The Texas Rangers have claimed corner infielder Ryan Garko off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. The move effectively kills any chance the Red Sox will be able to trade Mike Lowell to the Rangers in exchange for catching prospect Max Ramirez.
Texas had interest in Lowell if the Sox picked up most—if not all—of the $12 million due the veteran third baseman. The teams had agreed to a deal in December that would have required the Sox to pay $9 million of the money owed to Lowell… But, as reported yesterday, the parameters of a trade would have needed to change as the Rangers subsequently signed free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero.
That deal and other transactions effectively exhausted the $3 million the Rangers had earmarked to pay Lowell.
Garko, 29, will make just $550,000 this season—fitting into the Texas budget very nicely. He hit .268, with 13 HR and 51 RBI last season. He will serve as back up to 1B Chris Davis and allow the Rangers to move Davis to third base when/if 3B Michael Young needs to be relieved.
Garko is a career .279 hitter, with 55 home runs and 247 RBI.
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