RANGERS, BREWERS BLOCKBUSTER
The Texas Rangers acquired outfielders Carlos Lee and Nelson Cruz from the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Francisco Cordero, outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix and pitcher Julian Cordero.
What does it give the Texas Rangers
Known for an explosive attack of power hitters in recent years, the Rangers' bats have been relatively quiet this year. The addition of Lee puts a decisive end to that. He emerged as one of the game's better power hitters in a year-and-a-half in Milwaukee and inserting that kind of production into the middle of the Texas lineup should have a trickle-down effect on struggling sluggers like Hank Blalock and Mark Teixeira. This puts them in much better position to bust out of .500 mediocrity and take a run at the wide-open AL West title. Since Lee is a free agent at the end of the year, Cruz gives the Rangers a little future in the deal. An aging prospect at 26, he's always had five-tool potential and was having his best minor-league season yet at Triple-A Nashville. The trade gives him a much better shot at big-league playing time than he had in the crowded Brewers organization.
What does it give the Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers managed to trade their biggest bat while not completely taking them out of any dark-horse hopes of contention. Francisco Cordero, of course, was one of the top closers in the game over the previous two seasons but struggled early this year and lost that job. With Derrick Turnbow recently yanked from the Brewers' closing spot, Cordero has a prime opportunity to take over. And if not, they now have two pretty good options. Mench, who had a scorching April but has quieted since, gets the change of scenery he probably needed. He'll try to replace Lee's right-handed power bat in the lineup, but will get competition for playing time from Gabe Gross, Corey Hart and Tony Gwynn Jr. Nix is a talented left-handed hitter, still just 25, who wasn't quite able to break through with the Rangers. But the struggle to break through in Milwaukee won't be any easier with the quality young outfielders they have in the system in Gross, Hart and Gwynn. Finally, Julian Cordero is more of a long-term pitching prospect in just his first year pro. He's had some success as a starter and reliever in the low minors but has a long way to go before emerging as someone with a shot at the big-league roster.
Fantasy impact
