MLB Trade Rumors: Texas Rangers' Top 10 Trade Targets

With the MLB winter meetings set to begin on Monday in Dallas, teams are sure to be floating players, draft picks and salary numbers around faster than Yadier Molina can get to first base. With that in mind, the Texas Rangers have come up as a potential trade partner for several teams, and there are sure to be several others that materialize over the next few weeks.

Here is a list of 10 guys the Rangers might target to bolster the defense of their two-time AL pennant, and the players it might take to get them.

Jair Jurrjens, Atlanta Braves

With prospects Randall Delgado and Julio Teheran on a course to assume positions in a rotation that already includes Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy, Jair Jurrjens has become somewhat expendable.

He has struggled with injury and inconsistency the past couple seasons, and his name will surely be mentioned when the Atlanta Braves look for bullpen help to take the stress off Craig Kimbrel.

For the Rangers, Jurrjens would immediately enter into the rotation, and with the help of Mike and Greg Maddux, who knows what his stuff would be like in Texas.

If the Rangers could offer a couple lower-echelon prospects and a guy like Mark Lowe to help Atlanta's bullpen, this trade could work. 

Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners

I'd call this one a long shot, mainly because the Mariners gave up Cliff Lee to a division rival just two years ago, although they did get some good prospects in return (Justin Smoak, Blake Beavan).

But lightning rarely strikes twice, and I'd find it hard to believe that Seattle would be willing to part with the only player who has made them relevant since Ichiro became the right-fielder in the early 2000s.

However, it won't hurt Texas to ask, especially with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox likely to get in on any conversations regarding sending Hernandez to another team.

It will likely take the farm to get him, but there are few talents that sparkle like King Felix does when he takes the mound. For goodness sake, he won the Cy Young with a 13-12 record on a team not anywhere close to the playoffs.

Denard Span, Minnesota Twins

Let's face facts: The Minnesota Twins had a horrible season in 2011. They got limited production from their best two hitters in Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, and their pitching performances left much to be desired.

Those facts present, consider the possibility that Minnesota decides it's time to rebuild. The AL Central is one of the most competitive in baseball, and even the Kansas City Royals find themselves in the preseason thicket of things with their moves so far.

Ben Revere played well patrolling center field for the Twins, and if they decide Span has become somewhat of a last man out, the Rangers could make a play and make him their middle man until prized prospect Leonys Martin is ready for full-time action.

The Twins would probably want corner-outfield help, and a couple of pitching prospects. Engel Beltre and Tanner Scheppers might get the job done, and if not the Rangers could sweeten the deal as necessary.

Jeremy Guthrie, Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles and Rangers have been partnering up quite frequently over the past few years, most recently in a deal that sent Taylor Teagarden to Baltimore.

Why not make Guthrie the next target? He's 31, a seasoned veteran as soon as he comes to Texas, and an inning-eater in the good sense of the word. Pitching in more than 175 innings the past five seasons, he's shown consistency and gut on a team that hasn't been anything more than a September spoiler.

What would Baltimore want to make it happen? If they wanted any high-level prospects, I imagine the Rangers would balk and walk away. But if Scheppers and Julio Borbon would do the trick, I can see the Rangers thinking long and hard about bringing Guthrie to town.

Emilio Bonifacio, Miami Marlins

Bonifacio is 26, and played six different positions for the Marlins last season. He actually played double-digit games at every position except second base.

He is the ultimate utility guy, and one that the Marlins wouldn't want to part with for just anything. But with rumors swirling about Jose Reyes and Albert Pujols taking their talents to South Beach, where would he fit?

His primary position is shortstop, and he filled in admirably during Hanley Ramirez's stint on the DL, but he played the next-most games in the outfield, and could fill the role of Endy Chavez/Andres Blanco but with a higher upside.

The Rangers could make a play here, but if the Marlins decide to save Bonifacio for a rainy day, the next guy on this list could be another option.

Chris Coghlan, Miami Marlins

If the Marlins say no to Bonifacio, the Rangers could inquire about Coghlan, the left-handed hitting outfielder seemingly stuck in neutral in Florida.

Coghlan has yet to regain the form of his rookie season, when he hit .321 with nine home runs and 47 RBI in 128 games. His production has steadily decreased each year, and with an influx of free-agent talent and prospects waiting, his chances will be limited come April.

Enter the Rangers, who could be a perfect change of scenery for the former first-round pick. They also have an outfielder who could probably use a change in Julio Borbon, and a straight-up swap could help both guys revamp their careers in a new city.

Gavin Floyd, Chicago White Sox

Floyd would be in the mold of Jeremy Guthrie for the Rangers, but with better stuff and statistics from a team that was relevant at one time.

He has hovered around 200 innings, 150 strikeouts and an ERA of 4.00 for the past four seasons, which aren't bad statistics, and would fare well in the Rangers' high-octane offense.

The White Sox are about to be in full-time rebuilding mode, much like the Minnesota Twins, and would most likely require young prospects and one major-league level talent.

Let's get real—the White Sox traded their manager away this offseason. They are open to anything.

Matt Garza, Chicago Cubs

Theo Epstein is trying to sweep Matt Garza rumors under the rug, but the fact remains: Epstein needs to cut payroll to sign big-time free agents. Getting rid of Garza would rid the club of $10 million in salary, and open the door for the Epstein era to begin in Chi town on his terms, with his players.

But as it goes working with Theo, the Rangers would have to break the bank to bring the ace to the Metroplex. A package including major leaguers Mitch Moreland and David Murphy, and minor leaguers Martin Perez and Tanner Scheppers, would most likely be the asking price for Garza.

Would that kind of deal be worth it for the Rangers? Knowing they have leverage over most teams due to recent success and an ever growing farm system, my guess is the Rangers have real interest in Garza, but would walk away from any package that included more than one major-leaguer and one from the minors.

John Danks, Chicago White Sox

Rangers fans of old remember the old "DVD" trio of John Danks, Edinson Volquez and Thomas Diamond. None of those three are still with the big league club, although Volquez netted the Rangers some guy named Josh Hamilton.

Rectifying the mistake they made by trading Danks for Brandon McCarthy could be in the back of the minds of the Rangers brass as they mull over their options.

Danks is a front-line starter, and his last four seasons he has put up impressive numbers across the board. Although this year he was only 8-12 with a 4.33 ERA, his potential is still very high.

As I noted with Gavin Floyd, the White Sox are in fire-sale mode. Their rotation could include every guy from last season, or it could include none of those guys.

For the Rangers, if they were able to send a major-league talent (Craig Gentry) and a minor-league prospect (Scheppers, Cody Eppley), the White Sox might be inclined to give Danks a fresh start in a new city. If that comes to fruition, Danks could erase the bad memories from the McCarthy days in Arlington.

James Shields, Tampa Bay Rays

Shields is the prize the Rangers will most likely covet come Dec. 5. He has an incredible change-up, he pitches with passion and the Rangers have had to face him in the postseason two straight years, meaning they know exactly what kind of starter they would be getting.

While Garza would likely taking a myriad of prospects and current roster guys Jon Daniels wouldn't be willing to part with, Shields would be worth every penny and player required to make him the opening day starter come April 2012.

Mitch Moreland, David Murphy, Cody Eppley and Tanner Scheppers would be my guess as the Rangers try to pry Shields from a team that won't be able to pay him come free agency. I highly doubt the Rangers would include Martin Perez or Jurickson Profar in this deal, but if they did, they would show just how highly they regard Shields in the front office.

Out of these candidates, Shields seems to be the best bet to run out to the mound for the Rangers come 2012. It will be interesting to see what other rumors and players the Rangers find themselves in the middle of come winter-meeting time next week.