The 10 Most Influential Trades in Texas Rangers History

The Texas Rangers have made an enormous amount of trades during their history.  Some trades have been viewed with skepticism while others made significant improvements to the ballclub.

Here is my list of the 10 most influential trades in Texas Rangers history.  These are the trades that helped the Rangers the most, whether to help them win or to sell off and acquire assets that would lead to future success.

And be sure to check out some of our other top 10 lists!

#1- Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay Traded to Atlanta (2007)

You could say Mark Teixeira helped the Texas Rangers reach two World Series in 2010 and 2011

T.R. Sullivan agrees with this ranking.

On July 31, 2007, the Texas Rangers shocked the baseball world when they traded star first baseman Mark Teixeira along with left-handed reliever Ron Mahay to the Atlanta Braves.  The Rangers received backup catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and prospects Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, and Beau Jones.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia played 193 games over parts of four seasons with the Rangers. Saltalamacchia hit 18 HR, added 82 RBI, and hit .243 during his tenure with the Rangers.

Elvis Andrus was 18 and a top prospect in the Braves organization.  By 2009, at the age of 20, Andrus earned a permanent callup to Texas and played 12 seasons at SS for the Rangers.  In 1,652 games, Andrus had 1,743 hits, including 328 doubles, 50 triples, 79 home runs, 673 RBI’s, 317 SB, a .272 BA, and a .327 OBP.  Prior to the 2021 season, Andrus was part of a trade that landed current Rangers catcher Jonah Heim.

Neftali Feliz was 19 and also a top prospect in the Braves organization.  By 2009, at the age of 21, Feliz earned a permanent callup to Texas and pitched parts of seven seasons for the Rangers.  In 216 games including seven starts, Feliz pitched 261.1 innings, had a 13-10 record, 2.69 ERA, 107 saves, and 366 SO.  Prior to the 2015 trade deadline, Feliz was released by the Rangers and promptly signed by the Detroit Tigers.

Matt Harrison was 21 and a top pitching prospect in the Braves organization.  In 2008, Harrison joined the Rangers starting rotation.  Harrison pitched his entire eight year MLB career for Texas.  In 135 games including 103 starts, Harrison had a 50-35 record, 4.21 ERA, and 408 SO in 668.1 innings.  His best season occurred in 2012 when he was an all-star and had an 18-11 record.  On July 31, 2015, Harrison was part of the trade to Philadelphia for Cole Hamels.  Harrison was injured at the time and never pitched another game in MLB.

Beau Jones was the only player in the trade who never played in the majors.  Jones kicked around the Rangers MILB organization for parts of five seasons before playing in the Miami and Pittsburgh organizations in 2015 and retiring  at the age of 25.