Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says there’s no question the Texas Rangers will have to move a middle infielder because not only do they have a logjam at the major league level, but two of the team’s top prospects also are middle infielders.
It’s not out of the question that both second baseman Rougned Odor and shortstop Luis Sardinas could be ready by 2015, says Rosenthal.
“Something has to give, which is why a trade of second baseman Ian Kinsler or shortstop Elvis Andrus is starting to look inevitable. Another option is to make infielder Jurickson Profar part of a larger package for, say, David Price or Giancarlo Stanton (whom the Marlins say is unavailable). But don’t count on it.”
Before the weekend, the Rangers let teams know they will consider trading infielders Kinsler, Andrus and highly regarded shortstop prospect Profar, according to major league sources.
They have also made it clear to other teams they are not trying to dump salary and are adamantly opposed to picking up any part of a contract in order to facilitate a trade.
Andrus, 24, will be difficult to move due to the nine years, $125 million he has remaining on his contract. He also has a no-trade clause that would allow him to block a deal to ten teams. He’s a solid defensive shortstop who stole a career high 42 bases this season, but he hit just .271/.328/.331.
Kinsler, 31, is more likely to get traded. He hit .277/.344/.413 with 13 homers, 42 doubles and 72 RBIs in 136 games last season and posted a 5.0 fWAR. He has $62 million guaranteed coming his way for the next four years.
Profar, 20, was rated as the top prospect in MLB entering the 2013 season. He played in 85 games for the Rangers and batted .234/.308/.336 with six home runs, 11 doubles and 27 RBI.
General manager Jon Daniels has been in touch with other clubs and is looking for offensive help at left field, catcher, and first base.
