Texas Rangers bold predictions: One from each member of our staff

Nomar Mazara is dealt by the trade deadline

This is one that pains me to write and may pain you to read. But I think there’s a decent shot that the Texas Rangers decide to deal young outfielder Nomar Mazara before this year’s trade deadline. I’ve written more than once about the buildup of outfield talent in the Texas Rangers organization, and this year seems the time to start narrowing the field.

With Gallo, DeShields and Mazara slotted to start Opening Day, it leaves Carlos Tocci and Willie Calhoun as the odd men out and subsequently puts them in the minors. But Texas has to make a decision on who they want to build around and I think Mazara is the one who finds himself on the outside looking in. While he’s still young, he hasn’t shown much growth in his first few years in the majors at the plate and defensively. He’s not irreplaceable.

Dealing Mazara could help the Rangers net a few talented prospects and allow Willie Calhoun to get more big league playing time in left field. Gallo would move from left to right, which I think is a more natural fit, and Texas can at least have a core nailed down around which they can build the future.