MLB News: Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Webb officially joins the Texas Rangers
Rumours were buzzing across the country when reports came in of Brandon Webb joining the Texas Rangers. With Cliff Lee moving out of the team, a void was left untended and that had become the primary focus of the clubhouse. The
management needed a top pitcher in the club and while options ran out in the market, Webb became one of the likely targets of the offseason.
The news of Webb’s joining has now been confirmed. The former 2006 National League Cy Young award winner will look to move past an injury plagued 2009 and 2010 (he made no appearances in the latter year) when the regular league
starts up in April. The chase is on for the Rangers to retain their honours as American League Champions; the team that made history by winning the title in 2010 and moving to the World Series last year. Now the management will hope for the best in 2011 when
the new challenge starts in April.
Webb can fulfil a role that was left vacant by Cliff Lee. The Texans will be happy to see the rotation crisis resolved following the recent signing. There is, however, still news on the club’s intent on bringing Adrian Beltre to
the side and while that saga continues, Vladimir Guerrero could come back to the team. The veteran who was denied an option and arbitration may be looking on joining another team. The Rangers, however, are looking to bring him back for another year.
General Manager Jon Daniels believes the signing of Webb and former Cincinnati Reds’ player Arthur Rhodes will help groom youngsters in the club. He further believes the players can help steer the team to a comfortable position
in the 2011 season.
"Over the last couple of years we've spent time building the depth of our young players in the system," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "One thing we're proud of is being able to select the right mix of veterans who not
only can help us win ballgames but also set the right tone and bring the right pedigree of success. We feel Arthur and Brandon both fit that profile. We obviously feel they are poised to have big years for us."
For Rhodes, playing for the Rangers is considered an honour since he’s a native Texan. He was born in Waco and was part of the pitching rotation in LaVega High.
"It feels great being a Ranger," Rhodes said. "Being a native Texan, it's going to be good pitching at home in front of family. There were a lot of other teams me and my agent talked to, but the Texas Rangers were interested, so
I decided to play in my home state."
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