Texas Rangers: Ranking the Top Deadline Deals Since 2000

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.