Texas Rangers: Let’s pay homage to the saving grace of the season

Will the relief core stay together or separate as the Texas Rangers grind through trade season?

A team that has declared itself a seller will look to sell off players with the highest value. Unfortunately (or perhaps, fortunately), Keone Kela’s value has skyrocketed throughout the course of 2018. Thus, the likelihood of trading Kela has also skyrocketed.

Given Kela’s youth and team control, the Rangers will be very cautious in trade negotiations for their elite closer. He is a guy that could maintain the closer role for years to come; therefore, the organization does not want to give him away for any sort of modest return. Texas will look to flip Kela to a contender, but only for a top prospect. If teams are not willing to match Texas’ demands, then Kela will remain a Texas Ranger.

As for the rest of the relief crew…Jake Diekman could certainly be on the move. He will be a free agent come the offseason and many teams should be interested in his weaponry from the left side. Leclerc could go, but that seems unlikely. Other than that, every reliever should stay put for the remainder of the year.

Next: Adrian Beltre to the Philadelphia Phillies?

We’ll see what happens up until the July 31st trade deadline. The Texas Rangers bullpen is just now starting to settle in as one of the league’s best. With that said, the future is at the forefront of General Manger Jon Daniels. Keeping the current relief unit together takes a back seat to setting the team up for the future.