Texas Rangers and the dream trade scenario for Yu Darvish

The latest rumor says the Texas Rangers will deal pitcher Yu Darvish by Monday. So here’s a look at how that move could benefit the team the most.

According to Ken Rosenthal of the MLB Network, the Texas Rangers plan to trade Yu Darvish ahead of Monday’s non-waiver trade deadline. This of course begs several questions of “who?” How can Texas get maximum value in sending off one of the best players to ever take the mound for this franchise? It all depends on what the Rangers get in return.

Step one — Who to trade with?

The reports in the past week have been all over the place. Perhaps this is because Texas Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels plays the proverbial “trade deadline poker game” pretty well. One rumor says the Rangers will hang on to Yu and see what happens in the offseason. The next story reads that they’re shopping him around. The same has gone for the teams involved in trading Darvish.

Washington Nationals

With Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg fighting injuries, they may look to add to what already makes for an outstanding rotation. Yet, Rosenthal reported Thursday morning that the Nationals will not pursue another ace. Instead, they will look to improve the starters by boosting the bullpen.

Colorado Rockies

The Rockies could use some help in their rotation and Darvish would give them a clear upgrade. They sit firmly in the second Wild Card slot with 59 games to go on their schedule. Hard luck starter Kyle Freeland leads their staff with an ERA of 3.64. Considering he pitches at Coors Field makes that a very impressive number.

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Of course, for a trade between Texas and Colorado, Darvish would have to take them off of his no-trade list. Some say it’s odd that he includes the Rockies on that list, but it’s likely due to the altitude and climate. You may not know this, but it gets pretty cold in Denver during the early and later parts of the season.

Not to mention, Darvish would have a really rough time as a pitcher. He already has a propensity to allow the more-than-occasional home run ball. That launch pad in the mountains would just exacerbate that problem even more, killing any chance he has at a great offseason contract.

Los Angeles Dodgers

It’s already been reported for a couple of weeks now that the Dodgers have pursued Darvish fairly heavily. Their ace in Clayton Kershaw has gone down with an injury and there would be a huge luxury in adding Darvish to pitch behind him and Alex Wood.

The acquisition of Yu to their rotation would easily put them up with the Nationals as the best in the National League. To see Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Gio Gonzalez go head-to-head with a rotation of Kershaw, Wood and Darvish would create incredible theater. Honestly that’s why I believe, if the Rangers trade away Darvish, it will be to the Dodgers.

Step two — Who to trade for?

It’s pretty clear that aside from being the best logistical fit for Darvish, the Dodgers also have the most to offer in return. Their minors boast five of MLB.com’s top 100 prospects. That list includes Walker Buehler, Alex Verdugo and Yadier Alvarez. All three have been named in recent talks with the Rangers.

Grabbing two of those guys would qualify as an excellent return in exchange for Darvish. Los Angeles also has right-hander Brock Stewart to offer, although he’s already seen some big league time and pitched well. He may be a little tougher to obtain in the deal, but his presence in the trade should not come as a surprise.

Ideally, the Rangers end up with Verdugo, Alvarez and someone else within the Dodgers farm system that has a little more risk but a high upside. Perhaps “diamond in the rough” corner infielder or catcher like Keibert Ruiz.

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Step three — Who does Darvish sign with in the winter?

This is where the Rangers could blow everyone away. They could come in and make a statement that they’re one of baseball’s biggest, baddest teams out there. If they went and just threw it all on the table to take back Darvish, in the same way the Yankees reclaimed closer Aroldis Chapman this past offseason, others will take notice.

Other teams would see that you “Don’t Mess with Texas.” Players around the league would see that the Rangers are a serious team to consider playing for. Despite playing in a top five media market, most look at Texas as a small-market team. But they have a pretty wealthy ownership group, and while attendance has dropped, it has far from bottomed out.

A move like this would give the Texas Rangers 1) a still-legitimate ace, 2) a great boost to the farm system, 3) some excellent help that’s ready for the big leagues within the next season or two and 4) a great shot at signing Shohei Otani.

Next: Darvish trade imminent, so what else?

If Texas Rangers fans could get their best dream come true scenario, that’s how it would all go down. Rent Darvish off to a contender for the next two months while getting some quality youth via trade. Then, bring Darvish back and put him at the top of the rotation while signing the guy that idolizes him in Otani. You then have a two great arms, a great bat for at least three games each week and some top end prospects to jump in and make this team youthful and talented for the near future. It may not all go down that way, but a man can sure dream, can’t he?