Why the Rangers won’t commit to being buyers or sellers anytime soon

The Texas Rangers have recently stated they don’t anticipate any trades (positive or negative) in their future. Here’s why that stance won’t change anytime soon.

The Texas Rangers may be eons behind the Houston Astros in the race for the American League West but that doesn’t mean they’re out of the playoff race completely. As many of us know, the Rangers are neck in neck with over half-a-dozen teams for a wild card spot.

Many speculate that it’s that hope that drives the Rangers and prevents the front office from committing to being buyers or sellers at the deadline. But it’s really much more than that.

Don’t expect the Texas Rangers to be more forthcoming concerning their plans at the trade deadline.

Yesterday we looked at what kind of message it sends the team to declare the Rangers buyers OR sellers. It says you don’t believe in them. It says you either want to give up and trade away assets, or you want to replace them with someone better.

Either way it can have negative consequences on the clubhouse.

Trading Leverage

The element that we didn’t discuss last time is leverage. In any negotiation, leverage is everything. As someone who’s shopped in many Mexican markets, the moment they know you really want something is the moment you lost the negotiation. You need a nonchalant attitude if you want to win the “haggle”.

As such, the Texas Rangers can’t let the rest of the league know they are committed to buying OR selling or else they lose some of their leverage. If the other team has to talk you into the trade, you can run up the value. If you’re the one doing the convincing, you’re losing value.

Jon Daniels said this to on105.3-FM The Fan’s Ben and Skin show:

"“As far as teams calling us and asking on our guys, I really don’t see trading from this club. At the same time, if somebody has the mindset to knock you over and make an offer that absolutely makes sense for the team, we’d be silly not to listen.”"

Jon Daniels is essentially saying he’s prepared to keep his roster as is and see what transpires. That’s a very advantageous position to be in at the deadline. It does not mean that is his actual stance though.

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Daniels and staff would be foolish not to explore trades options with their soon-to-be free agents. Especially if they didn’t think they’d be able to bring them back. If they think they have a good grasp on a wild card spot and/or think they’ll be competitive in the bid to re-sign their pending free agents, then they stand pat.

Next: The Rangers are trying to sign Shohei Otani, How good is he?

Don’t expect the Texas Rangers to be more forthcoming concerning their plans at the trade deadline. They have a unique position right now sitting on the fringe and they’d be foolish to give that position up.