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Needing to fill a hole created by suspension, the Texas Rangers secured a deal for a veteran outfielder who should fit the bill. Numbers Game breaks down the Rangers deal for Alex Rios. The Rangers Get: RF Alex Rios. Rios, 32, is a veteran outfielder in the midst of a mediocre season, but hes capable of providing power and speed. Since the start of the 2010 season, Rios is one of six outfielders (B.J. Upton, Andrew McCutchen, Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp are the others) to register at least 70 home runs and 70 stolen bases. His .755 OPS in that time ranks 59th among outfielders with at least 1000 plate appearances. This season, Rios isnt going deep as often as he has in previous years, hitting 12 home runs in 465 plate appearances, and his flyball rate (34.8%) is his lowest since 2005, when he was in his second major league season with the Toronto Blue Jays. While moving to Texas ought to help a hitters production, Rios has struggled to this point in his career at Rangers Ballpark, hitting one home run, with a .255 batting average and .643 OPS in 42 games (177 plate appearances); his lowest OPS at the 11 ballparks in which hes had at least 175 plate appearances. Not only is Rios durable, having played in at least 145 games for each of the last six season, but Rios is an above average defensive right fielder, so he is a more-than-capable replacement for suspended Rangers RF Nelson Cruz, who is also set to become a free agent at seasons end. Not only does Rios add immediate help at a position of need for the Rangers, but hes signed through next season, at the same $12.5-million salary that hes making in 2013, with a $13.5-million team option for 2015. While those salary numbers seem big, theyre pretty much standard for an above average outfielder in his free agent years. A four-game winning streak has the Rangers tied with Oakland for first place in the American League West, making it well worth it to push forward in their quest to win this year, with a move that should improve their outfield production at least through next season as well. The White Sox Get: A player to be named later, reportedly INF Leury Garcia, and $1-million. Garcia is a 22-year-old, diminutive infielder who has played second, third and shortstop this season, but he offers very little at the plate, hitting .192 with a .467 OPS in 25 games. He hasnt hit much in the minors, either, with a .264 average and .723 OPS at Triple-A this season, but he can run, stealing 43 bases on 54 attempts (79.6%) in 147 games between Double-A and Triple-A since the start of 2012. With that pedigree, Garcia is little more than a utility infielder for the White Sox, so the real benefit of trading Rios, aside from financial savings, is that it opens up a regular spot in right field for Avisail Garcia, the free-swinging power hitter acquired from Detroit in the three-way Jake Peavy trade made prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. Moving out Rios, their highest fWAR player (2.1) this season, naturally doesnt make the White Sox a better team, but it acknowledges their current situation. They need young players to get reps and its highly unlikely that the White Sox are going to be poised to contend for a playoff spot as soon as next season, or even the season after, making Rios little more than a roadblock for a prospect like Avisail Garcia. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. Wholesale Custom Nationals Shirts . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Cheap Custom Nationals Jersey . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. http://www.customnationalsjersey.com/ . He was followed closely by David Clarkson, donning red, seconds later. Clarksons actions one night earlier, leaping off the bench in defence of Kessel during a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres, will cost him the first 10 games of the regular season. Cheap Nationals Jerseys .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Cheap Nationals Jerseys . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki goes into his 19th season looking to get Dallas into the top four in the Western Conference because the big German believes that is the easiest way to advance in the playoffs.The Mavericks havent done that since winning the championship in 2011, which helps explain first-round exits in four of the past five seasons. Dallas didnt make the postseason the other year.With another retooled roster that added title-winning experience in former Golden State starters Harrison Barnes and Andrew Bogut after more disappointments in free agency, the Mavericks are ready to try again in the pursuit of that elusive playoff series win.Wed love to establish ourselves up there, the 38-year-old Nowitzki said. That means youve got to be consistent. Youve got to win those Tuesday night matchups at home that sometimes we end up losing. The West is tough. But I think were good enough and were going to fight for it.Dallas added Barnes on a max contract at four years and $94 million after the Warriors had to let him go in free agency when they landed Kevin Durant. Boguts arrival in a trade was essentially for the same reason.The Mavericks have two players remaining from their championship team: Nowitzki and guard J.J. Barea. And what Barnes considers perhaps the key piece: coach Rick Carlisle, who is back for a ninth season in Dallas.You can never have enough championship experience, Barnes said. Weve got some younger guys on the team, a lot of whom are going to play and a contribute a lot, so just teaching these guys. Dont try and look to the All-Star break or April and say, `OK, now Im going to turn it on. Its every single day.Things to consider as the Mavericks push to make the playoffs for the 16th time in 17 seasons:BACKCOURT CONTINUITYWhile Carlisle is dealing with a retooled starting five for the sixth straight season, he does have some backcourt consistency with the return of point guard Deron Williams and shooting guard Wesley Matthews. Williams re-signed after a solid debut with his hometown team last season. Were big and physical at that position, Carlisle said.BOGUTS BUSY SUMMEERThe 7-footer from Australia accelerated his rehab from a left knee injury that knocked him out of the last two games of the NBA Finals loss to Cleveland because he wanted to play in the Olympics.dddddddddddd He started fast but faded somewhat as the Aussies fell short of a medal. He doesnt consider summer wear-and-tear an issue this season.I think you come in in a little bit better shape than you do in most years because I was only playing three or four weeks ago, he said in late September.ABOUT THAT YOUTHSecond-year swingman Justin Anderson figures to be the key contributor among a young group that includes forward Dwight Powell and rookie center A.J. Hammons, a second-round pick. While 7-1 Tunisian center Salah Mejri turned 30 over the summer, hes in just his second season.Theyre definitely athletes and we should be able to have a great defensive lineup once Im out, said Nowitzki, who loves to make fun of his defensive shortcomings.THE OTHER CURRYIn addition to adding a Golden State flavor, the Mavericks signed Seth Curry, younger brother of Warriors superstar Stephen Curry. The former Duke player got his first chance at decent playing time last season with Sacramento. He shot 45 percent from 3-point range, and the Mavericks are hoping he offers that threat off the bench.I feel like Ive played with him the last four years hes been around so much. Just practices, he was with us in camp one year, Barnes said, referring to his time at Golden State.CHANGE OF PACECarlisle figures the starting five with be a plodding group with big guards and aging veterans in the front court. The pace will change significantly with a second group that includes the speedy Devin Harris and Barea, along with the athletic Anderson and Powell. Our second unit has virtually never been a mirror image of our starters, Carlisle said. Thats OK. Weve made it a positive in the past and were going to have to do that again.---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler ' ' '