The Texas Rangers pulled off a massive trade sending Elvis Andrus to the Oakland A’s for slugging outfielder Khris Davis.
(in the voice of an infomercial) But wait, there’s more!
Texas is sending the A’s $13.5 million to cover part of his remaining contract plus minor league catcher Aramis Garcia. The A’s are sending the Rangers two prospects in catcher Jonah Heim and RHP Dane Acker.
Photo: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY SportsIt may shock many fans as Andrus was the only player remaining from the back-to-back World Series teams. But there was no denying that his offense has declined over the past couple of years. Hopefully, a change of scenery will do him good. I’ll miss him, but it was the right thing to do.
This move both solves and creates issues. The Rangers had previously announced that Isiah Kiner-Falefa would assume full-time duties at shortstop and that Andrus would be moved to third. It was also believed that, with the signing of outfielder David Dahl, Nick Solak would move to second base relegating Rougned Odor to a bench/super-utility role.
Two questions arise now…
What happens at third base? Is that Odor’s job to win?
The outfield will now consist of Davis, Leody Taveras, and Joey Gallo. So what happens to Dahl? Wait that makes three questions. One would assume that Dahl will move to the DH slot. That also begs another question. Texas acquired the first baseman Nate Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays. He is going to compete with Ronald Guzman for the starting job. He was also expected to DH as well.
So, does Texas move Lowe or Guzman plus Odor in a trade package to get (the much-rumored) Trevor Story?
By doing that, the Rangers could move Kiner-Falefa back to third and have a legitimate all-star player at short. Dreams are fun.
Always I was not too fond of Khris Davis when we played the A’s. As my great friend J.T. said when we discussed his home run average: “He hits ten alone against us.” At least that’s what it felt like.
Now we get to see him crush against other teams in our uniform.
Chalk one up for new G.M. Chris Young.
Featured Image: Tim Heitman/USA TODAY Sports
