspension looming of right fielder Nelson Cruz for his alleged involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.
Whatever happens, Rosales will presumably replace Profar as the backup middle infielder, with Profar either going to Triple-A or the Rangers' outfield.
On the season, Beltre is hitting .300 in 30 at-bats with a double and two RBIs and is a much more polished defensive outfielder than Profar, who is a natural middle infielder by trade. Profar is hitting .244 in 156 at-bats and has three homers to go with 11 RBIs. He's been thrown out on all three of his stolen-base attempts.
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The best thing for Profar, who hasn't played much recently, would be to go down and play every day for Round Rock in the outfield while Beltre holds court until Profar is ready. And who knows? Beltre might surprise some folks.
Neither is a power bat like Cruz, but Profar has shown the ability to drive the ball. Beltre is your typical defensive outfielder who's speedy and exciting but he could give the Rangers some value until Profar is ready.
