Rangers trade rumors: Neal Cotts claimed on revocable waivers by unnamed team

Texas Rangers' left-hander Neal Cotts has been claimed on revocable waivers by an unnamed team, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman. Cotts' waiver period expired yesterday, so now having been claimed, it appears that the Rangers will have until sometime tomorrow to work out a deal with the claiming club.

It was somewhat of a surprise that Cotts was not dealt at last month's non-waiver trade deadline, as it is apparent that he holds little value to the last-place Rangers. As Heyman mentions, he could have helped numerous contending clubs, and a number of them are likely to have placed a claim on Cotts in the past couple days. The Detroit Tigers figure to be the most obvious match, and with their recent slide down the standings, they have put themselves in a better position on the waiver order.

The 34-year-old Cotts comes rather cheaply, making just $2.2 million this season, and scheduled to become a free agent in the fall. In 59 appearances this season, he has a 3.48 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 9.6 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, and 1.0 WAR, and is also on pace to set a career high in innings pitched. While his production has (expectedly) fallen off from an outstanding 1.11 ERA/1.8 WAR season last year, he remains a valuable relief option.