Texas Rangers: Top Three Trade Deadline Candidates

Well… it looks like the Texas Rangers are going to sell at the trade deadline.

Over the past eight games, the Texas Rangers season has completely fallen apart, as they have lost all eight of those games, and are sitting at 10-17 after being swept by the Seattle Mariners.

Now that the team is seven games under .500, and sitting 3.5 games back of the final wild card spot, they should for sure look to be selling away just about everyone at the trade deadline.

In today’s article, we are going to look at who I think are the three most likely players to be traded as the August 31st trade deadline rapidly approaches.

Texas Rangers Trade Candidate No. 1

Lance Lynn

Lynn has been sensational for the team this year. He has by far been the brightest spot on the team, as well as legitimate Cy Young contender.

Through six starts this season, Lynn has posted a 3-0 record with a 1.37 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 39.1 innings, only allowing 20 hits on the year, as well.

I’m not 100% sure if the team is going to actually be looking to trade Lynn at the deadline. It would more than likely be in the club’s best interest to move Lynn now, rather than wait and risk him falling off in 2021 (like Mike Minor has this season).

And on top of that, the team should be able to get a very nice haul for Lynn if traded, as the team that acquires him will not only be receiving a Cy Young candidate for 2020, but they will also have him back in 2021 as well, for a little over $9.3 million.

I’m not going to say that the Rangers are going to get Cole Hamels prospects (even though most of the guys they gave for Hamels didn’t pan out), but they could see a return similar to what they gave up for Hamels at that time, as I think Lynn is going to be highly sought after in the next week.

Texas Rangers Trade Candidate No. 2

Todd Frazier

The Toddfather has been playing well for the Rangers as well this season, hitting .256 with 2 home runs and a .340 OBP on the year.

Although Frazier won’t be able to garner a huge prospect haul, the Texas Rangers should be able to get a decent prospect haul for him from a team needing a corner infielder or DH.

Another perk for the team that gets him is that he is only owed $1.5 million for next season, which would be if the team buys him out of the contract, or they can keep him for just $4.25 million more.

My expectation on what Frazier would bring in for the team would be something like a player to be named later, or Taylor Hearn-like guy.

Texas Rangers Trade Candidate No. 3

Mike Minor

I’m not really sure what team would want Minor at this point, with his ugly 0-5 record and 6.75 ERA across 6 starts, but just last season he was an All-Star, so there may be a team out there that views him as a project that they can potentially turn around after the trade deadline.

I really wanted to list another player, but all of the older players that the Rangers have are either hurt, or doing horribly. And by default, I made Minor the winner for being the best looking player that has been horrible this year, due to his 2019 season.

A compelling argument could also be made for Joely Rodriguez here, but I am going to stick with Minor, because I think the team is going to try to move him due to wanting to let younger players receive more opportunities to get starts.