Josh H. Smith debut, Glenn Otto pitching: a Texas Rangers trade triumph

First, it was Glenn Otto. Now, it’s Josh H. Smith. As the Texas Rangers promote more prospect talent from the blockbuster Joey Gallo trade with the Yankees last summer (combined with Gallo’s general Yankees futility), it’s becoming clear who won this major deadline deal from 2021.

As Otto took the mound on Memorial Day in Arlington against the Tampa Bay Rays, Smith debuted at third base, taking the place of Brad Miller on the roster, who was placed on the IL. The result was glorious, with the Rangers winning, Otto dealing a solid six innings and Smith notching his first career big league hits.

Glenn Otto and Josh H. Smith took the field together for the Texas Rangers less than a year after being traded from the Yankees

It’s incredible to think that less than a year after the Gallo deal went down between Texas and New York, we’d see two of the four prospects going to the Rangers already in the big leagues. And we haven’t even mentioned Ezequiel Duran, lauded as the highest upside play in the trade, who should make his Arlington debut later this season or early in 2023, as he’s raking down in AA Frisco.

https://twitter.com/NolanWritinFS/status/1531447351029780481

Rarely do we find ourselves talking about the results of a trade involving prospects until down the line, when the talent is developed and ready for the highest level of competition. But Smith and Otto have proven themselves as prepared for the Show, with Duran not far behind. So even if Trevor Hauver, the fourth prospect included in the deal, never sees the field with the Texas Rangers, having three out of four young guns hit is special.

The trade return many Texas Rangers fans saw as light for Gallo initially has blossomed into a triumph less than a year after the transaction was finalized. Jon Daniels and Chris Young put on a true trade masterclass with this one, setting themselves up both now and in the future with players who will impact the big league team positively.

An effort to be commended, for sure!