The Rangers have brought back 32-year old righty reliever Kuzuo Fukumori on a minor league contract. He pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last season and he was 0-0 with a 20.25 ERA and a 3.75 WHIP. Fukumori allowed an amazing 11 hits (2 of which were homers) and walked 4 batters in only 4 innings for the Rangers last season. He also didn’t pitch well in AAA ball last season as he worked in 38 games (4 starts) in which he was 1-6 with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Fukumori was pitching batting practice in AAA as he allowed 79 hits in only 64 innings last season. I know the Rangers are hard up for pitching help but they should have just let Fukumori walk away.

The Rangers have designated 26-year old righty reliever Wes Littleton for assignment. He pitched in 12 games (0 starts) for the Rangers last season and he was 0-0 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. Littleton has now pitched in 80 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 5-3 with 3 saves, a 3.69 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Don’t look for Littleton to be out of work too long as he is a decent pitcher. With the pitching problems the Rangers have, it’s a surprise that Littleton was let go.

The Rangers have acquired 23-year old righty swinging outfielder Greg Golson from the Phillies for outfielder John Mayberry Jr. Golson played in 6 games for the Phillies last season and he was 0 for 6 with 2 runs scored and a RBI. He also whiffed 4 times with the Phillies which is pretty amazing. Golson also played in 106 games in AA ball last season and he was 120 for 426 (.282 avg, .767 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 13 homers, 60 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. Golson whiffed 130 times last season in the minors and that’s just not acceptable for the kind of hitter he is. He was however the Phillies $7 prospect heading into the 2008 season according to Baseball America so he has a nice upside.

24-year old righty swinging outfielder John Mayberry Jr. was the #17 prospect of the Rangers heading into last season according to Baseball America. Mayberry played in 135 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 137 for 519 (.264 avg, .797 OPS) with 65 runs scored, 20 homers, 71 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. This looks like a pretty even trade as it gives two talented players new starts.

The Rangers have sold Kameron Loe to a Japanese pro team. Loe then signed on for 2-years and $2 million bucks to pitch in Japan. The 27-year old Loe pitched in 14 games (0 starts) with the Rangers last season and he was 1-0 with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. Loe finished up his career with the Rangers having worked in 107 games (47 starts) in which he was 19-23 with 1 save, a 4.77 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Loe might pitch well in Japan but the Rangers won’t miss him too much.

The Texas Rangers are in the hunt for pitching plain and simple. The Rangers will likely be bidding on Kerry Wood, Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman in a attempt to improve the closer position on the pitching staff. Frank Francisco projects as a outstanding set up man but the Rangers don’t feel comfortable with him pitching in the 9th inning. The Rangers will also be kicking the tires on righty relievers like Russ Springer, Brandon Lyon, Luis Ayala, Juan Cruz, David Weathers and Bobby Howry. The Rangers also need lefty help in the bullpen and they will be looking at Joe Beimel, Jeremy Affeldt, Brian Shouse and Dennys Reyes. The Rangers will also be in the hunt for one pricey starting pitcher and one that’s trying to rebound. Randy Johnson, Oliver Perez, Ben Sheets, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett and Ryan Dempster likely fit into the expensive class. The Rangers will also look at cheaper pitchers like Brad Penny, Braden Looper, Paul Byrd, Pedro Martinez, Freddy Garcia and Mike Hampton. Also, don’t rule out the Rangers bringing back Kenny Rogers if they get a deal on him. The Rangers’ offense is good enough to make the playoffs but they need to start stopping other teams from scoring so many runs.