Let’s Make A Deal – Part I: Texas Ranger Trade Ideas

First of all, this is not a part of The Recliner Monologues. I am no longer playing fantasy GM in my lizard brain.

Now, we are going to look at rumors and ideas to improve the second-place Texas Rangers.

Ideas that could help a team capable of the playoffs, reach them and make noise. In order to do this, you need to take into consideration what other teams will do or need.

It is very easy to only look through the eyes of the team you are invested in.

This makes trade ideas favor your team. Although I am sure this will happen sometimes, I want to be completely objective.

I hope to roll these out a couple times a week.

You also have to consider the factors of the new rules in a COVID shortened season. Blockbuster deals are very unlikely until the offseason. So you have to work within the reality of the situation.

Players traded have to be on the 60 man roster being used for teams. This means younger prospects would need to be dealt with as a PTBNL. So that takes the fun out of deadline day.

With that, here we go.

Buyers and Sellers

There are no clear buyers and sellers as of yet. But there is very educated speculation.

Buyers

Any team that is within a game of a wildcard spot, will likely look for a way to improve. (Yes, that obviously includes the Rangers)

Sellers

Right now the most likely candidates to sell are Pittsburg, Seattle & Boston. Others who could become sellers soon, Kansas City, LA Angels, Toronto, Philadelphia, St Louis, Milwaukee, Arizona & San Francisco. (Yes, the Texas Rangers are also on this list)

Needs

There is no point in going over every other team’s needs. So I will only go over the needs of the Rangers and the teams I propose making a deal with.

Texas

Texas needs bats. Preferably at a corner infield position or center field. They also could use another solid bullpen arm that can possibly close games. However, Rafael Montero seems to have grabbed hold of that role. The injury to Edison Volquez could still have them searching for an arm.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Honestly, the Dodgers don’t really need anything. But if they had one position that could use an upgrade at the plate, then maybe second base. They could also use some depth at starting pitching since the opt-out of David Price.

Boston Red Sox

The need to rebuild their farm system with anything they can get their hands on. They are probably looking to unload.

Proposed Deals

Texas would send Nick Solak and Jason Bahr to the LA Dodgers for 3B/1B Edwin Rios.

Rios is blocked at first and third base by Max Muncy and Justin Turner. Solak would be the new second baseman for the Dodgers and all but secure their run at the pennant. That lineup would almost be unstoppable.

Bahr would be depth for their rotation in much the way he is for Texas. Rios is a young corner bat with power and average. He currently is hitting .273 with an OPS of 1.061 and 3 HRs.

Texas would send Scott Heineman or a PTBNL to Boston for OF Kevin Pillar.

Probably a choice out of two or threw lower level prospects for a Pillar rental. The Rangers would have to add the prospect to the alternative site first before shipping him out. Likely someone in the back end of the Top 30 prospects or a high-velocity big upside pitcher.

Pillar would take over in the center field. He could also leadoff. At 31 he is not too old to consider extending a couple of years if he continues to produce.  If they take Heinenman he would add cheap depth to their outfield and potential starter.

New Rangers Lineup

Position changes: First of all Isiah Kiner-Falefa is now the starting second baseman. If Andrus continues to struggle he could slide over to SS. I also have Andrus batting 9th. When Andrus does finally figure things out, he will get on base from the bottom of the lineup. That is needed when rolling into the top of the order.

Lineup

1. Pillar CF
2. Choo DH
3. Frazier 3B
4. Gallo RF
5. Rios 1B
6. Kiner-Falefa 2B
7. Calhoun LF
8. Chirinos/Trevino/Mathis C
9. Andrus SS

Featured Image: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports