The Rangers have announced the signing of outfielder Drew Stubbs to a minor league contract. Stubbs was recently released by the Rockies.
Stubbs, 30, was optioned to Triple-A after a miserable start to the season, but has turned it on since being recalled. All told, he owns a .216/.286/.431 slash — well below league-average once park factors are accounted for. That represents a disappointment both for him and the team, which tendered him a contract after Stubbs put up a strong .289.339/.482 slash line last year.
For the lefty-heavy Rangers, Stubbs could provide a useful option down the stretch. He’s actually been better against right-handed pitching this year, but carries a wide platoon split over his career (.670 OPS against righties, .811 versus lefties). Having spent most of his career in center field, Stubbs also represents a nice glove to have in the fold.
Colorado will remain on the hook for the rest of the cash owed this year to Stubbs, who avoided arbitration with a $5.83MM deal. If he does make it to the Rangers’ big league roster, though, the Rockies will get a small offset equivalent to the pro-rated portion of the league minimum salary.
Not a bad low risk move. He could be a nice supplemental outfield piece to replace a guy like Michael Choice in September.