DETROIT -- The Rangers announced Sunday that they have acquired outfielder Austin Jackson and right-handed pitchers Cory Gearrin and Jason Bahr from the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named or cash considerations.
General manager Jon Daniels made it clear that Bahr was the central target in the move. Bahr is being assigned to the Rangers' Class A Advanced affiliate Down East Wood Ducks.
"Our primary motivation in the deal was acquiring Bahr," Daniels said. "He's a guy we look at as maybe a little bit of an undervalued prospect."
Daniels said Bahr's progression to this point would have made him tougher to trade for next season. Now in his second Minor League season as a starter, Bahr has a 2.83 ERA in 117 1/3 innings pitched. He has struck out 139 batters and walked 34.
"We look forward to him moving up in our system and being an option for us down the line," Daniels said.
The Rangers are camping at the bottom of the AL West and will continue to be the subject of trade speculation with the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline approaching. That's why a pitcher reporting to Class A Advanced was the centerpiece in a trade that involves two current Major Leaguers. The Rangers have essentially purchased a prospect, Daniels agreed, by taking on the salaries of Jackson and Gearrin.
"There is an element to that, for sure, where our willingness to take on a salary allowed us to acquire Bahr," Daniels said.
Daniels added that the Rangers have told Jackson that there isn't a lot of playing time waiting for him in the outfield. Jackson can play all three spots, so Daniels said the Rangers may decide to keep him as an extra glove, or they may try to flip him in a secondary trade. There is no set date for Jackson to report.
Jackson batted .242 with 13 RBIs in 59 games for the Giants this season. He made 35 starts in center field and one in right. The 31-year-old veteran has played in 1,058 games for six teams in nine Major League seasons.
Gearrin will join the Rangers on Monday in Boston for the start of a three-game series against the Red Sox.
"He fits well within our pen," Daniels said. "Especially with some of our injuries."
Gearrin made 35 relief appearances this season for the Giants, posting a 1-1 record and 4.20 ERA. The 32-year-old is especially effective against right-handed hitters, whom he's held to a .220 average in seven Major League seasons. He has allowed just 0.7 home runs per nine innings.
To make room for Jackson and Gearrin on the 40-man roster, the Rangers transferred pitchers Tony Barnette and Matt Bush from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. The Rangers will announce corresponding moves on the 25-man roster when players report.