Before heading to Oakland last weekend to pull off a series victory to begin a run that led to the Texas Rangers reclaiming first place in the AL West, the Rangers pulled off an interesting move when they claimed infielder Adam Rosales off waivers from the rival A's.
Rosales joined the Rangers just in time for the Rangers' first game in Oakland back on Aug. 2. He sat on the Rangers' bench that night, and the next two days as the Rangers took two of the three games with Oakland. Then, on Monday, in the wake of MLB's suspension of Nelson Cruz, the Rangers designated Rosales for assignment to make room for Engel Beltre and Joey Butler.
On Thursday, the A's reclaimed Rosales off waivers from the Rangers, meaning Rosales spent three days with the Rangers, in Oakland, and never played. Quite the tenure.
Was this just a shrewd move by the Rangers' front office? Rosales surely let the Rangers in on some A's insight and at least forced the A's to switch up all of their signs with just hours' notice. Now, the A's will have that same advantage, but only three days' worth, and the Rangers will have nearly a month to change their signs.
Victory, Rangers.
