The Texas Rangers are 17-18 to start the year and could be looking for some players to give them a boost near the trade deadline. Center field is suddenly a spot the team could use help with.
The Rangers placed Leody Taveras on waivers on Sunday. He had been with the team since 202 and is slashing .241/.259/.342 with one homer, eight RBIs and six steals in 30 games. He won a World Series with the team in 2023 and had made 24 starts in center field this season. Josh Smith figures to see more time in his place now.
Smith has started 26 games this year, primarily at shortstop. While his bat has been good, the Rangers could eye a player like Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden suggested the team could make this trade to land Robert:
- Rangers receive: outfielder Luis Robert Jr.
- White Sox receive: outfielder Dylan Dreiling and left-handed pitcher Kohl Drake
“The Rangers were built to win now and a trade for Robert could make sense as he’s only 27 but under team control through 2027,” wrote Bowden. “(Robert will make $15 million this season and has $20 million team options for the next two years.) He’s off to a dismal start, hitting just .195, but has five home runs and league-leading 15 stolen bases. He had 36 doubles, 28 homers and 20 stolen bases during an All-Star 2023 season and also has a Gold Glove Award (2020) on his resume. Opposing teams can pitch around him because the White Sox have no one in their lineup to protect him. He could benefit from a change of scenery.”
Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp
In his last nine games, he is slashing .333/.450/.636 with three home runs, eight stolen bases and seven walks. His health has held him back, but he showed the player he can be when he’s healthy during his 2023 All-Star campaign. He has a few years of club control, so he would not be a cheap acquisition.
Dreiling and Drake are the team’s No.9 and No.12 prospects, respectively. The could be good pieces for the White Sox to build around in the future. However, if Robert stays hot at the plate, the asking price could go up.
More MLB: Red Sox could swing trade for $34M surprise candidate to replace Triston Casas
