Rangers Pick Up Righthander Miguel Gonzalez

THE DEAL

The movie “Everything Must Go” has nothing on the White Sox, who moved everything not nailed down. Righthander Miguel Gonzalez was the latest out the door, about an hour before the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline.

Gonzalez goes to the Rangers, who have stayed on the outskirts of the AL wild-card race despite being 66-67 thanks to the sheer mediocrity of the rest of the league.

Gonzalez doesn’t miss many bats and his fastball averages 91.1 mph, but he limits hard contact and generally keeps his team in a game.

“Miguel is an experienced starter to help us down the stretch,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said in a statement. “He’s been throwing very well the last couple of months and gives us a veteran to bolster our staff in the wild-card race.”

WHITE SOX ACQUIRE Ti’Quan Forbes, 3B/SS Age: 20

Forbes was a second-round pick out of high school in Mississippi whose bat has proven far lighter than projected as a prep. The Rangers gave Forbes a $1.2 million bonus to pass on Ole Miss, but he’s posted just a .631 OPS as a pro. He’s clubbed a career-high 11 homers this season but that has come with a career-worst 25 percent strikeout rate. Still just 20, Forbes remains a player notable for raw talent and projection. His carrying tools are plus speed—although that has not translated into stolen bases—and above-average defense at third base, where his athleticism and quick first step play well. But Forbes does not profile at a corner unless he physically matures and can consistently hit for power, and he’s currently a below-average hitter because of his poor approach.

Club (League)	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Hickory (LoA)	.242	80	302	36	73	10	2	8	34	12	76	3	.284	.368
Down East (HiA)	.215	50	181	20	39	6	0	3	11	13	52	2	.270	.298

RANGERS ACQUIRE Miguel Gonzalez, rhp Age: 33

Gonzalez succeeds despite fringy stuff thanks to a bulldog approach and good sequencing. He mixes five pitches well and limits damage. He’s been at his best since the all-star break, going 3-2, 2.94 in that time. Gonzalez is reliable as well, having pitched at least 135 innings every year from 2013-16 and is on pace to do so again this year. Overall he is 51-51, 3.88 in his career despite pitching in hitters-havens Baltimore and Chicago, setting him up well to succeed in the unfriendly confines of Globe Life Park.