Outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. has foregone the June 1 opt-out clause in his minor league contract and will remain with the Rangers for the time being, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Grant notes that the Rangers are still open to helping DeShields land on a big league roster if the opportunity presents itself. The Yankees reportedly looked into a trade involving DeShields but have thus far opted to go in another direction. Given Texas’ openness to helping DeShields back to the Majors, the Yankees probably wouldn’t have to give much of anything in return.
Of course, Texas could also opt to take another look at DeShields themselves. He’s batting .363/.433/.538 in Triple-A Round Rock, albeit in just 91 plate appearances and with a ridiculous .500 average on balls in play that won’t be sustained. DeShields has spent parts of five seasons as a Ranger, but Texas is currently committed to evaluating younger and/or more controllable players throughout the bulk of the lineup — hence the decision to move on from Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor this season. Twenty-five-year-old Jason Martin is getting a look right now, and Texas also has Willie Calhoun, Adolis Garcia and Joey Gallo in the current outfield mix.
Some more notes from Arlington…
- Lefty Hyeon-jong Yang is moving back into the bullpen after four of his past five appearances (including three in a row) were starts, Grant tweets. The former KBO MVP has been hit hard when working out of the rotation — particularly the second time through the order. Everything regarding Yang’s numbers so far comes with a small-sample caveat, given his limited innings count, but he’s pitched to a 3.55 ERA in 12 2/3 innings as a reliever while holding opponents to a .191/.255/.340 output. As a starter, he’s been tagged for 11 runs in 15 innings while yielding a .298/.388/.561 slash. One good start or one poor relief outing could obviously skew those numbers substantially at this point, so those numbers can be taken with a grain of salt. The 33-year-old Yang has tossed at least three innings in all of his appearances as a Ranger, so he’ll give skipper Chris Woodward a multi-inning option.
- Stepping into Yang’s rotation spot will be left-hander Kolby Allard. The former Braves top prospect and first-round pick has worked primarily out of the bullpen this season but stretched to four innings in his most recent relief outing. Allard held his own as a rookie following the trade that swapped him and reliever Chris Martin in 2019, but he was clobbered for a 7.75 ERA in 33 2/3 innings last summer. He’s been sharp through his small sample of 11 1/3 innings in ’21, sporting a career-best 27 percent strikeout rate and a strong seven percent walk rate. It feels like Allard has been a prospect forever, but that’s common with high-profile high school draftees. He’s still just 23 years of age and has only 19 big league starts under his belt, so there’s time for him to yet emerge as a solid back-end starter for Texas.
- Top prospect Josh Jung is expected to be cleared to return to action within the next two weeks, per Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The 23-year-old Jung, selected eighth overall in 2019, has yet to play this season after suffering a stress fracture in his foot back in Spring Training. He underwent surgery that came with a recovery period of up to eight weeks. Jung has yet to play above A-ball because of last year’s canceled minor league season, but he hit .316/.389/.443 between Rookie ball and Class-A in 2019, his lone pro season thus far. He’s widely considered to be among the game’s top 100 overall prospects and is viewed as the club’s third baseman of the future.
Rate this trade. Gallo and Adolis to the Yankees for the classic Frazier and Andujar
Why would TEX remotely consider that offer? BEYOND POOR
Because the Yankees don’t have enough swing and miss in their lineup?
Yankees say no to this deal. Definitely not the players they need.
Dear God no. Just no.
Just joking lol. Adolis a beast
gallo is garbage
As are Frazier and Andujar.
Better than Gallo, at least.
At the very least, all 3 struggle with contact/strikeout rates. But Gallo can get on base via the walk, has more power, and he is a Gold Glove right fielder.
@pinstripes. You must be watching hockey or something because Andujar looks like the lesser of the bunch being discussed.
Gallo is by no means having a good season but he is way more valuable than those two players.
He was a gold glover last year and a very good OBP
A trade that doesn’t really work for either team. Plus why would the Rangers get rid of Adolis when he has been one of the more consistent offensive pieces in their lineup and Frazier and Andujar haven’t done much of anything?
Not even close
Weird. He probably would have been signed to a big league roster within 5 minutes of opting out no?
There aren’t too many teams banging down the door for a career a sub-80 wRC+/OPS+ outfielder who’s only value is defense and base running.
See Steve’s comment below. I’m also guessing that Delini and his agent made some calls around the league and didn’t find anyone willing to commit to a big-league roster spot. He also may want a longer-term commitment as opposed to being an injury fill-in for a week or two.
Weird. He probably would have signed right away by a club if he opted out no?
The DeShields story makes little sense. The best way to secure a MLB role would be to trip the opt out so he could negotiate with every team without any compensation attached. It would increase his opportunities. This sounds as if no team has expressed an interest in his services.
It’s exactly that, most likely. With an opt-out coming, his agent surely talked to front offices around the league. The Rangers have been in touch with other clubs, too (hence the recent Yankees report).
Right now, there’s no big league opportunity, so he’ll stay with the group of guys he likes, in a setting and organization where he’s comfortable, and wait to see if another opportunity does pop up. If it does, the Rangers will very likely just trade him there for negligible cash considerations.
If he became available via waivers or a budget-friendly deal, I wouldn’t mind if The Tigers picked him up. We are pretty thin on outfielders that can hit the ball, and while DeShields is nothing spectacular (I like his OBPs, though) he would be an upgrade here. Daz Cameron and the other young OFers may never arrive at the present rate.
Allard has been insane this season. That strikeout rate has been an astounding improvement for him, and especially for a lower velo guy like him.
The strikeout numbers are better than previous years, but to me the number that jumps off the page is that he has halved his previous walk rate. Results will usually be better and managers will trust you more if you at least throw the darn ball around the plate.
Agreed – The strikeouts are nice but his success stems from being able to limit walks.
Where do you see best trade fit for Gallo, Gibson and Kennedy.
I actually doubt that Gallo is a favorite for that Yanks. He isn’t the best fit for that team, but people love to speculate the big market trades.
Imo Gallo is a good fit for the Marlins and Giants. Both are going to have a good shot to sneak up on their opponents this year, and Gallo would certainly help their cause. Those are also two teams with good farm systems, and either could easily put up a viable offer for Gallo.
Gibson is either a Blue Jay or Brave by the deadline. Both are in dire need of starters, and they could also put up a good prospect package to get him too.
Kennedy could go anywhere, but I’d say the best fit is getting him packaged up in a trade to SF with Gallo. An experienced right hander to pair up with Rogers and McGee in that pen would be very helpful in the playoffs. And also the Brewers since they traded away two great relievers in they Adames deal.
I like your thought process here – tagging Kennedy along with Gallo to SF. Make sense in multiple ways.
Remember before the season when everyone was telling me to calm down and that this is going to be OK, and that we shouldn’t have signed Felix or Chris archer? How’s that working out. Dude that pitched last night is rocking a 1-7 with a 5.4 Era.
So if I’m getting this right, Rangers are damn near one of the worst in baseball, with no major league ready prospects yet, and they are considering trading one of the few players with good upside in Gallo?
Are the Rangers trying to lose fans at this point? I mean I’ve been quiet all year cause I wanted to wait and give them a chance and see if yall were right, and I’m not sure if Felix and Chris archer are even doing good, but they can’t be worse than this folty clown.
If DeShields didn’t opt-out its because his agent couldn’t secure a Major League deal for him. On paper the Yankees, Mets, White Sox, Angels, Phillies all seem like logical landing spots on a Major League deal but unless he really wants to be a Ranger there must have been nothing out there
The rangers should send Ian Kennedy to the Dodgers.
They have tons of blocked talent that would get the call up on most teams.
Too bad Texas probably wants more than Dennis Santana and Sheldon Neuse.
Would Mitch White be enough for Ian Kennedy?
How bout they fire Woodward and bring in an aggressive manager who can actually win some close games. Bring in a hitting coach that can well teach these guys how to hit. Rangers are the best out there but they have alot of talent. Just need someone to lead them to some wins.
How bout they get rid Woodward and bring in an aggressive manager who can actually win some close games. Bring in a hitting coach that can well teach these guys how to hit. Rangers are the best out there but they have alot of talent. Just need someone to lead them to some wins.