Jake Burger is proving he shouldn't be a Rangers change-of-scenery trade candidate

On June 9, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand named Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger as a change-of-scenery candidate at the trade deadline. Since then, Burger has slashed .333/.431/.567 with four home runs, two doubles, and 10 RBI in 72 plate appearances across 18 games. Sure, it's a small sample size, but it still shows the type of player Burger can be when he's at his best. For now, the Rangers should plan to keep Burger, not trade him.

Even though he had a rough April, Burger has had a solid season overall, worth 1.3 fWAR with a .257/.321/.446 (114 wRC+) slash line, 14 home runs, and +3 Defensive Runs Saved over 81 games. He's tracking to have the best season of his career since 2023, when he posted 2.3 fWAR and a .250/.309/.518 (121 wRC+) slash line with the Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins.

Rangers first baseman Jake Burger is producing when it matters most

Burger hasn't just been producing in low-leverage situations this season. In fact, he's been best with runners on base, slashing .290/.355/.500 (138 wRC+) with eight home runs, five doubles, and 44 RBI in 155 plate appearances. For a Rangers team that has struggled to score, ranking 25th in runs (340), trading one of the players who has actually produced when it matters seems like a mistake.

Taking it a step further, Burger has been a man on a mission in high-leverage situations. In the game's biggest moments, he's slashing .321/.382/.536 with a 149 wRC+ and two dingers.

With a 42-42 record, the Rangers have leapfrogged the Seattle Mariners for first place in the AL West and are tied with three teams for the third Wild Card spot. The team is in the thick of the playoff chase, and with president of baseball operations Chris Young probably feeling pressure after missing the postseason the last two years, the club seems likely to buy, not sell, at the trade deadline. The offseason acquisitions of MacKenzie Gore and Brandon Nimmo proved Young isn't afraid to make big moves and should be willing to keep his foot on the gas as long as the team remains in postseason contention through early August.

Burger has his warts, like not handling right-handed pitching particularly well, but overall, he's become a reliable run producer for a team that desperately needs guys who know how to drive runs in. That shouldn't be so easily discounted.

Former GM Jim Bowden wrote that the Rangers are seeking to add relievers and hitters at the deadline. While the bullpen has been fine, underlying metrics suggest it will regress. Meanwhile, the offense clearly needs help. While acquiring a big-name first baseman such as Willson Contreras would improve the Rangers' roster, it seems wise for them to use their assets to trade for hitters who play positions Texas needs to upgrade more, such as outfield and second base.

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