Guzman traded to Rangers for prospects

July 30, 2010 3:16 PM by Ben Goessling View Comments

UPDATE AT 5:50 P.M.: Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo discussed the trade with reporters a few minutes ago; the Nationals will get Double-A right-handers Ryan Tatusko and Tanner Roark. He explained the reasons behind the trade to be exactly what everyone assumed they were; Guzman is a free agent after the season, and with Ian Kinsler getting hurt, the Rangers needed an infielder. It was an opportunity, Rizzo said, for the Nationals to add "inventory."

The Nationals have traded infielder Cristian Guzman to the Texas Rangers for prospects, parting ways with their longest-tenured player a day before the trade deadline, two team sources confirmed.

Guzman, who will be a free agent after the season, was hitting .282 with a .327 on-base percentage in 89 games for the Nationals this season. He'd lost his starting shortstop job to Ian Desmond this spring, and was playing both shortstop and second base for the Nationals this year.

A source close to Guzman said the Rangers and several other teams inquired about the infielder earlier in the month. But Guzman, who has 10-and-5 rights, was just asked today if he would permit a trade, which the source said he will do.

"They agreed it was time for him to do something else," the source said.

The trade will not be official until tomorrow, since Guzman has 24 hours to officially accept his trade in light of his 10-and-5 rights. But Guzman was gone from the Nationals clubhouse, and without confirming the deal, manager Jim Riggleman said the Nationals will play with 24 men tonight.

Adam Kennedy and Alberto Gonzalez will be the biggest beneficiaries of the move; Riggleman said both will get more playing time, and the Nationals will not need to add another middle infielder.