The Rangers have acquired 26-year old righty swinging outfielder Jeff Francoeur from the Mets for 25-year old infielder Joaquin Arias. Francoeur has played in 123 games for the Mets this year and he is 94 of 398 (.236 avg, .663 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 11 homers, 53 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. He has now played in 829 games in his six years in the majors and he is 837 of 3,140 (.267 avg, .733 OPS) with 393 runs scored, 99 homers, 453 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. The Rangers hope that Francoeur will be able to give them a solid bat off the bench in September. The Rangers won’t miss Arias as they had designated him for assignment last week.

David Murphy did a good job while Nelson Cruz was out of action but the Rangers need Cruz to stay healthy the rest of the year. Cruz has played in 77 games this year for the Rangers and he is 90 of 281 (.320 avg, .968 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 16 homers, 64 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. He gives the Rangers another big time weapon in the middle of the batting order and I think Vladimir Guerrero misses him when he’s out of the lineup.

The Rangers have placed 30-year old righty reliever Frank Francisco on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his right side. Francisco has pitched in 56 games (0 starts) so far this year and he is 6-4 with 2 saves, a 3.76 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He has whiffed 60 batters while only allowing 49 hits in 52 2/3 innings this year as despite losing his closer job he has still pitched well overall. The Rangers have recalled 23-year old lefty Derek Holland to replace Francisco in the pen. Holland pitched in 7 games (5 starts) earlier this year for the Rangers and he was 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He has whiffed 26 batters in only 28 1/3 innings this year so I think he has the stuff to excel in the pen.

24-year old lefty Matt Harrison and 26-year old righty Alexi Ogando have pitched so well that it stretches the bullpen if the starters run into trouble. Harrison has pitched in 25 games (6 starts) for the Rangers this year and he is 2-1 with 2 saves, a 3.76 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. But as a reliever he has been outstanding. In 19 games as a reliever for the Rangers, Harrison is 1-2 with 2 saves, a 2.18 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He gives the Rangers a second quality lefty in the pen to team with Darren Oliver. Ogando is a flame thrower. He has pitched in 27 games (0 starts) for the Rangers so far this year and he is 3-1 with a 1.24 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He has only given up 18 hits while whiffing 30 batters in 29 innings so far this year showing just how nasty his stuff has been.

The Rangers have designated 25-year old righty swinging infielder Joaquin Arias for assignment to make room on the active roster for Alex Cora. Arias played in 50 games for the Rangers this year and he was 27 of 98 (.276 avg, .637 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 9 RBIs and 1 stolen bases. He played in 91 games in his four years with the Rangers and he was 65 of 227 (.286 avg, .701 OPS) with 37 runs scored, 19 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. I have a feeling that Arias won’t be clearing waivers.

UPDATE: (8/31/2010) - The Rangers have dealt Joaquin Arias to the Mets for Jeff Francoeur.