MLB Trade Talk: 10 Deals the Texas Rangers Should Make
Losing six out of eight—and 10 out of your last 14 contests—will trigger some alarms, even if you are the defending American League Champs. For seven straight games, vs. Seattle and Oakland, it seemed as if the Rangers just could not get the big hit. Then, on Sunday vs. the Yankees, the bullpen tossed what amounted to late inning batting practice in a 12-5 loss.
Still, at the moment there is no reason to panic. Neftali Feliz is back to offer some solidarity to a reeling bullpen and the rest of the Rangers M.A.S.H. unit appears to be on the verge of emptying, with the impending returns of Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Tommy Hunter and Brandon Webb.
In reality, sitting at 18-17 despite the absence of five of their most important players is a notable achievement within itself—regardless of the past two weeks. Re-introducing Hamilton and Cruz to the lineup should have an instant impact on offensive production. The same can be said for the return of Tommy Hunter, coupled with the long anticipated arrival of Brandon Webb to the rotation.
Much like last year, Texas should be in a position where one deadline deal can provide the push needed to make a run at the World Series. Here are 10 such possibilities...
Joe Nathan, RP, Minnesota Twins
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Nathan opened 2011 in the familiar role of closer for the Minnesota Twins. But after back-to-back blown saves in April, he was replaced by Matt Capps.
The 36-year old Texas-native appears to be winding it down after 10 years in the big leagues. But, he has shown on more than one occasion that he still has something left in the tank and could become an extremely valuable asset for the Rangers bullpen down the stretch.
Kevin Slowey, P, Minnesota Twins
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After a stellar—albeit abbreviated—2009 and a very solid 2010, Slowey found himself in the bullpen to start this season.
Considering Minnesota’s struggles, and Slowey’s reduced role, the 27-year-old right-hander could be available. That is a play that the Rangers would be well served to make.
His versatility offers numerous possibilities for a team with an inconsistent starting rotation, and an aging bullpen.
Grady Sizemore, CF, Cleveland Indians
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If the Indians early season success tapers off, and that seems likely, Grady Sizemore could be among the most prized possessions on the market.
The Rangers appear to have a great deal of depth in the outfield, but with Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz on the disabled list, they currently have an every day reminder of how quickly things can change.
If Sizemore is available for the right price, Texas seemingly has to make a move.
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John Danks, SP, Chicago White Sox
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Danks has somehow managed to remain winless in his first seven starts. He is 0-5, but with a 3.83 ERA. The Sox have averaged 1.6 runs in his five decisions.
A change in scenery would surely be exactly what the doctor ordered for Danks. And, the more Chicago loses, the more likely it becomes that he and many others may become available.
He would make an excellent acquisition for a team that could immediately plug him into that third or fourth slot in the rotation.
Derek Lowe, SP, Atlanta Braves
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Lowe transformed into a post-season ace for Atlanta last season, posting a 1.17 ERA, and a 5-0 record, over the course of 30.1 innings. Contrary to what his 2-3 record suggests, he is off to a very solid start in 2011, as well.
The Braves need help offensively, and with the emergence of Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens, they can also count two pitchers who are capable of standing toe-to-toe with any team’s ace. Moving Lowe for some offense makes sense for the Braves. Moving some offense for Lowe makes sense for the Rangers.
Carlos Beltran, CF, New York Mets
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The Mets, as a franchise, are in shambles right now. Beltran becomes a free agent this winter and it appears highly unlikely that New York will be in a position to resign him.
Consequently, it is a virtual certainty that he’s moving before July 31.
Think, Cliff Lee: Part II.
Texas has the pieces to rent Beltran for the stretch run. If things go well, perhaps he re-signs and finishes his career as a Ranger. Perhaps not. Either way, there are few hitters in baseball with an October track record as impressive as Carlos Beltran. With apologies to Julio Borbon, adding Beltran instantly improves an already strong Texas offense.
Mark Buehrle/Jake Peavy, SP, Chicago White Sox
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In case you’ve missed it, the White Sox are currently the worst team in Major League Baseball. They also have the fifth largest payroll in Major League Baseball. The seemingly inevitable result is a fire sale. Peavy (who has spent the majority of his White Sox career on the DL) and Buehrle are the two highest paid players on the team.
The Texas rotation has been it’s Achilles heel in 2011. A deal for Buehrle or Peavy could prove every bit as beneficial as the Cliff Lee acquisition from a year ago.
Make no mistake; Buehrle is clearly the preference here. Since 2001 he has been among the most consistently solid pitchers in Major League Baseball. Additionally, Peavy has been on the DL—again—for right rotator cuff tendinitis, likely the result of his rushed comeback from a latissimus dorsi muscle tear from a year ago.
But, Buehrle is a fan favorite in Chicago and a favorite of manager Ozzie Guillen. He also has a no-trade clause and may not be willing to move even if he is available. With he and Peavy combining for approximately $30 million in annual salary, though, it seems probable that one of the two will be.
And, if it’s Peavy, a team like the Rangers could benefit from taking a chance.
Heath Bell, RP, San Diego Padres
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Once again, Heath Bell is the subject of trade rumors surrounding the San Diego Padres.
Through May 8, the San Diego closer has posted a 1.38 ERA and seven saves and has been nothing short of automatic. But, he may be worth more to the offensively challenged Padres as trade bait for another bat, or two.
If Texas is serious about moving Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation, pursuing a pitcher like Heath Bell makes a lot of sense. Bell becomes a free agent this winter, but Texas could lock him up before he ever hit the market.
They could then choose to move Feliz to the rotation in-season—though that seems unfavorably unorthodox—or, the Rangers could use Bell in a set up role for the duration of this season. Thus, shortening games by two innings and bolstering a mediocre bullpen considerably.
Prince Fielder, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers
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The Brewers were a trendy pre-season World Series pick. So, the odds of Prince Fielder going anywhere this season seemed slim. But, Prince becomes a free agent this winter, Milwaukee is struggling to stay around .500, and the unlikelihood of resigning him should be beginning to set in for Brewers management.
Texas has the pieces necessary to make such a deal. But, more importantly, the Rangers would be able to sign him to an extension. Mitch Moreland is a decent player, but given the opportunity to replace him with Prince Fielder, The Express wouldn’t be able to pull the trigger fast enough.
How’s this for a lineup?:
1) Ian Kinsler, 2B
2) Elvis Andrus, SS
3) Josh Hamilton, LF
4) Prince Fielder, 1B
5) Adrian Beltre, 3B
6) Michael Young, DH
7) Nelson Cruz, RF
8) Yorvit Torrealba, C
9) Julio Borbon, CF
Felix Hernandez, SP, Seattle Mariners
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Some big names will undoubtedly move before July 31.
Jose Reyes, Prince Fielder, and Grady Sizemore could be among them. But, there is no bigger name out there than that of Felix Hernandez, and even with the slow starts (see: Elvis Andrus, Adrian Beltre, and Nelson Cruz) and the overcrowded disabled list (see: Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz), the Texas offense has remained among the most potent in Major League Baseball.
It is pitching, once again, that is the unquestioned need for the Rangers heading into the summer months. Grabbing Seattle’s ace worked out pretty well for Texas last season. Repeating that procedure in 2011 would trump that, and any other in-season trade in recent memory.
The Mariners were so bad a season ago, that King Felix won the Cy Young with a 13-12 record. They have very little in the way of offensive support, and the majority of their lineup is well beyond their prime.
Trading Felix for multiple prospects and building around Michael Pineda and Justin Smoak makes some sense for them. At least, that’s the angle I would play if I were the Rangers.
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