What could the Rangers get for Yu Darvish?

Are the Texas Rangers ready to part ways with ace Yu Darvish? What are some possible returns for the All Star?

Trade season is upon us, and for the first time this decade we could see the Texas Rangers throw their hat into the seller’s market.

Despite conflicting reports regarding the Rangers interest in holding onto Yu Darvish, the smart choice would be trading him — for the right price.

Let’s start with why. Why would the Rangers trade their ace when finding quality starting pitching has been a reoccurring problem since the conception of this franchise?

Well, it’s obvious, Yu is a free agent at the end of the season and is setting himself up for a massive payday. Sure the Rangers could make a run at re-signing him, but history is not in their favor. Thirteen starting pitchers have signed $100 million contracts in free agency, none of them with their former team.

There’s also the fact this Rangers team is not a World Series contender. They’re 18 games back in the division and in fourth place. Sure, they’re only 3.5 games back of the second wildcard, but five teams stand in their way. And do we really want to put the future of the franchise in jeopardy because of an off-shoot chance at the second wildcard?

Finally, it’s a seller’s market, and Darvish is it’s the biggest commodity. He is a rental, and that should tamper some expectations, but the haul could give a huge boost to a farm system desperately needing one.

The Dodgers, Astros, and Nationals are hoping to bolster their World Series contending rosters while teams like the Brewers, Cubs, and Yankees look to separate themselves in a crowded playoff picture.

Let’s look at five possible landing spots for the ace and what the potential return could be.

The Chicago Cubs

After winning their first World Series in 108 years, the Cubs spent the majority of the first half hovering around .500, striking panic in hearts of Cubs fans who started watching baseball last October.

No worries Patriots, Cubs, and Warriors fans, it appears their World Series hangover is finally over. The Cubs are a baseball best 8-2 in their last ten games and find themselves just a half game out of first place in the NL Central.

Despite acquiring Jose Quintana from the White Sox a week ago, Jon Morosi has reported that the Cubs are interested in Darvish.

Out of all the potential suitors, the Cubs have the least to offer which is surprising considering their consistently strong farm system. But recent acquisitions and call-ups leave the Cubs with one top-100 prospect, Jeimer Candelario, an infielder in which the Rangers already have a surplus.

But what the Cubs lack in their farm system they make up for with young Major League talent.

Kyle Schwarber could be an option, but he’s a defensive liability and the Rangers already have a left handed hitter who either strikes out or homers. A deal for Darvish would have to be centered around either Albert Almora or Ian Happ.

Happ was the team’s number one prospect heading into 2017 while Almora was the number three prospect before making his debut in 2016.

Both could fill the huge hole in center field both now and in the future for the Rangers, but with Happ performing well and Almora being the better defensive center fielder, Almora makes the most sense for both teams.

Possible return – OF Albert Almora, RHP Jen Ho-Tseng, RHP Alec Mills

The Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have a top three rotation in baseball when healthy. The problem is, they’re never healthy.

Rich Hill has battled with blisters for most of the season, Hyun-Jin Ryu has pitched 82 innings over the past two seasons, and now Clayton Kershaw could miss anywhere from 6-10 weeks. Could Kershaw’s latest injury expedite a Yu Darvish trade?

The Dodgers have the system to make it work and adding Darvish would give them one of the best playoff rotations in recent memory in Kershaw, Darvish, Hill, and Alex Wood.

Those close to the team think the Dodgers top two prospects, Walker Buehler and Alex Verdugo, are as close to untouchable as it gets. Without them, the team still has four top-100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline.

A trade built around Yadier Alvarez and Willie Calhoun would give the Rangers a pitcher with a front of the rotation potential and one of the best hitters in the Minor Leagues.

Of course, these two don’t come without their flaws. Alvarez has some serious control issues, and Calhoun has yet to find his home defensively. Nonetheless, these two would instantly become the number two and three prospects in the system behind Leody Taveras.

Potential return – RHP Yadier Alvarez, INF/OF Willie Calhoun, RHP Dennis Santana, RHP Trevor Oaks

The Houston Astros

I know, most fans consider it a cardinal sin to trade away a star player to a division rival. But the Astro’s are going to be players in the starting pitching market, and they still have a top-ten farm system. It would be foolish for the Rangers not to listen.

Much like the Dodgers, it’s hard to imagine Houston parting ways with their top two prospects, Kyle Tucker and Forrest Whitley for a rental. But a package centered around starting pitcher Franklin Perez and outfielder Derek Fisher could be enough to tempt the Rangers.

Perez was called up to Double-A Corpus Christi last week at only 19 years old. Despite struggling in his first two starts at Double-A, Perez’s 2.98 ERA and 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings in High-A is enough to get excited about.

Derek Fisher has an OPS of .967 in 86 games at Triple-A this year. He earned a call-up to the big leagues back in June where he hit two home runs in five games. Fisher has the middle of the lineup potential while being athletic enough to play center field. He can also draw defenses out with his ability to shoot the three.

Potential return – RHP Franklin Perez, OF Derek Fisher, RHP Hector Perez

The New York Yankees

The historic rise of Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez has turned the Yankees into postseason contenders despite committing to the rebuild just a season ago.

Judge’s MVP caliber season has led a top five offense, but injuries and Masahiro Tanaka’s struggles leave the Yankees a true ace away from being legitimate World Series contenders.

Given the Yankee’s current roster makeup, it would make more sense for them to peruse a pitcher with some team control I.E. Sonny Gray. But the reported high asking price could help Darvish land in the Yankees lap.

Much like every other proposed deal on this list, the Rangers will be seeking young starting pitching, and the Yankees may have the most to offer.

Pipelines number 23 prospect Chance Adams has a 1.92 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A this year and is by all accounts Major League ready right now. His front of the rotation potential could make losing Yu Darvish an easier pill to swallow.

Justus Sheffield could also be a potential target for the Rangers. The 21-year old is Pipelines 7th best left handed pitching prospect. He features a mid-90’s fastball with some sink.

Potential return – RHP Chance Adams, LHP Justus Sheffield, RHP Domingo German