Roundtable Talk: Potential Texas Rangers Trades at the Winter Meetings

As the Winter Meetings kick into full gear, the staff at Nolan Writin’ took a shot at one trade that we’d like to see the Texas Rangers make.

In trying to evaluate what the Texas Rangers are doing and might do at the Winter Meetings and beyond this offseason, the staff here at Nolan Writin’ took a crack at specific trades we’d like to see the club make. These are specific deals that are with teams that either have been linked to the Rangers or have holes in spots that Texas could fill.

With three writers on the staff, there obviously are three trades to be made. Let us know which ones are your favorites, what you’d like to see, and where you think we went wrong in comments below.

Without further ado…

Travis Koch

The Milwaukee Brewers are in the market for a second baseman. They acquired both Mike Moustakas and Jonathan Schoop to strengthen the position last summer, however, Moustakas is now a free agent and Schoop was non-tendered.

Profar seems like a perfect fit for the Brewers. He’d receive every day playing time at 2B. Given his stellar glove and somewhat shaky arm, that is his ideal position. If needed, Profar could step in at shortstop if Orlando Arcia struggles once again and he could play third base if Milwaukee wants to sit Travis Shaw vs. left-handed pitchers. As a switch hitter, Profar would add a left-handed hitting component to a primarily right-handed lineup. I could very much see him hitting second in the lineup between Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich.

In return, the Texas Rangers get a right-handed starting pitcher, Freddy Peralta. He’s 22 years old, arbitration eligible through 2022 and he doesn’t become a free agent until 2025. Peralta is a three-pitch pitcher (fastball, changeup, curveball) with great command of the zone. Last season he posted a 1.136 WHIP, 3.72 FIP and allowed less than one home run per nine innings.

The Rangers would acquire an advanced young arm that already has major league experience. The Brewers would acquire another player with a high baseball IQ and someone who can drive runners in and reach base often in order to be driven in. Each player fits the current direction of each team.

Milwaukee could still make a play on a free agent starting pitcher. Otherwise, they have Jimmy Nelson, Chase Anderson, Jhoulys Chacin, and Zach Davies as returning starters. Plus, Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff as emerging starters. Peralta is therefore expendable.

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.