Texas Rangers: Three potential offseason trade pieces
In the midst of a rebuild, check out three players the Texas Rangers could trade for valuable prospects.
There’s no question that the Texas Rangers are beginning a full rebuild. Last season, Texas finished last in the AL West with a 22-38 record. And, based on team statistics, it’s clear the team needs to reload. Texas finished with the worst offense in the AL, averaging 3.73 runs scored per game, 23rd in team ERA (5.02), and 21st in WHIP (1.384).
Last week, the Rangers hired former MLB pitcher Chris Young as the team’s new general manager. Young and the Rangers’ front office kicked off this rebuild just hours later by trading away Lance Lynn. Lynn was considered one of the best starting pitcher options on the trade market, landing with the Chicago White Sox.
In return, the Rangers hauled two pitching prospects in right-hander Dane Dunning and left-hander Avery Weems. Both Dunning and Weems ranked as top-10 prospects in the White Sox organization. While Lynn was one of the better pitchers in the AL the past two seasons, pitching to a 3.57 ERA in Texas, this was a successful haul of prospects.
Lynn’s trade signifies the mark of any good MLB team rebuild. Trade away valuable veterans for a turn of highly-rated prospects.
The Rangers’ front office isn’t dealing with a plethora of big-impact veterans, but check out three potential trades for Texas to continue this rebuild.
Elvis Andrus
In recent news, the Texas Rangers announced that Gold Glove-winning third baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa will have the opportunity to start at shortstop next season. Unfortunately for Elvis Andrus, this likely signifies the beginning of the end of his 12-year run in Texas.
Andrus has spent the entirety of his 12-year MLB career with the Rangers, and this news is rather bittersweet. There’s no question that Andrus holds a special place in the hearts of Rangers fans.
Andrus was once seen as the face of this franchise. In fact, he took over at shortstop 12 years ago for the beloved Ranger, Michael Young. Add in his playful rapport with Adrian Beltre, it was only fitting that Andrus took part in a ceremony to honor the closing of Globe Life Park.
Michael Young to Pudge Rodriguez to Elvis Andrus for the final pitch pic.twitter.com/4zIs8pmYGd
— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) September 29, 2019
Unfortunately for Andrus, there’s also no question that Kiner-Falefa is the future of this franchise. The 32-year-old Andrus is still a plus-defender, pesky contact hitter, and a threat on the basepaths. After a 2020 campaign in which he hit only .194 in 29 games, the value may be lower than it should be.
Still, the Rangers could turn Andrus into multiple prospects for a contending team in need of a veteran shortstop presence. Fortunately for the Rangers, Andrus is a plus-defender at every infield spot. The Oakland Athletics are uncertain about the futures of Marcus Semien and Tommy La Stella, and the New York Yankees may be in need of infield depth.
Joey Gallo
Joey Gallo is one of the best players on the Texas Rangers. Gallo took home the Gold Glove award for his stellar defense in right field and has the potential for light-tower power. Last season was a tough one for the 27-year-old. The right-fielder hit just .181 but still managed to clobber 10 home runs and 26 RBIs.
Rangers fans, don’t worry. Teams would need to offer a monstrous return of prospects in order to pry away Gallo from the Rangers. But with a new general manager in the front office, and in the middle of a full team rebuild, anything is possible, right?
Gallo currently sits in his arbitration period with the Rangers and would not hit unrestricted free agency until 2023. This leaves the Rangers with several options. Of course, they could let him walk in free agency in a few years, but that would be a disastrous option. Texas needs to either sign Gallo to a long-term deal or shop his talents for a bevy of prospects.
From a hitting standpoint, Gallo is a prototypical power hitter in 2020. While the 27-year-old owns incredible power, he is also heavily prone to the strikeout. He struck out around 200 times in each of his two full MLB seasons. However, despite the dismal batting average last season, his strikeout percentage went down.
Surely, teams in need of a power bat will come calling if the Rangers shop his services. The Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals, both in the hunt for the expanded postseason last year, are teams in need of an impactful power bat. Again, Texas only makes this kind of trade if the price is right, but it’s worth exploring.
Jose Leclerc
Jose Leclerc is another Texas Rangers player in an interesting and uncertain position. In 2018, Leclerc was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball, posting a 1.56 ERA in 57 innings and striking out 85 batters. The future seemed very bright for the then-24-year-old.
In 2019, Leclerc took over as the Rangers full-time closer. The 2019 campaign started off great, but after a number of blown saves, Texas opted to use Leclerc as an opener. Eventually, Leclerc righted his ship and returned to the closer role, but the numbers haven’t returned to the 2018 elite level.
He posted a 4.33 ERA in 2019 and then saw only two games of action last year after a muscle tear sidelined the young reliever.
Similar to Joey Gallo, Leclerc is a “price is right” scenario for the Rangers. The right-hander is locked into a contract through 2023-24 when a team option comes into play. But, at just 27-years-old, Leclerc is one of the longest-tenured players in Texas.
Next. Deja vu for Elvis Andrus. dark
The best scenario for Texas is for Leclerc to return to his 2018 form and sign a long-term deal to be the Rangers’ closer of the future. But, again, in the middle of a full rebuild, it doesn’t hurt to see if the price is right elsewhere. The Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, and Seattle Mariners are all contending or close-to-contending teams in need of relief pitching next year.