It came a week later than many expected, but the Texas Rangers have acquired a much-needed bat in the form of Alex Rios. The "reshaping" Chicago White Sox placed Rios on waivers earlier this week and he was claimed by the Rangers.

The White Sox will send Texas $1 million towards what is left on Rios' contract and receive either a player to be named later or cash considerations in return. Leury Garcia is expected to be the player the Chicago acquires.

The two clubs engaged in discussions prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline, but couldn't come to terms on a deal. If Rios had cleared waivers, the White Sox would have been able to work out a trade with any club. Instead, the Rangers (predictably) claimed Rios and added a bat to their offense without playing a high price.

Chicago had no choice but to negotiate with Texas once they claimed Rios, who is owed $13 million (after the trade) next season and the remainder of his $12 million salary for 2013. He has a $2 million buyout for 2015. The White Sox included $1 million in the deal because a clause in his contract adds $500,000 to his salary for 2014 and his option year (now at $14 million).

Rios hit .277/.328/.421 with 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 465 plate appearances with the White Sox this season. Since the All-Star break, the 32-year-old is hitting .308/.333/.385 with a home run and 15 RBI. The Rangers are hitting .262/.322/.418 as a team in 2013 and their everyday right fielder (Nelson Cruz) was suspended 50 games in the Biogenesis fallout on Monday.

Even with Cruz, who hit .269/.330/.511 with 27 home runs and 76 RBI in 108 games, Texas was struggling (the term is relative in this case) to score runs. After ranking first in runs last season and no lower than fifth over the last three years, the Rangers entered Friday's action ranked tenth.

Adding Rios became even more necessary when Cruz decided against appealing his suspension. They have used a combination of David Murphy, Leonys Martin, Engel Beltre and Joey Butler in right over the last three games. Rios is not only an offensive upgrade, but also has plenty of experience playing in right. Murphy is a capable Major League player, but has looked silly at the position.

Grade for Rangers: A

The Rangers are taking on a significant amount of salary, but that is of little concern. They were able to add a much-needed bat past the trade deadline for a low price. They will assume what Rios is owed through at least 2014 and happily part with Garcia. Jon Daniels has had his eyes on Rios for at least the last month and given Cruz's suspension he is a logical fit. Those that criticized him for not making a move prior to last week's non-waiver deadline didn't realize how eager the White Sox were to continue selling off expensive, veteran parts.

Adam Dunn could be next.

Grade for White Sox: C-

The White Sox no longer to have to pay Rios exorbitant sums of money, but Rick Hahn wasn't able to leverage the outfielder's value on what was (and remains) a thin market for position players. Chicago should have been able to deal Rios, getting a team to take on almost all of his salary while also receiving a more enticing prospect(s) in return.

Rios isn't going to make the Rangers a World Series contender, but consider a move made last July. The New York Yankees acquired Ichiro Suzuki and $2.5 million of his then-expiring contract in exchange for two prospects. One of those players, Danny Farquhar, is now acting as closer for the Seattle Mariners. Rios has more power and is under control for longer than Ichiro, who eventually re-signed with the Yankees.

Garcia, 22, entered 2013 as the No. 20 prospect in the Texas system and Baseball America projects him as a very fast utility infielder with a strong arm. He is .192/.236/.231 in 57 plate appearances for the Rangers this season.

Hahn put too high of a price on Rios last month, then had to make this deal when the Rangers claimed him on waivers this week.