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Texas Rangers, Say It Ain’t So: Trading Adrian Beltre

By Jared Pelham Stuart

ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 18: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 18: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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ST PETERSBURG, FL – APRIL 18: Adrian Beltre #29 of the Texas Rangers looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 18, 2018 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Philadelphia Phillies

This is where things start to get weird. The Phillies? Adrian Beltre? Playoffs? Pennants?

It’s officially Memorial Day, which means we officially have to start respecting the standings. If the season ended today, Philadelphia would secure the first Wild Card spot, leaving the Cubs, Mets, and Dodgers at home until 2019. 

Of course, the season doesn’t end today, but make no bones about it, the Philles appear to be for real. Maikel Franco has rebounded from a terrible 2017, putting up respectable numbers at the dish and playing slightly less-than-respectable defense at third base. Franco has always been a bit of a question mark at the hot corner, seemingly destined for first base, or, worse, for a permanent DH spot in the American League.

Much like in the Hamels discussions, the Phillies have a wealth of young pitching — it’s just a matter for Texas of trying to find the surest thing.

Franco has played first base in his career…nine times, to be exact, but Philly has Carlos Santana there now. Santana is off to an awful start to his Phillies career, but one has to think if he gets benched, Rhys Hoskins would come back from left field to his natural position. 

Beltre-to-the-Phillies would take some creativity on the part of Gabe Kapler, but it’s not out of the question. And, ultimately, if July rolls around and Santana and/or Franco haven’t heated up, a player like Beltre might become a necessity, if the Phils are to keep their dreams alive. 

Tom Eshelman and Dylan Cozens might be good places to start for the Rangers, and, if Philadelphia would bite, it wouldn’t hurt, any, to ask about righties Adonis Medina and Franklyn Kilome.

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Much like in the Hamels discussions, the Phillies have a wealth of young pitching — it’s just a matter for Texas of trying to find the surest thing. Outfielder Adam Haseley (first round, 2017) might be a wild card, as the Phils outfield seems to be filling up for the future. 

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