Josh Hamilton to the Rangers

[cordscords]

For Edinson Volquez.

No link yet.

[GiantsFan14]

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/122207dnsporanglede.3b085d1a.html

[Members Only Jackets]

YEAH! He does't have to deal w/ Dusty.

[GiantsFan14]

also a link on mlb.com

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2335816&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

i would assume this increases his value as he becomes an everyday starter and gets to hit against carlos silva, though he is leaving the hitters paradise in cinci...what are everyone elses thoughts?

[Yoda]

As long as he is healthy and gets playing time, I think he can produce nice numbers. I don't think he will be more than a 3rd OF in fantasy because I ahve doubts about him staying healthy.

[acsguitar]

Doesn't the ball carry well in Texas?

[kab21]

More interesting is - how does this effect Jay Bruce? Are the Reds really going to start Freel or Hopper with Bruce at AAA? Bruce does apparently play passable CF defense (opinions welcome) and might be able to hold down CF for a season.

[Members Only Jackets]

Texas = hitters paradise

[stumpak]

also a link on mlb.com

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071221&content_id=2335816&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

i would assume this increases his value as he becomes an everyday starter and gets to hit against carlos silva, though he is leaving the hitters paradise in cinci...what are everyone elses thoughts?

Texas is not exactly a pitchers park, so no worries there.

But this certainly increases Hamilton's value. No logjam in Texas - he has a guaranteed job and will hit in the middle of the order. The Texas offense is not so bad with Kinsler, Young, Hamilton, Brousard and Blalock (and Bradley for the 60 games he's healthy). And, as mentioned, no Dusty. I own him and I am estatic - I was getting really worried about him getting yanked around by Dusty.

[bigken117]

Baseball America says Bruce will "likely start"...

By trading away Hamilton, the Reds have opened up a spot for Minor League Player of the Year Jay Bruce, who now will likely join Ken Griffey and Adam Dunn in the Reds outfield.