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Tuesday Morning Texas Rangers Update

The latest news and notes on pushing the chips to the middle of the table

Feels good man
Feels good man
Ronald Martinez

Let's get this out of the way first:

Jon Daniels loves Matt Garza. Loves the man. Can't get enough of 'im. Just look at that video. You can almost see JD crack a smile. A smile! JD's nearly acquired Garza three different times already but now he's finally harpooned his soul patch whale.

The Rangers also played a game last night and, hey, they won! Todd Wills has the Rapid Reaction to the Rangers' 3-0 shutout win over the New York Yankees.

MLB.com's Master Tesfatsion recaps the game and writes of Yu Darvish's much needed return to the rotation. The Rangers were able to win a game where the offense didn't really do much again simply because the pitching was superb. That's how the 2013 Texas Rangers draw it up.

Jeff Wilson's game story focuses on Darvish's successful return and the Rangers finally getting a first inning run which catapulted them to a much needed victory.

On the Matt Garza trade:

T.R. Sullivan writes about the Garza acquisition and how he's been a player the Rangers have coveted for years. As Sullivan reports, the deal is officially Garza for Mike Olt, Justin Grimm, C.J. Edwards and a player to be named (apparently Neil Ramirez or two unidentified pitchers; Cubs' choice).

Scott Miller writes that Garza isn't Cliff Lee but he provides the Rangers with the kind of rotation that can win. With Darvish back, Alexi Ogando returning tonight, Colby Lewis rehabbing, and Matt Harrison ahead of schedule; the Rangers add Garza to a rotation that already has Derek Holland and Martin Perez aboard and pitching well.

Anthony Andro writes that even though the Rangers admittedly paid a steep price in prospects, shoring up the rotation with Garza was worth the risk.

Tim Cowlishaw counters that he can't applaud the trade because the Rangers could have used Olt when/if Nelson Cruz is suspended.

Richard Durrett writes that the Rangers paid a high price for Garza but it will be worth it if "Darvish in Game 1, Garza in Game 2 and Derek Holland in Game 3" happens in October.

Anthony Castrovince writes that the Rangers injected some bold flavors into their season by being proactive in acquiring Garza.

Keith Law reviews the trade in an ESPN Insider article where he says that each team got what they needed out of the move. The Cubs receive a solid haul for a rental and the Rangers receive a pitcher who should be worth a few wins over his replacement.

Behind the DMN paywall, Evan Grant writes that the Rangers have time to address the offense now that they've landed the pitcher that they've been after.

On the Star-Telegram Foul Territory blog, Drew Davison has a bunch of quotes from Ranger players who are excited about the Garza acquisition. It sounds as if going for it is playing well in The Room.

Sullivan and Tesfatsion share Notebook duty and report that Lance Berkman is sort of sitting around waiting to get back in the lineup, Mitch Moreland in the No. 2 spot, Cruz's PED status, and other notes.

Davison's notes tackle David Murphy going back to basics to try to reclaim his swing, Berkman hanging around, and an update on Lewis' latest rehab start, among other items.

Lastly, Wills has quotes from Joe Nathan who lauds MLB for cleaning up the game in light of the Ryan Braun suspension. No word on if Nelson Cruz was standing nearby giving Nathan some dirty side eye, but, if so... awkward...