Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) celebrates his double with first base coach Hector Ortiz (4) against the Houston Astros during a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2017; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) celebrates his double with first base coach Hector Ortiz (4) against the Houston Astros during a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers: Leody Taveras

The Rangers may be forced to concede the AL West to the Astros at this point in the season. Houston is making a mockery of the division and is running away with it. A slow start should not have the Rangers punting on 2017. They still have a chance to claw back into the wild-card race.

Texas was aggressive at the deadline last season, adding Jonathan Lucroy, Jeremy Jeffress, and Carlos Beltran. Those trades hardly depleted one of the deepest farm systems in the game. The Rangers have mined Latin America for talent like no one else in baseball.

The month of June will dictate whether or not the Rangers are buying or selling at the trade deadline. Ownership has sunk a great deal of capital into this roster, so if they are within a few games of the Wild Card, the Rangers will be buying once again.

Their top trade chip is centerfielder Leody Taveras, a true five-tool prospect. He is a cousin of former MLB outfielder Willy Taveras, a speed and contact player. Taveras has the speed, but will hit for much more power than his kin. The 18-year-old, who signed for $2.1 million, already shows a mature approach at the plate that will help make him a high average/high OBP hitter when he fully develops.

The Rangers have not shied away from making aggressive trades with their top prospects the past two years. That is unlikely to chance this year if they stay close in the standings. Taveras is a prospect who could bring back an impact star to push this team back to the playoffs.

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