MLB Trade Deadline Recap: Texas Rangers

Now that the non-waiver deadline has passed, we’re taking a look back at what each team was able to accomplish before 4 p.m. ET on July 31. Next up in our recap series, the Texas Rangers.

Texas Rangers (52-56), 17 GB in AL West, 4.5 GB in AL Wild Card

ACQUIRED: RHP Jason Grilli (from TOR), 2B/OF Willie Calhoun (from LAD), RHP A.J. Alexy (from LAD), SS Brendon Davis (from LAD), RHP Tayler Scott (from MIL)

TRADED: RHP Yu Darvish (to LAD), C Jonathan Lucroy (to COL), RHP Jeremy Jeffress (to MIL),OF Eduard Pinto (to TOR)

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Though they were only a handful of games back in the wild card race, the Rangers waived the white flag and became the sellers in arguably the biggest deal that went down at the deadline’s buzzer. They traded ace Yu Darvish to the Dodgers for three prospects after the Dodgers went hard after the right-hander in the final hour. The teams cut the trade closer than many expected, including Darvish, who tweeted a selfie he took in Texas’ locker room saying he was still with the Rangers with 10 minutes left before being informed a few minutes later that he was dealt.

The Rangers also traded former All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy to the Rockies and reliever Jeremy Jeffress to the Brewers. These two deals came a year after the Rangers acquired both players from Milwaukee.

The Rangers received second baseman/outfielder Willie Calhoun, right-handed pitcher A.J. Alex and shortstop Brendon Davis in exchange for Darvish, who is a free agent after this season. Calhoun, who was recently ranked as the no. 74 prospect in baseball by MLB.com, is the prize of the package for Texas. The former 2015 fourth-rounder, who hit .298/.357/.574 with 23 homers in 99 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, is viewed as a strong power bat who is close to reaching the majors. However, his long-term position is in question. But, the deal overall gives them three potential big-league players instead of one had they kept Darvish and let him hit the open market because they would have only received a compensation pick following the second round of this year’s draft.

As for the Lucroy and Jeffress deals, the Rangers didn’t get any worthwhile prospects that could be potential upgrades in the long run. Lucroy was dealt for a player to be named later, while Jeffress was swapped out for Double-A reliever Taylor Scott. The return for Lucroy and Jeffress may appear underwhelming, considering they gave up three prospects last year to get both and two of them — Lewis Brinson and Luis Ortiz — are now among the top guys in the Brewers’ farm system. Plus, the two were massively underperforming this season.

Because of what they did at the deadline, the Rangers will probably not make any moves during the waiver deadline this month. Instead, they will have their eyes on trying to make a run with what they have. If that doesn’t pan out, they will try to retool in 2018.

For a complete list of our trade deadline recaps, click here.