This deadline the Rangers are looking to get better this year and going forward. That’s why I’ve compiled three trades that make the Rangers better now and going forward without completely draining the Farm System.
Step 1: Trade Yovani Gallardo to the Dodgers
The return on this investment is a choice of catchers, Austin Barnes or Kyle Farmer, and a choice of Relievers, Josh Ravin or Daniel Coulombe. Barnes is currently the Dodgers backup catcher while Farmer is starting everyday in AA for Tulsa. Ravin is a hard throwing righty and Coulombe is a lefty specialist that the club could use this season. Both relievers are MLB ready and pitching at AAA Oklahoma City.
Step 2: Acquire Andrew Cashner from the Padres
You just traded a Starter so now you need to replace him. Cashner is a year younger than Gallardo and is under control for two more seasons. He’s also a local kid, having played his college ball at TCU. For Cashner, the Rangers offer the Padres CF Leonys Martin, Low A 2B Travis Demeritte and their pick of one of the following pitchers from AAA Round Rock, Jared Eickhoff, Luke Jackson, or Alec Asher and AA Pitcher Jose Leclerc.
Step 3: Acquire Cole Hamels from the Phillies
This is the prize of the Trade Deadline. Cole Hamels will cost the farm if you want the Phillies to eat a large sum of money but it would be worth it. A package of C Jorge Alfaro, the Rangers #2 prospect along with #4 prospect SP Jake Thompson is a start. Add in a few players that can play in Philadelphia now like SS Hanser Alberto, OF Michael Choice and UT Ryan Rua and maybe this gets done.
Final Thoughts: Why it works
Making the deal for a catcher with the Dodgers is key because it makes trading the #1 catching prospect expendable. Austin Barnes is ready now and would be a upgrade over Robinson Chirinos going into next year.
Giving up young arms is never easy but adding Hamels and Cashner to a rotation that would have a healthy Yu Darvish, Martin Perez, and Derek Holland is just nasty. Not to mention you still would have Nick Martinez and Chi Chi Gonzalez in AAA. The addition of Josh Hamilton, the rise of Joey Gallo, and the expected return of Jurickson Profar have left Ryan Rua without a position.
Let me know your thoughts here or on twitter: @geoffrey_craig
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