
MLB Trade Scenarios: 3 Texas Rangers Who Should Not Be Traded
It's only the beginning of May, and teams are already spreading the trade flu. Some squads have lost players for the season or are in need of a boost that to give them an edge over division rivals.
The Texas Rangers are in that group.
The season has not started all that great, and injuries to Alexi Ogando, Tommy Hunter, Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz have made an invincible Texas team feel vulnerable.
I will not focus on the obvious players who shouldn't be traded, but there are three in particular who have drawn interest from other clubs. A trade involving one of these players would be a mistake. Read on for more.
CJ Wilson
1 of 3
Why would the ace of the staff be mentioned in this list? Simply for one big concern some people have—he will be a free agent after this season.
This reliever turned starter made a big jump last year going into the rotation, increasing his value in the process. He was solid in last year's playoffs and should dominate again if the Rangers are fortunate enough to play again this October.
The Rangers simply cannot afford to trade their ace.
Is it likely Wilson will leave after this season? Possibly, but I expect him to re-sign. He won't demand Cliff Lee-like money, and no team out there will offer it to him if their heads are on straight.
Letting him go to another team would devastate their chances of repeating as American League champs.
Mitch Moreland
2 of 3
Moreland got his break after the Lee trade that sent first-base prospect Justin Smoak to the Seattle Mariners. He's been described as a rough and tough pure raw baseball player—and that is what he's been proven to be.
His value has skyrocketed during the beginning of the season, making him a possible trade option.
This really isn't what the Rangers need, especially when you look at their options. Chris Davis could fill in for Moreland, but he has been hovering between AAA and the big leagues since his debut. Confidence in Davis has been at a low point recently, and if his batting average slides below .200, it will inspire little hope for the playoffs.
Another option would be to start Mike Napoli at first base, but this would require another catcher on the roster, which would be Taylor Teagarden at the present time. Even then, most people would rather have Davis on the team than Teagarden.
Michael Young
3 of 3
The unanimous face of the franchise requested a trade this offseason, but he is still proving to be a valuable hitter for the Rangers. After the recent changes made to the lineup by Ron Washington, Young is hitting cleanup while posting a batting average in the mid .300s.
The Rangers should accept any offer that wows them for Young, but if he's the top-producing player at a time when Hamilton and Cruz are injured, it makes no sense to trade him.
The Rangers certainly think they are a contender, so there's no reason to throw in the towel unless they really believe it's necessary.

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