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The 10 Most Influential Trades in Texas Rangers History

By Chris Giles

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 17: Mark Teixeira #23 of the Texas Rangers bats during the game against the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum on July 17, 2005 in Oakland, California. The A's defeated the Rangers 5-4 in 14 innings. (Photo by Brad Mangin /MLB Photos via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 17: Mark Teixeira #23 of the Texas Rangers bats during the game against the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum on July 17, 2005 in Oakland, California. The A's defeated the Rangers 5-4 in 14 innings. (Photo by Brad Mangin /MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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#7- Buddy Bell Traded to Cincinnati  (1985)

After playing All-Star caliber 3B for Texas, the Rangers shipped Buddy Bell and minor league outfielder Duane Walker to Cincinnati for starting pitcher Jeff Russell.  Russell had just led the NL with 18 losses but, the Rangers thought Russell could help in either a starting or relief role.

Bell played four seasons in Cincinnati and one in Houston before returning to Texas as a 37-year-old free agent in 1989.

In 1985, Jeff Russell started 13 uneventful games for the Rangers.  The next season, Russell was moved to the Rangers bullpen where he became an all-star.  Russell pitched six of the next seven seasons out of the Rangers bullpen.  As an all-star in 1989, Russell led the AL with 66 games finished and 38 saves.  He also had a minuscule 1.98 ERA.

In 1992, Russell was traded with Ruben Sierra and Bobby Witt in one of the worst trades in Rangers history.  The Rangers received Jose Canseco, a players who appeared well past his prime by the age of 27.

Russell returned to the Rangers as a free agent in 1995 and pitched two more years out of the Texas bullpen before retiring at the age of 34.

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