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Nov 21, 2008 8:44 am US/Central
Rangers & Phillies Swap Former First-Rounders
ARLINGTON (AP) ―
The World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers swapped former first-round picks Thursday.
Texas acquired outfielder Greg Golson from the Phillies for outfielder John Mayberry.
In another of several moves to set their 40-man roster, the Rangers designated right-hander Kameron Loe for assignment in anticipation of selling his rights to a team in Japan.
Golson, who is from Texas, was the 21st overall pick by the Phillies in the 2004 draft. He spent last season at Double-A Reading, where he hit .282 with 13 homers and 60 RBIs in 106 games. He went 0-for-6 as a September call-up for the Phillies, his only major league action.
Mayberry, drafted 19th overall by the Rangers in 2005, hit .263 with 16 homers and 58 RBIs in 114 games for Triple-A Oklahoma City this year.
The 6-foot-7 Loe, who wants to be a starter, made 14 relief appearances during five stints with Texas this season. Loe has been with the Rangers since they selected him in the 20th round of the 2002 draft, and he has appeared in 107 games (47 starts) over the past five seasons.
"We were prepared to have Kam come back and compete for a spot in the bullpen if this hadn't presented itself," general manager Jon Daniels said. "It's a good opportunity for him, not only financially, but for him to start."
Loe, a fan favorite known for his 7-foot pet boa constrictor named Angel, is 19-23 with one save and a 4.77 ERA.
Also designated for assignment was right-hander reliever Wes Littleton, who in 2006 set a Rangers rookie record with a 1.73 ERA, but appeared in only 12 games with a 6.00 ERA this season. Texas has 10 days to trade, release or outright him to the minor leagues.
Texas purchased the contracts of infielder Jose Vallejo, and right-handers John Bannister, Willie Eyre and Omar Poveda. All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler and left-hander Kason Gabbard were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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