This time of year is so much fun because the trade deadline is creeping up. Every year I have thrown out deals that never come close to getting done and prove I have no business being in a MLB front office.
I decide this year I would do it a little different. First lets make the move that helps a contender. But then we need to make the corresponding move that benefits the big league club in a year of assessment.
Here we go.
First we need to find a team that is contending and try to fill their needs. That team is the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs haven’t officially decided they are buyers yet, but they never expected to be sitting in second place in the NL Central. They are six games back of the wildcard, so they may not be looking to do anything unless they close the gap. If they do, then they need to make one more run at a title. The Cubs need a starting pitcher and an upgrade at 2B.
Proposed Trade
Rangers send Cubs RHP Kyle Gibson and 2B Nick Solak
Cubs send Rangers RHP Adbert Alzolay, OF Brennan Davis and LHP Justin Steele
Gibson is an obvious upgrade for the rotation. Solak would be an upgrade at 2B and the Rangers have a lot of options to replace him, including the top prospect in the organization who might fit at second better.
The Rangers are now left with two big league positions to fill at starting pitcher and second base. Alzolay slides into rotation left by Gibson. He is also under control until 2027. If it is done before the deadline, second base is now filled by Brock Holt. Charlie Culberson takes over third base full time. That is until they can be moved to another team for anything since they are not a part of the future. If neither can be moved they are DFA’d after trade deadline to evaluate young players.
Rangers also make decisions on Ian Kennedy, David Dahl. Jordan Lyles, Mike Foltynewicz and Joely Rodriguez. Trading Kennedy is very likely, the rest may be casualties of the rebuild. Dahl is most likely to stay if nobody wants him and his game improves with the new sticky stuff rule.
Organization Moves
Once Holt and Culberson are gone the Rangers purchase the contract of 1B Curtis Terry and IF Ryan Dorow from AAA Round Rock. Dorow is now the utility guy in the big leagues. Terry splits time between DH and 1B with Nate Lowe and Andy Ibanez. Dorow fills in at 3B and 2B along with Ibanez until Josh Jung is ready to assume one of those two positions full time.
Josh Jung and Sherten Apostel are promoted to Round Rock after Dorow and Terry are promoted to the big league club. Jung plays 3B and 2B. Apostel takes over 1B.
Sam Huff takes over 1B at Frisco to get AB’s while his knee recovers. Justin Foscue heads to Frisco if healthy and playing well. Davis Wendzel stays at Frisco to take over the infield utility role once healthy.
Starting Lineup October 3rd against Cleveland on the last day of the season.
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa SS
- Nate Lowe/Curtis Terry 1B
- Adolis Garcia CF
- Joey Gallo RF
- Josh Jung 2B
- Willie Calhoun/Curtis Terry DH
- Eli White LF
- Jose Trevino C
- Ryan Dorow 3B
RHP Adbert Alzolay
Heading into the offseason, the Rangers look for help at starting pitching, 3B/SS, an impact OF bat and back end bullpen. (Assuming Jonathan Hernandez and Jose Leclerc aren’t ready) They have the following roster secured.
Rotation: Dane Dunning, Adbert Alzolay, John King, Kohei Arihara, Kyle Cody, (Eventually Cole Winn and possibly Jack Leiter)
Bullpen: Brett Martin, Taylor Hearn, Justin Steele
Catcher: Jose Trevino, Jonah Heim
1B: Nate Lowe, Curtis Terry
2B: Josh Jung, Ryan Dorow
SS: Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Ryan Dorow
3B: FREE AGENT, Ryan Dorow
OF: Joey Gallo, Adolis Garcia, Eli White
DH: Willie Calhoun
Bench: Andy Ibanez, Ryan Dorow
Note: They may still have Foltynewicz and Dahl
Yeah………. I am probably fired
Nerd Out!
