2 potential Rangers trade targets among most likely to be traded before deadline

The Rangers are in desperate need of just anything that will work and get them consistenly winning ballgames.

Whether that is from within the organization or externally, Texas needs to find an answer and do so quickly before it's too late. The good news is, if they are looking to go the trade route, there are a handful of options on the market that could be moved this summer.

2 potential trade targets for the Texas Rangers are among names likely to be moved before the trade deadline

Sandy Alcantara

Despite the horrific start to the year, Alcantara is still going to be one of the hottest names on the market this summer. We've seen it plenty of times throughout baseball, a player who is less than stellar, gets traded to a new team mid-season and turns into something marvelous.

The Rangers know that all too well from a couple of seasons ago. Texas traded for Jordan Montgomery and got back a legendary second half and World Series championship run from the left-hander.

Alcantara is also getting some benefit of the doubt, having just returned from Tommy John surgery. Fans, however, have been a bit shocked to see Alcantara's numbers this season. In 31 innings, he has a 2-4 record, 8.42 ERA, 23 strikeouts, 18 walks, a 1.61 WHIP and opponents are batting .261 against him.

That is a long way off from his Cy Young season in 2022 where he led the league in WAR (8.0, complete games (6), innings pitched (228.2), struck out 207 batters and had a 2.28 ERA. Regardless, a lot of people don't assume his struggles will last long and while it might complicate trade talks with teams, it won't shut them down completely.

As for the Texas Rangers, they have young potential trade candidates in the minor leagues that could be enticing for Miami. The Rangers also have a recent trade history with the Marlins, giving them 3 prospects for Jake Burger this past winter.

Luis Robert Jr.

Robert Jr. is only two years removed from an All-Star season that saw him slash .264/.315/.542 with 38 home runs, 80 RBIs with an .857 OPS in 145 games for a struggling 2023 White Sox team that finished the season 61-101 (40 games under .500).

But the last two seasons (2024-25) for the outfielder have been ones of immense struggle, where he's hit a combined .216 with just 19 home runs and a .654 OPS in 135 games. Now you may read those number and wonder why it is that a struggling offensive team would want to trade for yet another struggling bat. Yes, those concerns are valid but have you ever heard of the phrase, "maybe a change of scenery would be good for him"? Robert Jr. could be a massive candidate for that.

It could benefit the 27-year-old outfielder to get out Chicago, which has been a death trap for many the last 4-5 seasons. Since Robert Jr. made his MLB Debut in 2020, the White Sox have only had one winning season (2021) and last year set a record for worst record ever at 41-121.

Only thing that might cause trouble with the Rangers is his contract. He has club options on the books in 2026 and 2027 worth $20 million. Texas, who has struggled with payroll the last few seasons, might not be too keen on taking on a potential $40 million for a non-productive at-bat.