Rangers trade Sierra to Yankees for prospect

[Dooby]

Rangers trade Sierra to Yankees for prospect
Rangers notes
By T.R. Sullivan
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Outfielder Ruben Sierra has been traded by the Texas Rangers to the New York Yankees for minor-league outfielder Marcus Thames.

Sierra, 36 was on his way to Puerto Rico with the Rangers on Thursday night in anticipation of playing in his first major-league game on his home island. But he had to make a U-turn and head for Chicago where the Yankees take on the Cubs in a three-game series beginning Friday afternoon.

"The bad thing is I'll miss my kids. They're waiting on me [in San Juan] to watch me play," Sierra said. "The good thing is I'm going from last place to first place."

The Yankees, who lead the Boston Red Sox by a half-game in the American League East, were looking for offensive help after injuries to Bernie Williams and Nick Johnson, who are on the disabled list. Owner George Steinbrenner is particularly eager to shake up his team. The Yankees also have shown interest in Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Kenny Lofton.

Sierra could be used as a pinch hitter and part-time designated hitter. Sierra played with the Yankees for parts of 1995 and '96.

The Rangers, having lost six in a row, are ready to start making changes, and they also need to make room for center fielder Doug Glanville, who is supposed to come off the disabled list this weekend.

Glanville was going to join the Rangers in Atlanta on Thursday. Instead, the Rangers decided to have him play one more game for Double-A Frisco and then fly to Puerto Rico Friday.

"If all goes well, he'll be activated either Friday or Saturday," Rangers manager Buck Showalter said.

Sierra is hitting .263 for the Rangers with three home runs and 12 runs batted in in 133 at-bats. Thames, 26, is hitting .278 with 15 doubles, two home runs and 28 RBI for Triple-A Columbus. He had 13 at-bats with the Yankees last year, hitting .231. He did not play the past two nights for Columbus as the Yankees anticipated moving him in a trade.

[COOLJAZZ]

"The bad thing is I'll miss my kids. They're waiting on me [in San Juan] to watch me play," Sierra said. "The good thing is I'm going from last place to first place."

It sounds like somebody is a little PO'ed. (A little jab back at the Rangers.)
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

[mavsfanforever]

I do not know how to react as I am not a huge fan of Sierra anyway. But I wish we could have got some pitcher instead of an outfielder.