Texas Rangers: Top 5 Players Most Likely to be Traded

Jurickson Profar

Trade Likelihood: 40%

Jurickson Profar has played well enough to earn everyday playing time. He has also played well enough to possibly be traded. His situation is the most interesting of them all.

The Texas Rangers of course have second baseman Rougned Odor under a big contract which recently took effect (6 years, $49.5 million). They also have all-star Elvis Andrus manning shortstop. Andrus has a buyout option after this season; though, it is unlikely he exercises it. Otherwise, he is signed through the 2023 season.

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The Rangers intend to have Elvis on the team when they break-in the new ballpark in 2020. They also hope Odor will find a way to be a decent baseball player by that time. It’s clear that Texas has dug themselves in a serious hole with the Rougned Odor contract. Unfortunately, they can’t trade him (no value) and they can’t release him (big contract). As bad as he’s been, the Rangers prefer he stays in the big leagues so they can at least possibly get their money’s worth.

Andrus is expected to be activated off the 60-day DL any game now, and once he returns, either Profar or Odor will have to take a seat. Given the way Profar has played this season, it will be Odor that sits down or is sent down. That will be the temporary move, but what happens down the road?

Jurickson Profar will be a free agent at the season’s end. Given his talent, versatility and age (25), Profar will be popular on the free agent market. Thus, maybe the Rangers should make it to where he hits free agency with another team.

His value is as high as it has been since he was a prospect. The Texas Rangers may want to take advantage of that. Trading Profar will clear things up in the infield. Odor is not a popular choice in Rangers’ nation at the moment; however, there is little to no way around playing him as time goes on.

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It’s not a guarantee that Jurickson Profar will be traded. In fact, there is less than a 50% chance. He likely won’t be worth a ton on his own, but the Rangers could include him in a package deal to maximize the return. As much of a joy as it has been to watch Profar return to glory this season, his contract, along with the team’s roster situation, is working against him.