5 creative trades that could improve the Texas Rangers in 2022

Texas Rangers trade targets- Ryan Yarbrough, SP, Tampa Bay Rays

The cashed strapped Rays will continue to operate as usual and look to trade pieces who are not part of the future plan or aren’t considered cost-efficient.

That means Ryan Yarbrough, who is expected to earn $4.6 million through arbitration, will be on the move.

Yarbrough is controllable through 2024 and would be a dynamic pitching piece for the Rangers. He was used in a multitude of ways with the creative Rays and could be used similarly here.

The soft-tossing lefty would be considered a cheap starting pitcher if the Rangers only bring in one free-agent pitcher. He could start games in a tandem role or as an opener as well for the younger pitchers. Yarbrough wouldn’t demand a high prospect haul either.

Yarbrough suffered his worst year in 2021 pitching to a 5.11 ERA over 155 innings. Part of that can be contributed to his decreased fastball pitch rate. Before 2021 he threw the FB at a 23% rate, which decreased to 13% in ’21. His velocity on it did dip a bit from an average of 88.4 mph to 86.7 mph. His slider, change-up, and cutter drop of one to two mph as well.

DJ Peters is the name to watch here, though, a controllable power hitter with great defense seems to fit TB’s desires. It would be made more possible if the Rangers had plans to sign OF help as well. Apostel, meanwhile, doesn’t have a clear path to the majors at either 1B or 3B so he could be the next platoon option the Rays.

*trade idea courtesy, @lanceluther83