Roundtable Talk: Potential Texas Rangers Trades at the Winter Meetings

Kenneth Nash

Nomar Mazara has been connected to a number of teams this offseason but perhaps the one that keeps popping up the most in the Atlanta Braves. Mazara fits the Braves plans as they are a team ready to compete now, but not quite willing to go all in on just this season. Because Mazara has multiple years of team control, he adds value to the Braves which means he adds value to the Rangers.

While the Braves are stocked with some elite pitching prospects, 7 in the MLB Top 100, Mazara probably won’t bring in one of their top guys. I doubt they can coax Touki Toussaint or Luis Gohara out of Atlanta unless they’re offering Joey Gallo but Kolby Allard and Kyle Muller are still great returns.

Allard cracked the MLB Top 100 last year and is fluttering on the edge of being MLB ready.  He spent the majority of 2018 with Triple-A Gwinnett but did make 3 appearances in the Majors, 1 of which was a start. He profiles as a middle rotation starter and could give the Rangers some starting pitching help fairly soon.

Kyle Muller is a 6’6″ left-hander who is currently with Double-A Mississippi. Throughout 3 Minor League stops in 2018, he made 25 starts, went 11-3 and posted a 3.03 ERA. At 21, he still needs probably another season of minor league development but he seems to have rotation potential which is what the Rangers are looking for.

Rangers fans are probably familiar with the name Travis Demeritte as he was a Rangers draft pick back in 2013. Demeritte has struggled since being dealt to the Braves back in 2016 and has been exposed to the Rule 5 draft yet again by Atlanta. He’s a right-handed hitter that has impressive power but struggles to avoid the strikeout. He’s listed as an outfielder but can play second and third which gives the Rangers some more depth options especially if Jurickson Profar gets dealt.