 On August 14, he was traded to the Texas Rangers for future Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry.Clay stepped into Perry's spot in the Rangers' starting rotation, and went 2-3 with a 4.60 ERA his only season in Texas.He was part of a blockbuster deal during the Winter meetings when he, Richie Zisk, Brian Allard, Rick Auerbach, Jerry Gleaton and minor leaguer Steve Finch were sent to the Seattle Mariners for Larry Cox, Rick Honeycutt, Willie Horton, Mario Mendoza and Leon Roberts.