Former MLB GM tabs Rangers as perfect landing spot for Reds Swiss army knife

Right-handed power hitters are an area of need for the majority of potential buyers at the trade deadline on August 3. The Cincinnati Reds are 43-52 and have such a player who has been tied to the Texas Rangers in recent rumors.

Former GM and baseball insider Jim Bowden believes that utility man extraordinaire Spencer Steer would look good in a Ranger uniform and that they should make a concerted effort to acquire him. We tend to agree, and there are several reasons why Steer would be a good fit at Gobe Life Field for a second-half run at the playoffs.

Spencer Steer is a right-handed version of Josh Smith but is more consistent and hits for more power

For the 2026 season, Steer has clubbed 16 HRs and collected 40 RBIs, splitting 92 games between first base, second base, third base, and all three outfield positions. His slash of .250/.330/.441 is on par with that of Jake Burger and a tad below those of Josh Jung and Wyatt Langford. He also comes with two additional years of club control beyond 2026.

Imagine the versatility that a player like Steer would give Skip Schumaker. He could be the solution to DH against lefties platooning with Joc Pederson. You could slide him in at first and move Burger to DH on occasion, or move him to one of the outfield spots to be an insurance policy for Langford should he sustain another injury. Like Justin Foscue, he kills lefties with a 1.039 OPS over 95 plate appearances against them.

Make no mistake, however, any trade for Steer would be for a guy who is going to play every day somewhere. He'll get his at-bats regardless, having logged between 550 and 660 with Cincinnati over the last three seasons. Something Rangers utility man Josh Smith has been unable to do over his five seasons in Arlington.

The Rangers would likely have to part with a talented prospect and possibly some cash considerations. Still, Steer is not the kind of player who would require any of the team's top minor leaguers, like Sebastian Walcott or Caden Scarborough, in return.

The problem is that since the Gore deal, the Rangers don't have many attractive prospects to choose from. The only pitchers who might move the needle for the Reds are Emiliano Teodo and possibly Seong-Jun Kim, who, like Josh Owens, is an intriguing 19-year-old South Korean two-way player in the rookie-level leagues and shows a lot of upside.

Still, Chris Young should find a way to try and bring Steer to Arlington. The Rangers need another potent right-handed bat, and with his versatility combined with that of Ezequiel Duran, Skip Schumaker's lineup options would be endless.

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