Rangers utilityman Danny Santana has been one of the most surprising success stories of the 2019 season. Santana’s career began with a flourish as a member of the Twins in 2014, but he then performed terribly over parts of the next four seasons divided between Minnesota and Atlanta. Booted from the Braves’ 40-man roster last year, Santana caught on with the Rangers on a minor league contract over the winter.
Since the Rangers promoted Santana to the majors in the middle of April, the switch-hitting speedster has slashed .316/.346/.567 (128 wRC+) with 14 home runs, 12 steals and 2.0 fWAR in 281 plate appearances. Despite Santana’s best efforts, including a three-hit, six-RBI showing in a win over the Athletics on Thursday, the Rangers have backslid in recent weeks after looking like contenders for a while. The club’s still a decent 53-51 overall, but at five games behind wild-card position, rallying for a playoff spot probably isn’t realistic.
The Rangers’ place in the standings could influence them to sell by Wednesday’s deadline, and the 28-year-old Santana has come up as a speculative trade candidate. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported last weekend Santana has drawn interest from other teams, but that’s vague. There was no specification as to whether talks had gotten serious with anyone. Well, now we have an answer. According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas has “heard from only a few teams” in regards to Santana, and it hasn’t “seriously engaged any club in trade talks” for him.
With the Rangers set to open a new ballpark in 2020, when perhaps they’ll be better equipped to contend, Santana could stay as an important part of their roster going forward. As Wilson notes, although Santana has little third base experience, it’s possible he’ll take over as the Rangers’ starter there next season for Asdrubal Cabrera, who’s set to become a free agent. Otherwise, Santana may continue to function as the Rangers’ version of a Swiss Army knife. Thus far in Texas, he has totaled between five and 35 appearances at all three outfield spots and every infield position but third.
Not only has Santana been terrific at the plate and extraordinarily versatile in the field, but he has done it for a league-minimum salary. Santana also won’t rake in a ton next year via arbitration, and he’ll still be controllable for another season after that.
While Santana’s affordable control counts as a reason to keep him, it could likewise be an argument for the Rangers to cash him in for a rich return during the upcoming week. There’s also the fact that we’ve been down a familiar road with Santana in the past. His stellar rookie-year production came in spite of an ugly K/BB ratio and an unsustainable .405 batting average on balls in play. Santana’s K/BB issues have worsened since then – he has fanned 28.5 percent of the time and drawn walks at a meager 3.9 percent clip – while his BABIP (.401) is once again flying way too close to the sun and sure to plummet.
It’s clearly going to be difficult for Santana to continue to perform anywhere near this well as a hitter. At the same time, though, his Statcast profile shows he has made legitimate strides this season. Santana’s .335 expected weighted on-base average does pale in comparison to his .386 real wOBA, but it’s nothing to scoff at coming from an inexpensive player who can line up all over the diamond. The positives outweigh the negatives in the estimation of the Rangers, who seem content to keep Santana.
I don’t care how much the Rangers have engaged in others teams
Santana is not pulling anything major in a trade by himself
They are better off adding him to a Minor or Lynn to maximize a return
Every team could use a Swiss Army knife type of player might as well get what you can while he is on the top of his game
That could be a gamble then. Yes, trading him now MIGHT maximize his value, if he declines. However, they could keep him for another 2 years and just play him. If nobody is coughing up much for him this trade deadline, then keep him and wait for when his value is higher. There’s no need to attach him to Minor or Lynn if the difference is getting a lottery pick. He’s worth more than that
5 games out with 2 months to play isn’t realistic? Man you guys are such defeatists. The Indians have made up about 9 games in a month. I hope you are never in a tough situation because I have a feeling that some of you guys would not be able to persevere.
The Rangers aren’t the Indians. The Indians won their division last year and were expected to win their division this year. The Indians also don’t have the Astros in their division. The Rangers were expected to finish last in their division this year. It’s not that they are defeatists. They are realists. Even if they made the playoffs they would likely be the first team knocked out. This season was a great stride for the Rangers. They all know better than to trade it all away for the first sub 10% chance that they get at a championship. Santanas season is purely a product of the juiced ball. I watched him with my Braves last season. He is athletic but can’t hit a lick. Every MLB team knows it and has known it for years. If they could get anything for him they should right now but I highly doubt that would be the case. The other guy had it right. Make a sell trade and throw him in to increase your return. If any MLB team is willing to do that it would be the best Texas could hope for. BTW: I am a Braves fan but Texas is my favorite AL team. GO RON WASHINGTON!
People said the same thing about the Royals not making it far with their patchwork rotation in 2014-2015 too. If the Rangers could get into the playoffs and past the wildcard (since they’re not winning the division) Mike Minor and Lance Lynn would at least give them a fair shot at winning most series.
Thank you Johnny Superscout
Except now the Indians have to play an extremely rough three weeks of baseball against above .500 teams and the Twins get to beat up on the Marlins, Tigers, and Royals.
Wild Card the schedules will balance out due to so many contenders.
Divisions are different and the Indians had an easy schedule while the Twins got more difficult. It wasn’t hard to see them making up ground. These teams are all about being realistic. They know when and when not to take their shots. The Rangers have to look at themselves and say they are at least better than all but one of the Rays, Indians/Twins, Red Sox, Athletics, and Angels. Is it worth it to take the maybe 5% gamble they have to make the playoffs? For some it might be. For most it’s not.
The AL central is the weakest division in baseball is why the indians are winning all of a sudden. 3 teams that are tanking while the AL west has 1 team tanking. Indians have a much easier path to the playoffs than any other team in the playoff race.
Indians just had 3 series with the Tigers (10 -0) and 3 with the royals (7-1). That will help anyone get back in the race.
Yeh, teams should be clamoring for a guy that has barely hit .200 in 2015,16,17,and 18 and is now having a surprising success story so far in 2019 acting as the Rangers “Swiss army knife”.
Next of course the “affordable control” argument, and of course his league minimum salary.
The only value this guy has is as the replacement for the 25th guy on somebody’s roster who’s currently hitting .200, has no speed and only plays 2 outfield positions.
With barely 9 weeks left in the season, his contributory value to a team in contention has to be heavily weighed unless injury dictates a drastic move on somebody’s part. You absolutely don’t know what you’ll get next year, most probably a sink right back to his sub .200, and regardless of his speed and versatility, there is no wonder that nobody has inquired about his availability regardless of J Morosi’ comments about vague other team interest.
if this guy becomes ur “25th” guy than your a really really good team
I get what you’re saying. Santana could be one of those late bloomer success stories though. He has flashed potential in the past. Not saying it’s a reason for teams to buy. Moreso a reason Texas should hang on to him.
Just out of curiosity, especially since now the Braves could be possibly losing Markakis to injury for 6 to 8 weeks, could the Braves be thinking of adding another Corner Outfield bat to go along with pitching? Personally, I feel it’s time to see the Bravos make that bold move for Syndergaard & Diaz, but if the asking price is a King’s Ransom (which I’m sure it would be), could the Braves fall back & look at maybe trying to hook up a deal with the Rangers for Minor. Lecleric, & Mazzara? Maybe trying to give the Rangers something like Bryce Wlson, Kolby Allard, ,& Adam Duvall?
From what I’ve read over at another site, Duvall was pulled from last nights game with Gwinnett and PH for in the late innings, sounds like he’s on his way to join the Braves in Philly.
Wilson, Allard, & Duvall wouldn’t even get you Minor, much less all three of those Rangers. Easy pass from Texas.
If you’re going for Minor and Leclerc, then you probably need to start with Ian Anderson and Wilson. I’m not sure why the Braves wouldn’t just plug in Duvall for Markakis since he got hurt instead of trading for Mazara… doesn’t seem necessary in the deal
I love Minor and I’m good with the Braves reuniting with him, but as much as I like him, he’s not worth Anderson. He’s worth one or two of the the other pitching prospects the Braves have, but not the top. The Braves 3rd or 4th and maybe even 5th best pitching prospects are as good as a lot of teams 1st or 2nd pitching prospects.
You can believe what you want but if you want Minor, Leclerc and Mazara in a package deal, you’re giving up multiple top 100 prospects. Two good, but not elite, pitching prospects and some bum AAAA player is a laughable offer.
Wilson is a top 100 prospect. Also, if you think minor gets you Anderson you need to actually do some research.
The conversation for Minor begins with Anderson or Wright. If that’s too expensive for Atlanta, Texas should just keep Minor.
The discussion isn’t just about Minor. It’s about Minor, Leclerc and Mazara. Anderson would without a doubt be included if that fantasy deal were to ever happen.
Mazarra of the Rangers still offers top potential, but hasn’t realized it. A change of scenery might work wonders for this kid. A trade to the Braves would be a perfect choice. Don’t know what the Braves would offer in return, but I am sure it would be one of their top five prospects or two.
Mazara is not worth one of the Braves top 5 prospects. You don’t trade top 100 guys for someone who hasn’t realized “it” yet….. you trade top 100 guys for guys who have PROVEN they belong.
Lucas Sims was a top 100 prospect just a few years ago… what kind of PROVEN player could he have brought back?
Doubt Texas gives up Leclerc before Martin unless the offered package is just impossible to say no to.
Also that offer is trash.
Since Santana’s break out year in 2014 the guy has been bitten by the injury bug. I don’t think he has ever been fully healthy in the last three or four years until now! I believe he is fulfilling his potential as a good bat with top notch speed on the base paths. I would not trade him unless there was an offer that was too good to turn down.
New stadium?
I went to a game in Arlington a few years ago.
The place seemed new.
I need to google this, it can’t be more than 15 years old!
its not too old but the summers are brutal and enough people complained for a roof, and so=new stadium bein built. kinda a bummer since i grew up with the hot as hell ballpark in arlington