DETROIT -- The Rangers took a new approach to bulking up the thinned-out pitching in their minor league system. They bought a prospect by taking on more than $5 million in salaries as part of a deal with San Francisco on Sunday.
The Rangers acquired right-hander Jason Bahr, a rotation prospect, in addition to outfielder Austin Jackson of Denton Ryan and right-handed reliever Cory Gearrin. There is a good chance Jackson never joins the Rangers, who are looking to flip him.
"Our primary motivation was acquiring Jason Bahr," general manager Jon Daniels said. "He's a guy we look at as a little bit of an under-valued prospect. If he continues on his current trajectory, a year from now he'd be tough to acquire.
"We're looking to acquire young pitching talent to continue to build with an impressive lower area of our system."
Bahr, 23, went to San Francisco as a fifth-round pick in the 2017 draft out of Central Florida. He is 8-4 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.03 WHIP for 84 2/3 innings this season at Low-A Augusta and High-A San Jose. He will join High-A Down East.
To get Bahr, the Rangers added the remaining salaries of Jackson and Gearrin, about $5.2 million. The Giants wanted to free payroll space so that additional trades will not put them over the luxury tax threshold.
This is the second time in eight months the Rangers have given financial help to the Giants. In December, the Rangers obtained unwanted left-hander Matt Moore, earning $9 million this season, for two minor league right-handers.
"There was a financial motivation on the Giants' side," Daniels said. "Our ownership is extremely supportive. Their willingness to take on some salary allowed us to acquire Bahr."
Gearrin, 32, will join the Rangers on Monday at Boston. Daniels said Gearrin, whose near-sidearm delivery is different from other Rangers reliever, can help a bullpen that has lost right-handers Tony Barnette, Matt Bush and Chris Martin to injuries. Barnette and Bush went on the 60-day disabled list after Sunday's trade.
The addition of Gearrin also increases the possibility of the Rangers dealing one or more relievers to contenders.
Daniels said the Rangers are "evaluating our options" with Jackson and asked him to hold off reporting to the club. The labor agreement gives traded players 72 hours to join their new team.
Daniels spoke with Jackson and told him there would not be much playing time for him with the Rangers.
Jackson, 31, had a poor season with the Giants. He hit .242 with a .604 OPS in 149 at-bats.
According to fangraphs.com, Jackson tied for No. 124 among 138 major league outfielders in defensive runs saved at minus-9.
Daniels also acknowledged the possibility of sending Jackson to another club.
"We're looking at talking to other clubs about the possibility of a trade," Daniels said. "We're not yet certain when he will report, or if there is potential for a second move."
Bahr is a late bloomer. He walked on at UCF and made only one appearance in three seasons before being cut. He returned to the team under a new coaching staff and had a strong 2017 season.
At 6-5, Bahr has a long stride in his delivery that enables a low-90 mph fastball to get on hitters quicker than they expect. The fastball is his top pitch, and he also uses a changeup, slider and curveball.
"We liked him as an amateur," Daniels said. "He really blossomed this year."
Bahr is the second pitching prospect added by the Rangers in an in-season deal. They previously picked up 20-year-old right-hander Emmanuel Clase from San Diego for catcher Brett Nicholas. Clase is with Spokane of the Short-season A Northwest League.
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