Projo Sox Blog

BY JOE McDONALD
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- When the Boston Red Sox traded Kason Gabbard to the Texas Rangers on July 31, 2007, the left-handed pitching prospect was shocked.

He was stunned by the fact he would no longer be part of a special group of homegrown players who would eventually help Boston win the World Series that fall. Gabbard exited the Red Sox organization, along with outfielders David Murphy and Engel Beltre, in exchange for reliever Eric Gagne.

Now Gabbard is back. And he's looking forward to what he believes is a perfect situation as the Red Sox re-acquired him on Thursday in a purchase from the Rangers.

"It was another step in my career, but it didn't work out there," said Gabbard of his time with the Rangers. "Now I'm stepping back to my roots. I can't wait."

He will report to extended spring training in Fort Myers on Friday and will begin a starter's normal five-day progression in order to build his arm strength back up.

As of late Thursday night, Gabbard hadn't had a chance to talk to any of his former/current Red Sox teammates. He did speak with Ben Cherington, the organization's senior vice president/assistant general manager, and Mike Hazen, the director of player development. They explained to Gabbard what his plans would be moving forward.

Gabbard was originally selected by the Red Sox in the 29th round of the 2000 draft and became a big part of the redevelopment system along with the likes of Manny Delcarmen, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester and Jonathan Papelbon.

Now Gabbard is back where he believes he belongs.

"I'm pumped," he said. "When you look at the Red Sox situation, I mean, they're stacked up there and that's how I like it. I like the competition and I want to be involved in it. I know there's great talent in the minor leagues, which is awesome. It's great competing against your teammates, but obviously in a good way, and getting to the big leagues and competing."

He made his major-league debut for the Red Sox in 2006 and posted a 1-3 record with a 3.51 ERA in seven games (four starts). In 2007, he went 4-0 with a 3.73 in seven starts for Boston before the trade. When he arrived in Texas he finished the season 2-1 with a 5.58 ERA in eight starts for the Rangers.

He went 2-3 with a 4.82 ERA in 12 starts for the Rangers in 2008 before having season-ending surgery to remove a bone spur in his left elbow during the All-Star break.

During the winter meetings last December in Las Vegas, Rangers president Nolan Ryan said Gabbard would be a solid addition to the Rangers pitching staff.

When camp broke this spring, however, he was sent to Triple-A Oklahoma. The Rangers wanted him to utilize him as a reliever to face left-handed hitters. According to Gabbard, the Rangers thought using him in that limited role would be better for his surgically repaired elbow.

He made five relief appearances for Oklahoma going 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA. In his first four outings, however, he only allowed one earned in five innings of work.

"I did what they asked me to do," he said. "I was throwing one-inning games at a time. I was throwing good and went to Triple-A and they started using me more and more. They pretty much wore out our bullpen and I was eating up innings and overused my arm. I had a dead arm for a couple of days. I went in there and told them, 'I prefer not to do this anymore. I want to start again.' Next thing you know, they traded me."

Gabbard wasn't happy with his situation, so the Rangers organization finally traded him back to the Red Sox.

"They knew I wasn't happy where I was at in Triple-A, and I think they just finally pretty much agreed with me," he said. "I couldn't be more fortunate that the Red Sox picked me up."

 Tags  Kason Gabbard Rangers Red Sox trade

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