The Texas Rangers have had an extremely active offseason. They’ve signed away more money than any team has ever done in one offseason. Obviously that brings in new players. Now, a 102 loss team that has spent the past few trade deadlines shipping off every one they can and hasn’t had much success in prospects may not have much to offer for the trading block.
That’s not necessarily the case though. With those new additions, Texas has filled multiple spots of the infield. They’ve also added an experienced outfielder and a starting pitcher.
With the expected debuts of Josh Jung, Cole Winn and others, this becomes a crowded roster. It doubly becomes difficult to manage when factoring in any additional offseason acquisitions.
I’ll be taking a look at who the most TRADABLE players are. Not necessarily the most valuable, best or expendable. It’ll be a combination of each of those. Hopefully this gives us a better idea as to who might be the next casualty of these dark times. To start things off, let’s take a look at the fallout of this winters 2 biggest signings.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
This one is actually harder to nail down than expected. With his anticipated spots (3rd, SS, 2nd) taken by newcomers, he’ll need a new home. No the Rangers wont consider moving him back to catcher. Not only does Texas not want that, he doesn’t either. IKF could fill in at 3rd if they want to give Jung some more minor league at bats but that would take Jung having a dreadful spring training. He also has value as a replacement. After all, he did win Gold Glove in the shorted ’20 season for 3rd base and would’ve been a strong candidate for the same award at short stop in ’21. His bat is adequate enough to play. Then there is the injury worry. Corey Seager has yet to play a full season. Semien is a work horse but has lots of miles. There is value in keeping a Swiss army knife player who has been the heart of the team.
The problem is his value. if the Yankees or another SS needy team comes calling and offers a decent package it should be taken. He only has ’22 and ’23 left of team control through arbitration. He isn’t expected to be resigned and there is quite the back log of middle infielders in the minors. IKF is undoubtedly an important piece that any team would love to have. his hustle and flexibility will play in the bigs for years. It’s just that luxury the Texas Rangers can’t afford to hold onto. They aren’t expected to compete in ’22 and he is arguably your most valuable trade asset.
Jose Trevino
This one may come as a bit of a surprise. No it’s not because he’s “not expendable” but because catchers often aren’t valued enough to be traded. There is always an exception such as Pittsburgh sending Jacob Stallings to Miami and maybe that’s something you’ll see. Most likely though Trevino would be part of a package. Trevino is an underrated player but he has major hidden value. He’s a defensive wiz and game caller. Defensively he was one the best in game. He was tied for second in RES (Runs saved from extra strike calls) and 3rd in Strike rate management. He wasn’t an offensive force though with a .233 BA where he developed a .1 WAR. His bat is good enough though to accompany some stellar defense.
The problem is, The person he was tied for 2nd in RES and behind in strike rate was his teammate Jonah Heim. Arlington is also expecting the return of top catching prospect Sam Huff later in 2022. With a defense first catcher and offensive first catcher already on the roster, Trevino and his success becomes expendable. He does comes with 4 years of team control left (counting 3 arbitration years). He isn’t expensive so the Texas Rangers wouldn’t be wrong to hang onto him if Huff needs more time. But with more and more teams using more analytics, someone will call for Trevino and the Texas Rangers should listen.
Taylor Hearn
Yes, Taylor belongs on this list. The Texas Rangers are pitcher needy and could look into signing a second free agent starter. Hearn is also young at only 27 years old to go along with his cheap team control through 2025. So why on earth would Texas move a player that so fits so many needs? Cause other teams will want him to and may come offer a valuable package. Hearn was a revelation for the second half of ’21 as a starter. After a shaky start to his career he was able to find some continuity in the bullpen. Out of necessity, the Ranger brought him back into a starting role where he put up a 4.66 ERA in 11 starts. The performances were better than his ERA and he is a strong candidate to be the 3rd starter currently.
However, with Glen Otto, AJ Alexy, Spencer Howard, and Kolby Allard already rostered to go with the expected signing of another FA and the arrival of Cole Winn, Hearn becomes expendable. Now, the prior mentioned Allard or younger arms may be the ones to find himself on a new roster but Hearn makes the list because of his performance. He would be a major piece in making a trade package more enticing (Reds deal would require a young major league ready arm). The alternative is another team (back to Pittsburgh?) that is up and coming but could use a cheap and controllable piece that could develop into more could be enticing. The main point is, Hearn has earned this spot with his improved performance and another team will see that.
Adolis Garcia
Okay so bear with me here, this is more to do with the state of the current Rangers. Adolis Garcia was a lightning rod and exceptional player…for about half of 2021. Garcia was the player that NOBODY expected. He was designated for assignment by the Cardinals before the trade to the Rangers for cash. He was then designated for assignment again AND out righted. After a dazzling spring training, the Rangers held onto him and finally called him up when Ronald Guzman was injured. He hit 31 home runs and won the TSN rookie of the year award. For a player that is as cheap as he is and was a revelation to find, the Rangers should trade him.
His value has already taken quite a hit. After being considered “immovable” for his positive qualities during his run to the All-Star game, he is now nearly “immovable” because of the flaws that caused him to be DFA’d twice. Over the final 4 months he was 91 for 406 (.224) with 15 home runs. He doesn’t walk like Joey Gallo either to justify his sky high strike out rate. Adolis does play stellar defense in any OF position and is durable, having never landed on the IL. Outfield is a position of need for the Rangers, he is cheap and controllable. There is no need to try and move Garcia, but if a team comes calling or wants him in a trade package, there is not a reason to anchor him.
Honorable Mentions
- Nick Solak
- Willie Calhoun
- John King
- Josh Sborz
- Brett Martin
These players could all find themselves in another teams uniform next year. Fore reasons on injury, poor play or little reason to move on though, they’re more of the secondary trade pieces.
