The Sunday Read: Aroldis Chapman is big. Rangers need to think bigger at deadline
(AP photo/Mark J. Terrill)
News never seems to be in short supply with the Rangers, and the past week has seen them making big splashing beyond just the local outlets.
The Rangers scored four All-Star starters Thursday, opened baseball’s biggest series of the weekend against the Astros, and consummated the first big deal of trading season with the addition of Aroldis Chapman.
The left-hander with a 100-mph heater and 317 career saves arrived Saturday to Globe Life Field and should be an option today in the third of four games against Houston. The Rangers lead the American League by five games over the Astros and want to pad the lead over the final eight games until the All-Star break.
Now that the Rangers are firmly in contention for the postseason with the third-best record in baseball and second-best in the AL, they can continue trying to upgrade the team. They must continue trying.
Judging by what general manager Chris Young said on Friday after the Chapman trade, the Aug. 1 trade deadline won’t be simply about contending this season.
“Our goal will be to improve this club for the short term and also to set us up for success in the long term as well,” Young said.
With a stout farm system, the Rangers have the prospects to land just about whoever they want. Having the No. 4 pick in the MLB Draft next weekend can help soften the loss of a key prospect or two.
Think controllable players instead of rentals like Chapman, who can be a free agent after the season.
It’s time to think big.
lets make a deal or 2 or 3 -in a heartbeat.
Max Scherzer. Controlled through end of 24. Big $.
David Robertson.. FA after 23. Reasonable $.
Mets take on 1/2 $ in cash & contracts, they get, Duran-Acuna–Harris-Osuna-Stephan-Odorizzi-LeClerc
Rangers take on all $, they send Acuna-Harris-Thompson-Osuna
Lot of moving parts I know. Hate to lose Duran, as would the clubhouse, but that would be softened by Max Scherzer presence and the promotion of Foscue who has nothing left to prove at AAA and who appears to be as fearless a hitter as Duran. Of course this assumes Cohen swaps out the $.
I would do all these deals, but the Padres wouldn’t just dump off Juan Soto for garbage. Duran is performing unsustainably with his BABIP, and he has 0 plate discipline. I think the deals are unrealistic in favor of Texas, but I love the idea of dumping Duran before he turns into Odor and trading Owen White before he turns into Cody Buckell. Maybe see if Chicago wants to deal Luis Robert for White, Duran, Harris, Acuna, and Saggese. SD is not winning this year, so Snell and Hader may be more realistic. I’d deal Owen White, Acuna, and some middle infielder other than Foscue for them and cash.