The 10 Most Influential Trades in Texas Rangers History

#9- Julio Franco Acquired from Cleveland (1988)

On December 6, 1988, the Texas Rangers shipped 22-year old second baseman Jerry Browne, 4-year veteran centerfielder Oddibie McDowell, and starting first baseman Pete O’Brien to Cleveland for Julio Franco, with the idea that Franco would become the Rangers everyday second baseman.

Browne played three seasons in Cleveland, two seasons in Oakland, and two seasons in Florida before retiring at age 29.

McDowell split one season between Cleveland and Atlanta, played one more season in Atlanta, then returned to the Rangers in 1994.  McDowell played 59 games for the Rangers in 1994 then retired at the age of 31.

O’Brien played on season in Cleveland followed by four seasons in Seattle then retired at the age of 35.

Julio Franco became an all-star with the Rangers.  He represented the Rangers at the 1989, 1990, and 1991 all-star games.  In 1991, Franco won an AL batting title when he hit for a .341 AVG.  In his five seasons in Texas, Franco hit for a .307 AVG, collected 725 hits, had 55 HR, 331 RBI’s, and collected 98 SB.

On October 27, 1993, Franco was granted free agency then signed with the Chicago White Sox.

For his career, Franco played 23 seasons of MLB for eight teams.  He played 2,527 games, collected 2,586 hits, hit 173 HR, added 1,194 RBI’s, 281 SB, hit for a .298 AVG, and had a .365 OBP.  Franco finally retired from MLB in 2007, at the age of 48.