Texas Rangers 2016 Trade Options

With 2016 approaching, we look at a few trade options available to Texas that could possibly benefit in the long term.

Spring training for the Texas Rangers has finally begun! The team looks decent to good, albeit with some holes spread around. With that, here are three realistic trade opportunities for the Rangers to think about in 2016 that could help for the present and/or future.

1. Trade Elvis

Game 5 of the ALDS aside, Elvis played decently year last year. However, he is in absolutely no way playing like someone should when they are paid $15 million a year. If things all go right, I could see the Texas Rangers trading Elvis if/when Jurickson Profar is 100% healthy again. He’s younger, cheaper, and possibly will be better in a year or two. With the 2017 free agency class looking pretty weak, it would easier to hold Elvis until next winter to get the best deal possible. Expect the Rangers to pay around $7-$8 million a year to have him go away.

2. Trade Prince Fielder and Shin-Soo Choo

Neither of these guys are getting any younger, and I don’t think Choo will be able to replicate his 2015 second half .389 batting average. Again, as the 2017 free agency class is really weak, it may be easiest to trade one of them next winter to get full value. Which ever one you don’t trade, throw them in at DH. With both Lewis Brinson and Nomar Mazara coming up in the next year or two, there won’t be any room for Choo. Mitch Moreland (when healthy) does a solid job at first base, so moving Prince there isn’t an option either.

Note: Trading one of Fielder, Choo, or Elvis will each free up around $20 million in payroll, making room for any potential deals the Rangers are wanting at the deadline to help for a playoff push.

3. Trade Jurickson Profar

If the Texas Rangers were to trade Profar, it would be at this year’s trade deadline, or next year’s offseason. His value is too low, and his potential too high, to throw out the window for a next-to-nothing deal. Even so, hindsight is 20/20, and if Profar never becomes healthy again, the Rangers will look back and think it would’ve been smart to trade him when they had the chance.

Which trade should/will the Texas Rangers make? Leave your opinion in the comments below.

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