Its a busy day for players traded on December 21, 2007.
Outfielder Josh Hamilton was traded to the Rangers by the Cincinnati Reds on that day for Edinson Volquez and Daniel Ray Herrera.
Hamilton is reportedly being activated from the disabled list today.
Herrera was claimed off of waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers.
And Volquez ripped the Reds' offense after yesterday's game for not scoring enough runs (after Volquez had allowed 7 runs in 2 2/3 IP), and then was optioned to AAA today.
Volquez was the Reds' Opening Day starter, and his performance in 2008 was strong enough for some to question the wisdom of the Rangers having dealt Volquez for Hamilton.
However, since the start of 2009, he's been ineffective or sidelined due to Tommy John surgery, and after this most recent meltdown, he's heading back to the minors, a month and a half before his 28th birthday.
It is amazing to look back and realize that Volquez has spent parts of seven seasons in the major leagues -- when he made his major league debut, John Hart was the Rangers' g.m., Buck Showalter was the manager, and Ryan Bukvich, Matt Riley, Justin Thompson and James Baldwin were all part of the bullpen.