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MLB Trade Deadline: 15 biggest names on the market

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 19, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Texas Rangers pinch hitter Jurickson Profar (19) celebrates after hitting a game winning two run single off of St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Matt Bowman (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. The Rangers won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 19, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Texas Rangers pinch hitter Jurickson Profar (19) celebrates after hitting a game winning two run single off of St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Matt Bowman (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Busch Stadium. The Rangers won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

13. Jurickson Profar, INF, Texas Rangers

At 48-27, the Rangers have clearly separated themselves as World Series contenders, and will be looking to fill a couple of weaknesses at the deadline. Texas has the added luxury of a great farm system with not enough playing time to go around, which makes a couple of its prospects attractive trade chips.

Along with outfielder Joey Gallo, Profar could be a piece who headlines a package to get one of the bigger names available. After losing nearly two full seasons of his young career to injury, Profar is quickly becoming one of the best comeback stories of 2016.

Profar rose rapidly through the Rangers system after signing with Texas as a teenager in 2009, was rated by many as the top prospect in all of baseball prior to the 2012 season, and reached the Majors in 2013. Unfortunately, Profar missed the entire 2014 season with numerous shoulder problems, and the recurring injury limited him to 32 minor league games last year.

Although Profar is only 23 years old, it was fair to question what sort of future he had in the Majors after the injury problems. With low expectations, Profar hit fairly well in Triple-A to begin the year, and Rougned Odor’s suspension game him an opportunity to start briefly in the Majors.

In 22 games since, Profar has a 136 wRC+ and has accumulated 0.6 WAR according to FanGraphs. With Odor back, Profar has taken on a utility role all around the infield, but still finds himself out of the lineup most days.

There just might not be enough playing time in Texas this year for Profar, and the club could use him to get a star player back, so he will likely at least be floated as a trade chip. Texas needs another starter, along with help in the bullpen and at catcher, meaning Profar might be able to return a package of players.

Next: 12. Josh Reddick, OF, Oakland Athletics

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