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The Texas Rangers offense hasn't performed well at all to start the season, as they've averaged just 3.2 runs per game through the opening 35 games.
While Leody Taveras hasn't been poor in centerfield, he certainly hasn't been great either with just a .241 average, one home run and eight RBI. That prompted the team to put him on waivers on Sunday.
Former baseball general manager Jim Bowden believes the Rangers should acquire Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox (subscription required).
"The Rangers were built to win now and a trade for Robert could make sense as he's only 27 but under team control through 2027," wrote Bowden for The Athletic. "He's off to a dismal start, hitting just .195, but has five home runs and league-leading 15 stolen bases. ... Opposing teams can pitch around him because the White Sox have no one in their lineup to protect him. He could benefit from a change of scenery."
Bowden took it one step further by even proposing a mock trade between the two teams. Here is the full proposal:
- Texas Rangers acquire: OF Luis Robert Jr.
- Chicago White Sox acquire: CF Dylan Dreiling (Rangers No. 9 prospect) and LHP Kohl Drake (Rangers No. 12 prospect)
"Perhaps a package of Dreiling and Drake could get this deal done," wrote Bowden. "Dreiling, a second-round pick in last year's draft, would be headliner going back to Chicago in this proposed trade. A left-handed power hitter, he has slashed .250/.350/.364 with four doubles, two homers and six steals this season at High A.
"Dreiling, 22, profiles as a 25-home run hitter who can play all three outfield positions. Drake, 24, has a 3.31 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings this season in Double A. He's averaged 12.3 strikeouts per nine innings and 3.2 walks per nine since making his pro debut in 2023."
Currently, the Rangers are 17-18 and in fourth place in the American League West. They are four games behind the division-leading Mariners. Adding Robert Jr. would give them a chance to get hot and slowly climb their way up the ladder to push for a division title.
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About the writer
Drew VonScio is a Newsweek contributor based in Pittsburgh, PA. His focus is on MLB content. Drew has been with ... Read more