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The Texas Rangers were interested in Alex Rios before last weeks non-waiver trading deadline. They really needed him after losing All-Star slugger Nelson Cruz. Texas acquired the Chicago White Sox right fielder Friday after putting in an earlier waiver claim for Rios, and four days after Cruz was suspended for the final 50 games of the regular season. "Hes good for us, and we had interest in him prior to learning of Nelsons suspension and continued to have interest in, and were able to work out a deal," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said on a conference call. "We had interest either way." The Rangers also got cash while sending the White Sox a player to be named later or cash. Cruz, the 2011 AL championship series MVP, was among 13 players disciplined Monday by Major League Baseball following its investigation into the Biogenesis clinic accused of distributing banned performance-enhancing drugs. He was leading the Rangers with 27 home runs and 76 RBIs. Going into a four-game series at Houston starting Friday night, the Rangers had won nine of 10 games. Texas, a playoff team the past three seasons, made up six games in the AL West in that span to tie Oakland for the division lead. Daniels said Rios wasnt expected to make it to Houston for the start of the series opener, but should be in the lineup Saturday. The Rangers have to make a 25-man roster move when the 32-year-old Rios reports. Rios is batting .277 with 12 home runs, 26 stolen bases, 55 RBIs and 57 runs scored. He joined the White Sox after he was claimed off waivers from Toronto on Aug. 10, 2009. "For myself, Im going to go to a team thats fighting for first place and I think thats going to be refreshing," Rios said. "Theyre trying to win the division and go to the playoffs, so lets see what happens." Another benefit for Texas is that Rios is signed for $12.5 million in 2014 with a club option of $13.5 million for 2015. Cruz and David Murphy, another corner outfielder, are both eligible for free agency after the season. "That certainly adds a layer to it for us," Daniels said. Asked how the acquisition of Rios might affect Cruzs future with the Rangers, Daniels responded, "Ones not related to the other" and that the team would make a decision on the potential return of Cruz at the appropriate time. "Thats not now," Daniels said. "Right now, were focused on putting the best club we possibly can out there, and its an unrelated situation." White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said it wasnt easy trading Rios. "Its difficult to let a player like Alex Rios go," he said. "He in my opinion was outstanding for us on and off the field during his stay in Chicago." The Rios trade is the next step for the retooling White Sox, who went into Fridays day-night doubleheader against Minnesota last in the AL Central. "We looked so good in spring training, we actually thought we were going to be contenders," Rios said. "Its just bizarre what happened. I cant point a finger at what exactly happened. Its just one of those years." Rios departure creates an opening for Avisail Garcia, the promising outfielder acquired from Detroit as part of a three-team deal that sent Jake Peavy from the White Sox to Boston before the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Garcia was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte, where he hit .370 in eight games. The trades also give the White Sox some economic flexibility to use on the draft, international players or free agency. "Its going to go to making the big league club better for the long haul, no doubt," Hahn said. "One of the positives of an unfortunate season like this is were going to have an opportunity to spend a lot more money on amateur talent. Thats going to be the first couple of line items next year -- what we spend on the draft and what we spend on that internationally. Even after that, given the flexibility thats opened up, there will be the opportunity whether it be via trade or free agency to perhaps take on even more money." Texas manager Ron Washington called Rios a solid outfielder and tremendous base runner. His 26 stolen bases were tied for sixth in the AL with Rangers centre fielder Leonys Martin, and four behind team leader Elvis Andrus. "What it does is just add to what the dynamic already is here," Washington said. "I dont think the void that Nelson left can be filled. (Rios) is a solid baseball player and we just want him to come in and play his game. He fits in well, extremely well." ------ Basketball Shoes Sale . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Discount Basketball Shoes . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. https://www.cheapbasketballshoesstore.com/ . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. Cheap Basketball Shoes Free Shipping . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. Basketball Shoes From China . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. (STATS) -- Nicholls has been competitive against FBS programs this season, and the Southland Conference program has scheduled a difficult challenge at LSU in 2020.HoumaToday.com reported Wednesday the two Louisiana schools have agreed to a first-ever meeting at Tiger Stadium, although no date has been given.Nicholls is located in Thibodaux, just over 70 miles from Baton Rouge.Weve never been to Baton Rouge and some of the other (FCS) teams in our state have played there, Nicholls coach Tim Rebowe said. I knoww Southeastern (Louisiana) will get to go there, we will get to go there and it is big for us.dddddddddddd It is good for the whole state when you can get a game between Nicholls and LSU.Nicholls is 1-2 this season, suffering close losses to Georgia (26-24) and South Alabama (41-40).The Colonels also have first-ever meetings scheduled against Texas A&M next year and Tulane in 2018. ' ' '