Texas Rangers: Ranking the Top Deadline Deals Since 2000

The Texas Rangers are gearing up for an active trade season as July presses on. What are some of their best summer moves since 2000?

The Texas Rangers are gearing up for one of their more active trade deadlines in recent memory. With numerous names linked to moves away, we took a look at some of the best deals Texas has made since the year 2000. For this list, we’re only looking at deals that took place in the month of July and were the year 2000 or later. Factors in the ranking include, net-WAR which will compare the WAR of players acquired while they were with Texas against the WAR of players traded for the rest of their career. We’ll also look at future impact for those players yet to reach the big leagues and accolades received by players acquired.

Next: Number 7

7. July 31, 2015: Trading for Sam Dyson

(n-WAR: 2.4)

The less notable of the 2015 deadline day deals, Texas picked up a great reliever in Sam Dyson from the Miami Marlins. Dyson, like Hamels and Diekman, was picked up as a part of bolstering the staff for a 2015 playoff run that unfortunately didn’t materialize. Still, Dyson held a consistent role in the bullpen for the Rangers for parts of 3 seasons.

Tomas Telis and Cody Ege, while making appearances at the big league level, haven’t really contributed in any notable way since they were dealt. At the time this was thought to be a steal and in 2018, it still was one.

Next: Number 6

6. July 31, 2017 : Trading Yu Darvish for Willie Calhoun

(n-WAR: -0.3)

Theoretically, this could end up being one of the best deals on this list or the not worthy of the list at all. Even though the WAR is negative, the Rangers return has yet to make any real appearances at the big league level. Calhoun, the biggest piece for Texas, is considered the number 2 prospect in their system and a top prospect in the league. Expectations are high for Calhoun once he does move to the Majors full-time either this year or next.

Darvish, at the time was the Texas Rangers ace, but had an expiring contract and Texas was not a contender. The move to send him to LA, while expected, still was hard to swallow for fans. After the end of the season, Darvish signed with the Cubs though leaving the Dodgers. With him leaving LA, it essentially means that the Rangers got a top tier prospect for a 2-month rental of Yu.

Alexy, the other notable piece Texas received, is a quality catching prospect that the Rangers can hope to develop moving forward.

Next: Number 5

5. July 31, 2007: Sending Gagne to Boston for David Murphy

(n-WAR: 11.9)

Another deal where the Rangers acquired a fan favorite, Texas sent high-caliber closer, Eric Gagne, to the Red Sox in 2007 for David Murphy. Murphy spent 7 years in Texas all during his prime. A flexible player who could play all outfield spots, Murphy’s prime seasons were in Arlington where he racked up 826 appearances with a .275 batting average.

Gagne, at the time, was one of the better relievers in baseball. Sending him away was not a popular move as many thought Texas could resign him at the end of the season. However long-term the deal paid off as Gagne would only pitch one more season in the big leagues before the end of his career.

Next: Number 4

4. July 31, 2015: Trading for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman

(n-WAR: 6.3)

In 2015, on a deadline day move, the Rangers acquired ace Cole Hamels from the Phillies along with solid reliever, Jake Diekman. In this move that saw Texas send 6 players the other way, the Rangers picked up two players who were meant to bolster the pitching staff as Texas hoped for a deep playoff run.

Hamels, who immediately slotted in the rotation alongside Yu Darvish, is now the de facto ace of the Rangers. Even though he likely is on his way out this summer, made an All-Star game as a Ranger and was the pitching depth Texas was looking for at the time he was acquired. Diekman, a flame-throwing lefty, also has made his impact in Arlington. He cemented himself as a consistent late inning reliever and a fan favorite. Although he also could be moved this month, he and Cole were very important pickups for this franchise.

Going the other way, Texas sent 6 prospects to Philadelphia. Harrison, perhaps the most recognizable name for Rangers fans, never actually pitched again after the trade was made. Jerad Eickhoff has been the most successful player for the Phillies but has yet to pitch this season due to injury. The other four, while appearing in the majors, have yet to make any real impact at the big league level.

Part of the benefit of this trade will be seeing what the Rangers trade both players for this summer as well as how much of Hamels contract they can offload.

Next: Number 3

2. July 19, 2000: Acquiring Michael Young from Toronto

(n-WAR: 10.2)

I know their will be some controversy here not having Michael Young be the best acquisition on this list, but Young is a close second. In this deal, the Rangers sent veteran pitcher, Esteban Loaiza to Toronto in exchange for a young shortstop named Michael Young.

Young, would go on to have an illustrious 13-year career with Texas and being the definition of a cornerstone guy. Playing 3 different positions over his time with the Rangers, he would go on to make 7 All-Star appearances, win the 2005 AL Batting Title and finish his career with 2,375 hits. All his talent and work ethic lead to him being inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2016.

Now acquiring Young did come with a drawback. Loaiza was a very accomplished pitcher and would stay in the league for 8 more seasons after he was traded and finished second in the 2003 Cy Young voting. But even losing that quality is worth getting, Mr. Ranger.

Next: Number 1

1. July 31, 2007: Picking up Elvis Andrus for Mark Teixiera

(n-WAR: 14.4)

It’s rare that trading away an All-Star first baseman in the middle of his prime pays off as much as this trade did. This is actually the first trade the Rangers made that I remember where I was when it happened. The Rangers shipped away Mark Teixiera and aging pitcher Ron Mahay, to the Braves for four bright prospects. You might have heard of them. Elvis Andrus, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Not only did Texas acquire four prospects who all would make it to the Majors for them, but they got a franchise shortstop. Elvis Andrus, the only player still with the Rangers, has been their shortstop for all of his major league career, spanning 10 seasons. Still 29 years old, he’s earned a couple of All-Star appearances and been a fan favorite for years.

As for Harrison, Feliz and Salty, all of them made regular appearances for Texas with Harrison being a middle-rotation starter and Feliz holding down the Rangers closer role for a few years.

Teixiera on the other hand, was shipped out of Atlanta just a year later in a deal that sent him to the Angels. Not the best deal on Atlanta’s part. If you look at the WAR for the players just in their time with the team they were traded to, Texas is positive 40.9. A pretty big gap for a deal that many thought the Braves would win.

Next: Handing Out the Mid-Season Awards

Let us know what you think of our list and if we missed anybody in the comments below.