MLB trades are heating up, but Rangers and Giants deliver a dud
MLB trade action is sure to heat up over the next couple weeks, but the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants didn’t do much to move the needle on Sunday.
Manny Machado. Noah Syndergaard. Josh Donaldson. Brian Dozier. J.A. Happ. Jose Abreu. Adrian Beltre. These are some of the notable names contending teams are in line to make a move for as the MLB trade deadline gets closer at the end of the month.
On Sunday, the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants gave us some July trade action, but don’t get your hopes up.
The Rangers, who are 39-51 and 20.5 games back in the AL West entering Sunday, will get outfielder Austin Jackson, reliever Cory Gearrin and pitching prospect Jason Bahr. The Giants, for their trouble, will get a dreaded and loathed “player to be named later” or cash considerations.
The Giants are in some position to make a push toward a playoff spot, at 4.5 games back in the NL West and 5.5 back in the Wild Card race going into Sunday. But they are the team giving up the tangible assets in this trade, as much as Jackson (.240/.309/.295 slash-line, 13 RBI and two stolen bases this season-165 plate appearances), Gearrin (4.20 ERA over 35 appearances) and Bahr (23 years old and never pitched above High-A) can be considered great assets.
OFFICIAL:#SFGiants have traded Cory Gearrin, Austin Jackson & minor league RHP Jason Bahr to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Ray Black & Steven Duggar contracts purchased.
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) July 8, 2018
Gearrin does have a 9.3 K/9 rate this year, and he posted a 1.99 ERA out of the Giants’ bullpen last year. So I’m sure he’ll pitch some very important, high leverage innings over the rest of this year for a Rangers team marching toward 90 to 100 losses.
As it is, the Rangers don’t plan to keep Jackson.
Change the story line. Good chance Austin Jackson never makes it to Rangers. GM Jon Daniels told Jackson there would be limited playing time for him with Rangers and club could move him. Rangers have told Jackson to hold off on reporting to club.
— Gerry Fraley (@gfraley) July 8, 2018
By shedding Jackson the Giants cleared the way for top prospect Steven Duggar, who is in Sunday’s lineup for his major league debut hitting leadoff and playing centerfield. Gearrin’s departure will open the door for pitching prospect Ray Black, who was also called up.
The Rangers will also be absorbing the remainder of Jackson’s salary.
Per source, #Rangers taking on rest of A. Jax’s $3M in ‘18 and $3M in ‘19 to buy SP prospect in Bahr. Also like Gearrin in middle relief with several bullpen arms on DL and others likely to be traded. #SFGiants get luxury-tax relief; Gearrin owed balance of $1.675M. https://t.co/gFnm4Qil6k
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 8, 2018
Next: MLB Trade Rumors: 5 teams who should be all-in on Cole Hamels
It’s a purely financial transaction for the Giants, and the Rangers will immediately flip the most recognizable name in the deal. The action will definitely ramp up as bigger names keep getting bounced through the rumor mill, but this march toward the trade deadline is off to an incredibly dull start.