The Rangers are exploring a variety of possible routes at the upcoming July trade deadline, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. They will approach the deadline neither as traditional buyers nor as traditional sellers, and will instead focus on players capable of helping both now and next season, GM Jon Daniels tells Wilson.
“Most of the players we’ve talked about acquiring are multi-year fits, most but not all,” says Daniels. “From an acquisition standpoint, it’s almost more of guys that could fit now but also could fit into a likely off-season plan.”
Nonetheless, the Rangers aren’t yet ready to give up on their season. “We’re realistic about where we are, but we still believe in the team. We’ve got a run in us,” Daniels says.
One player who could fit into the Rangers’ current plans is Cole Hamels, who would help the rotation in 2016, when Yovani Gallardo and Colby Lewis might be gone due to free agency. Wilson suggests, though, that in order for there to be a trade, the Phillies would have to cover a significant chunk of the remainder of Hamels’ contract and would have to accept a return that does not include top young players Joey Gallo or Nomar Mazara. The Rangers could also target Padres starters James Shields and Andrew Cashner as pitchers who could help the team beyond 2015.
Perhaps such moves are unlikely, however. “There’s also a chance we’re boring and don’t do much,” Daniels says. Daniels also notes that the Rangers aren’t close to trading Gallardo despite his impending free agency.
Much remains up in the air, though, and the Rangers’ performance in the coming days could help shape their strategy. The Rangers are 46-49 and well back of both the Angels and Astros in the AL West. They’re 5.5 games behind the Twins for the second AL Wild Card spot. If the Rangers were to lose additional ground in the coming days, that might point them in the direction of trading Gallardo in particular.
Trading Gallardo could be tricky, however, for reasons that go beyond the standings. As FanGraphs’ Dave Cameron wrote yesterday, there’s a high number of starting pitchers potentially available this week. The qualifying also offer creates a potential disincentive to selling. It’s unclear whether the Rangers would extend Gallardo a qualifying offer if they kept him — as Cameron suggests, it’s probably a close call. If they did, though, it could potentially help them patch their rotation for next season.
Whichever team is cheap enough to settle for Gallardo is in for a rude awakening.
He has a top ten era in the AL. He’s pitching for a contract. I think a contending team especially a team like the Dodgers or Cubs would get good value from him for the rest of the season. I wouldn’t touch him in free agency though.
Maybe a 3 team Trade where the Rangers give some of what the Phil’s want for Hamels and another team others. Another starter on the block gets moved today.
Considering how deep the trade market is for starting pitchers this summer, they may be better off just hanging on to Gallardo and protecting that relationship. Then, when the equally flooded winter market for starting pitching comes along, they can leverage that relationship and maybe hang on to him at a team-friendly rate.
This team doesn’t need expensive veteran pitchers. The idea that were just going to get healthy and reload for next year is ridiculous. We need to rid our roster of over paid and underperforming players and continue drafting and developing young talent. We are not a Cole Hamels away from contending.
No you’re not just a Cole Hamels away from contending. However, adding Cole Hamels gets you a lot closer to contending. If you are just waiting for a time when one player is going to push your team over the top, then you better settle in for a lot of losing years in the time being. I can’t stand the terms “buyers” and “sellers” because they imply teams have to fall into those two black and white categories. If the Dodgers trade Puig, that doesn’t make them sellers. If the Rangers acquire Hamels that doesn’t necessarily make them buyers. However, both moves could potentially make each team better.
It just doesn’t make any sense to move multiple young controllable players for a pitcher that goes out there every 5th day. Too many holes to fill to give away multiple players. You make a deal for Hamels to put you over the top. Even then I’m not totally on board. The key to consistent success is to follow the Giants, Cardinals, Royals, Astros, Pirates mold of drafting and developing. Making moves for a big name rarely pan out in your favor.
How have the Astros had consistent success? This is their first year in a long time to be above five hundred, and even then, it isn’t a guarantee that they can keep it up the rest of the year since they easily could turn into the 2014 Braves or Brewers.
Your first two sentences don’t really go together. Either the Rangers are going to get healthy and reload naturally for next year (which you say is ridiculous) OR the Rangers need significant help, which typically comes in the form of more expensive veteran pitchers.
80% of the guys lined up for the 2016 rotation will be coming off an injury: Darvish, Holland, Perez, and Harrison. I like the idea of keeping Gallardo, but I like the idea of acquiring Hamels, keeping Gallardo, and moving Harrison more.
doesnt seem like a fit. wouldnt make any sense for phils to trade hamels, eat money, and not get top players in return.
Phillirs problem is they get too fixated on those top one or two prospects.
Rangers could still give them a very good return centered around Nik Williams and Jorge Alfaro
I’m fine with Gallo being off limits, but if I’m Phillies, I don’t do a deal with including money unless Mazara is in the deal.
Agreed. It seems like every team nowadays wants money kicked into a trade and to not give up top prospects. Good luck getting any good player that way. Ya gotta give to get.