Texas Rangers: Keone Kela most valuable on the roster and most valuable reliever on the trade market

The markets sets up ideally for Keone Kela

We’ve seen relievers take over control of the trade market for a few consecutive years now. It’s kind of the new routine. Names like Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman, and Brandon Kintzler have shifted the market in previous seasons. Closer Kelvin Herrera being traded to the Washington Nationals last month was the first big move of the year.

More from Texas Rangers News

• Early 2023 MLB mock draft has Texas Rangers selecting an Ohtani-lite
• 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
• Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
• Martin Perez accepting the qualifying offer looking like solid deal for the Rangers
• 4 outfielders the Texas Rangers can still pursue this winter

While Keone Kela does not have the track record to match any of those relievers, he certainly has the talent and potential to warrant a very notable trade prior to the July 31st trade deadline.

Contenders in desperate need of Kela’s services are the Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves. Each team is in the bottom half of MLB in bullpen ERA; Cleveland ranks dead last and Colorado third to last. The Los Angeles Angels could be tossed in the mix too. Though, they are quite the disoriented bunch at the moment.

Next: Will Shin-Shoo Choo be moved by July 31st?

Expect negotiations to really heat up over the next week. Rumors should surface at a greater rate and deals should be inked soon enough. From the perspective of the Texas Rangers, now is the perfect time to swap Keone Kela for some prospect talent. It’s tough to let a high-caliber closer go; however, we’ve seen the kind of talent contending teams are willing to give up for exactly that.