Rangers Pull off Shocking Trade with Oakland

Just a day after announcing the signing of RHP Mike Foltynewicz, they faced the hard decision on who to let go in order to make room for the Rangers newest pitcher. It’s been confirmed that the Rangers are parting ways with Elvis Andrus via a trade deal with the Oakland Athletics.

Rangers forced to make room and get rid of Elvis Andrus

Who did they get you may ask. That’s the interesting part, the Rangers are welcoming DH Khris Davis, catcher Jonah Heim and RHP Dane Acker. Along with Andrus, the Rangers are sending away cash and Aramis Garcia. This deal amounts to Rangers buying prospects from the A’s in exchange for bad contracts of veterans Andrus and Davis.

Overall, this is certainly an odd trade for the Rangers. It will be weird to see Elvis Andrus, a longtime Ranger and a franchise icon who helped guide the team to back-to-back AL pennants in 2010 and 2011, donning the green and gold of our rivals in Oakland this season.

As for Khris Davis, he comes to the Rangers after having killed them as a member of the A’s. He had a 48-homer season as recently as 2018, but hasn’t been nearly as good the last two years.

There’s no set role for Davis in 2021, therefore the the Rangers could choose to DFA the 33-year-old or hope he hits well in the first half of the season so that he can be dealt for more prospects in midsummer.

The highlight of the trade is catcher Jonah Heim and right-hander Dane Acker. MLB Pipeline named Heim No. 9 prospect. He’s known for his work behind the plate, which is definitely needed for a young pitching staff in 2021.

Texas needed someone strong behind the plate

Heim will likely unseat incumbent backstop Jose Trevino as the starter, which means prospect Sam Huff will begin the year in the minors.

Acker, who doesn’t crack the Athletics’ top prospect list, is an intriguing, strike-throwing right hander drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.

He currently projects as more of a back-end starter or reliever, but has the tools to become a legitimate asset.

Given the Texas Rangers’ lack of organizational pitching depth, this marks a significant acquisition for the franchise. The Texas Rangers shed Andrus’ remaining contract and pick up Khris Davis’ remaining money with a year left on his deal.

Parting ways with Andrus will be tough, even if his play has declined. At the same time, Khris Davis doesn’t really fit this current roster configuration, so we’ll see how the organization handles him.

On the other hand, acquiring Jonah Heim and Dane Acker isn’t to be taken lightly. Both of them have a chance to help the Rangers now and going forward, but especially Heim, who could now become the team’s starting catcher.

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