3 last minute moves Texas Rangers can make before MLB work stoppage

Barring a last second miracle, MLB will be entering a work stoppage starting on December 2, preventing the Texas Rangers and the other clubs from making any kind of player negotiation or transaction.

The Rangers, as you well know by now, have taken full advantage of the free agent frenzy that has accompanied the days leading up to the anticipated lockout. Since Sunday, they’ve signed Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Jon Gray and Kole Calhoun for a grand total of $561 million. And they’re not finished adding yet.

Texas is reportedly interested in trading for one of the Cincinnati Reds’ available pitchers and the A’s slugging first baseman Matt Olson as they explore all avenues to improve their team ahead of the 2022 season.

With the work stoppage quickly approaching, here are three last-minute moves the Texas Rangers could make.

3 last minute Texas Rangers moves before the MLB work stoppage: Trade for Matt Olson

We all know how good Matt Olson is. And with the A’s making him available in trade, the Rangers are already looking to pick up the phone.

Worth almost six WAR in 2021, Olson slugged 39 long balls and posted a .911 OPS in a breakout season. His left-handed bat paired with Corey Seager would give Texas an enviable middle of the order, along with the powerful Marcus Semien.

Of course, Olson wouldn’t come cheap. The Rangers would likely have to send Nathaniel Lowe in any deal, since having two starting first baseman on the roster is redundant. I think they’d be happy to do that considering the caliber of player Olson is.

Perhaps Isiah Kiner-Falefa and prospects Justin Foscue, Luisangel Acuna and righty Ronny Henriquez are enough to move the needle for the Oakland A’s in addition to Lowe.

3 last minute moves for the Texas Rangers: Sign Clayton Kershaw

There’s long been a connection between the Rangers and Kershaw, and it’s widely expected that if the veteran lefty doesn’t return to LA, he could opt to return home to his native Dallas.

Kershaw would only cost the Rangers money instead of more prospects, which they would have to surrender in a deal to land, say, Luis Castillo or Sonny Gray of the Reds. He also does not have a qualifying offer attached.

Though the 33-year-old has injury concerns, including shoulder problems that sidelined him last season, he still managed to put up good numbers as per usual (3.55 ERA in 121.2 IP, 22 starts) and he is expected to be ready for spring training.

Texas signed Jon Gray, but he’s not an ace-type, and there’s still work to do in improving this pitching staff.

With manager Chris Woodward’s LA connection succeeding in helping bring Corey Seager to town (along with money) and his ace pedigree, Kershaw feels like the perfect starting rotation upgrade for the Rangers.