Texas Rangers: 3 holiday player gifts that could be offered to other teams

These players from the Texas Rangers’ current roster could bring holiday cheer to other MLB teams in trades this festive season.

‘Tis the season to make trades.

Christmas might have come early this year for teams who have traded with the Texas Rangers this offseason.

Like for the Chicago White Sox, who found a Lance Lynn under their tree during the Winter Meetings.

Or for the Tampa Bay Rays, who received some prospects in their stockings for first baseman Nate Lowe.

Or for the Seattle Mariners, who saw a Rafael Montero tumbling down their chimney last Tuesday.

Or even for the Cincinnati Reds, who acquired Scott Heineman last Wednesday.

In any case, the Texas Rangers have been in quite the giving spirit this holiday season. Could Santa Claus (er, Jon Daniels) have any more tricks up his sleeve as we approach Christmas Day?

Let’s look at three players on the current Texas roster who, if traded, could make another team’s Christmas all the more merrier (while also boosting the Rangers’ rebuild!).

Texas Rangers’ holiday gift 1: RHP Jose Leclerc

The Texas Rangers aren’t planning to contend in 2021, so plain and simply, they don’t have a need for relievers.

Contending teams do, however.

Texas shipped off reliever Rafael Montero to a Seattle squad that is looking to take the next step in 2021.

Perhaps they could do the same with righty reliever Jose Leclerc.

Leclerc has been a very serviceable reliever since making his debut with the Rangers in 2016, sporting a career 3.90 ERA, 3.30 FIP and 155 ERA+ over 189 relief innings pitched for Texas.

The Dominican right-hander also has 29 career saves, including back-to-back seasons of double-digit save totals in 2018 and 2019.

Leclerc not only has late-game relief experience but is also signed to a massively team-friendly contract at just $14.75 million through the 2022 season with team options for 2023 and 2024.

His career stats and affordable salary should make Leclerc an appealing trade target to other teams in the league looking to fortify their bullpen unit heading into 2021.

The way the Texas Rangers have been so giving this holiday season, it could be worth a call.