A few weeks ago we discussed the possibility of the Texas Rangers trading one of their middle infielders due to the presence of Elvis Andrus and Rougned Odor at the MLB level and Jurickson Profar in the minors. Rumors have surrounded both Andrus and Profar in the past. Might they resurface soon?
Andrus was the subject of trade rumors last offseason, but it's hard to believe the Rangers could find a suitor for the 27-year-old since he's owed $103 million through the 2022 season, not including a $15 million vesting option for 2023. Andrus has spent seven years in the MLB and owns a stat line of just .270/.331/.347 with 573 runs scored, 27 home runs and 367 RBI in 1,074 games.
As a result, there's been some speculation the Rangers could trade Profar. However, they probably wouldn't consider the idea right now because the MLB's former No. 1 overall prospect has played just 179 professional games since the beginning of 2013 due to significant shoulder injuries.
The 22-year-old underwent shoulder surgery last offseason and missed most of 2015. He played 12 games in the minors and then logged 20 in the Arizona Fall League. As a result, if anything, Texas would wait for Profar to fully restore his health and get back to playing at a high level before they start discussing trades with other clubs.
How likely is that scenario?
Here's what a fan asked Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News:
"With all the depth up the middle currently - Odor, Andrus, Profar*, Alberto - any chance one of those guys isn't a Ranger by the trade deadline in July?"
And here was Grant's answer:
"Very good chance, particularly if Profar stays healthy. If he does, I really could see the possibility of the Rangers and Cincinnati talking about a Profar for a fully-recovered Homer Bailey. One of the reasons for the Rangers to not go chasing after guys this winter is that their best potential trade chip is months away from recovering full value. They proved last year that, at least financially, it's more prudent to go out and acquire ace-type pitchers in mid-season rather than during free agency. Bailey, coming back from Tommy John surgery, is signed through 2019 with a team option for 2020. Those guys with top-tier talent and long-term control are the kinds of guys the Rangers are willing to trade elite prospects in order to obtain."
(We won't elaborate on Grant's suggestion of Profar for Bailey, but deals of that type are good to keep in mind.)
General manager Jon Daniels said last month that Profar isn't going anywhere, but previous rumors indicated the team was discussing an extension with Odor, which, if fulfilled, would lock up the middle infield for quite some time. Additionally, Profar logged 94 games in the MLB when he was 19 and 20 years old, so it's clear the team was attempting to get him acclimated to the big leagues before he was sidelined with injuries.
Manager Jeff Banister said last week that he would "reserve my judgment and what my expectations are" for Profar since he has yet to see him in action extensively.
Only time will tell in terms of how the Rangers opt to address this logjam, but Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News thinks he knows what direction the team may go in.
"I don't see where [Profar] fits right now. Odor will be a building block for the future at second base and the contract of Andrus might be difficult to move. That makes Profar a bargaining chip."
