Posted on Wed, Apr. 30, 2008

Botts can't wait to move on

By JEFF WILSON

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

ARLINGTON -- The ending Jason Botts expected to receive in spring training unfolded a month later when the Texas Rangers designated him for assignment Tuesday.

Botts was part of a weak-hitting tandem at first base that entered Tuesday's game with a combined average of .168 (19-for-113). Botts was hitting .158 (6-for-38) with two homers and 18 strikeouts.

Chris Shelton took his spot on the 40-man roster Tuesday. He got the start at first base against Kansas City and was 0-for-5.

If the Rangers can't trade Botts or if another club doesn't claim him in 10 days, he will report to Triple A Oklahoma. Botts, though, sounded as though he wanted to start over with another organization.

"I've been here for an extremely long time, and I deserve a fresh start somewhere else," Botts said. "It's not the most negative thing. It's more of an unknown thing. Where am I going to be in 10 days?"

Botts was drafted by the Rangers in the 46th round of the 1999 draft. He made his major league debut in 2005 after hitting 31 home runs for Oklahoma.

He was hitting .320 there last season when he was recalled for the third consecutive year. Botts, though, could never solve major league pitching, and he leaves the Rangers with a .230 average in 282 at-bats, five homers and 108 strikeouts.

Ben Broussard, Botts' partner at first, is doing only marginally better with a .173 average (13-for-75) in his first season with the Rangers. But general manager Jon Daniels said Broussard has a better track record than Botts.

Outfielder John Mayberry took Shelton's spot on the Oklahoma roster. Shelton was hitting .354 with three homers for the RedHawks, and Rangers manager Ron Washington said Shelton is a proven major league hitter who is likely to see most of the playing time at first base.

As for Botts, he expects big things down the road.

"There have been plenty of examples of people leaving Texas Rangers who go on to really great things," he said. "There's a great probability that something huge is in my future. It's kind of an exciting moment."