Texas Rangers Acquire Ben Broussard from Seattle Mariners

12/13/2007, Arlington, Texas -- The Texas Rangers have announced this evening that the club has acquired first baseman Ben Broussard from Seattle in exchange for Minor League infielder Tug Hulett. To make room on the roster for Broussard, the Rangers have designated outfielder Nick Gorneault for assignment.

Broussard, 31, hit .275 with 7 home runs and 29 RBI in 99 games and 240 at-bats for the Mariners in 2007. Primarily a first baseman throughout his career, Broussard also saw action in left field and right field for Seattle. He was born in Beaumont, Texas, attended McNeese State University in Louisiana, and resides in Austin. A veteran of six Major League seasons, he was originally a second round selection by Cincinnati in the 1999 June draft. After coming up through the Reds system, Broussard was acquired by Cleveland in the Russell Branyan trade on June 7, 2002. He played for the Indians from 2002-06 before being traded to Seattle for outfielder Shin-Soo Choo on July 26, 2006.

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Broussard has 3 career pinch-hit grand slams, which is tied for the most in Major League history.

Hulett was the Rangers' 14th round selection in the 2004 June draft and has spent his entire career in the Texas organization. He is still seeking his big league debut, and spent the entire 2007 campaign with Triple-A Oklahoma, batting .275 with 11 home runs, 67 RBI, and 31 doubles in 132 games for the RedHawks. This season was the first in Hulett's pro career in which he had an on-base percentage below .400, as he has averaged a walk every 1.16 strikeouts over four professional seasons.

Gorneault, 28, was acquired by the Rangers on a waiver claim from LA of Anaheim on Oct. 29, as he has yet to appear in a Texas uniform. Gorneault had spent his entire professional career in the Angels organization prior to being claimed by the Rangers. He made his Major League debut in 2007, appearing in 2 games for the Angels during a brief stint in June/July, but spent the bulk of the season with Triple-A Salt Lake. Gorneault batted .261 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI in 128 games for the Bees. The Rangers have 10 days to trade, release, or outright Gorneault to the Minor Leagues.

Source: MLB