5 creative trades that could improve the Texas Rangers in 2022

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Aug 28, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer (30) is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers trade targets- Eric Hosmer, 1B, and Robert Hassel, OF, San Diego Padres

This is a trade topic you’ll see lots of.

Hosmer was almost a Ranger last year before the team opted for the larger prospect pool from the Yankees (sorry about that, Gallo).

The Padres will continue to need OF help as well as relief pitching and infield depth. However, the main purpose of the trade from the Padres perspective would be to get out from under the remaining $59 million of Hosmer’s contract. After the $20 million in 2021, he is likely to opt into the final $13 million per year over the next three. That’s not a large dent to the Rangers, but a dent nonetheless.

That dent lands you a big-time prospect in Robert Hassell. A long-time personal target, I will speak it into existence. In exchange, the Rangers send Adolis Garcia, the Sporting News’ AL Rookie of the Year to the Padres. This may not seem ideal, but El Bombi will be 29 and had a major regression hitting .224 in the final 104 games.

They also send Patton and Martin to pad the Padres pen. Ibanez would be the infield depth sent but the Rangers may think twice after he hit .321 with 4 homers over the last 39 games so perhaps Nick Solak is the one to go.

If the Texas Rangers’ new hitting coaches can’t stop Hosmer’s regression, they could look at flipping him to make that dent smaller. If not Hosmer could DH and spot start. His defense is better than Lowe’s but you would want Lowe to continue and grow there. Hosmer would also offer leadership and experience to the team.

Next. Free agent trios for the Rangers to consider. dark

Expect the Unexpected

One thing to keep in mind is the unexpected trades. No one predicted an Andrus – Davis swap, nor was the Nathaniel Lowe deal expected. Somewhere out there are a couple of executives cooking up a plan. With the winter meetings in question, it’s reasonable to expect the GM meetings in California this past weekend were busy. When the CBA is agreed to, the groundwork better be ready to be built upon because things will move fast.

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