This should be the Rangers line in the sand offer for dream trade target Dalton Rushing

ESPN's Jeff Passan has listed LA Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing as the Rangers' "dream match" at the trade deadline, citing the team's lack of a quality hitting backstop. It seems far-fetched, hence the "dream" aspect of Passan's projection, but what if the Rangers actually did pursue the up-and-coming Dodger catcher who has upped his game, getting regular playing time because of an injury to starter and All-Star Will Smith?

It's not as if Rushing is a proven commodity, as he is midway through his second big league season. So, what is he worth if you're Chris Young and working with a restricted budget from Ray Davis and a bottom-ranked farm system? Let's discuss some possible options and a "line in the sand" of how much the Rangers should part with to potentially upgrade offensively at catcher.

What should the Rangers' "line in the sand" be for rising slugging catcher Dalton Rushing of the Dodgers

If we're being honest, the Rangers' catching corps has not been an asset either offensively or defensively so far in 2026. Danny Jansen was slashing well below his career marks at .171/.277/.309 before going on the IL on June 3 with a right forearm strain. Kyle Higashioka had a big homer heading into the All-Star break, but has been below average at the plate and a liability keeping baserunners honest.

Elias Diaz has been a pleasant surprise filling in for Jansen, but he is not a long-term solution. Then there's Rushing, who's slashing .254/.337/.475 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in just 181 at-bats so far this season. His .812 OPS would be 3rd on the Rangers right now behind everyday players Josh Jung and Wyatt Langford.

Rushing is considered an average-to-below-average defensive catcher by most metrics, which is why his name continues to pop up in trade rumors. His value is attached primarily to his bat, and he is behind one of the best backstops in the league, in Smith. So, what would be a suitable package offer from the Rangers to get an offense-first catcher who would add a lot of pop to the lineup?

The Dodger Empire is not about trading away talent for below-win-replacement players, so the Rangers would have to blow their doors off with any proposed offer. That means that Wyatt Langford, Sebastian Walcott, and Caden Scarborough would have to be the first names on the table. They would likely be included with either Jansen or Higgy to take Rushing's spot on the 26-man roster.

Young already sent most of the pipeline talent to the Nationals' farm system to get MacKenzie Gore, so the pickings are slim outside of Walcott and Scarborough. No one else on the Rangers farm would move the needle enough to pry Rushing away. But as far as a line in the sand, it has to be at any deal involving Walcott or Scarborough. They are special talents. Walcott will play either shortstop or third as a major leaguer and should be ready to contribute to the big club in 2027, and is already on the comeback trail from his UCL injury. Scarborough is the team's best pitching prospect in years.

Yes, the Rangers are in first place at the break, but there is no real indication that they have a magical 2023-type run in them, sitting at 49-47 with a -6 run differential. The hitting has been a tick better, but the pitching has been a tick worse. Just about everything about this team screams "average". It's not the time to mortgage the future, as .500 may be good enough in a down year for the American League, but not good enough to unseat the mighty Dodgers or whoever comes out of the National League. Trading away Walcott or Scarborough would feel like throwing good money away after bad in the Gore deal that gutted the system.

The maximum the Rangers should consider giving up is future draft picks, cash, and anyone on the roster outside of Wyatt Langford, Sebastian Walcott, and Caden Scarborough. It would feel like throwing good money after bad following what we've seen from Gore and the farm system gutting.

Jose Corniell, Winston Santos, AJ Russell, Dylan Dreiling, David Davalillo, and Aaron Zavala, and all big leaguers not named Wyatt Langford, are on the table, along with a combination of future picks and cash are fair game. Rushing is only making $790,000 and will be arbitration eligible in 2027, so it shouldn't cost that much.

In the end, the loaded Dodgers may decide to roll with what they've got and consider dealing Rushing after the season. The Rangers would be dealing from a point of weakness, regardless. Their line in the sand should be firm because beggars can't be choosers is an axiomatic truth, especially at the MLB trade deadline.

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