Just like at this time last year, when the Texas Rangers shipped away Ian Kinsler to Detroit in a surprise move, the Rangers have a perceived surplus of middle infielders who can play, and could use it as trade fodder to go get some guys to fill needs elsewhere, either in the starting rotation or in the corner outfield spots.
Jurickson Profar was supposed to take over at second base for Kinsler last year, but never saw a major league game after dealing with injury from spring training on and missing the entire season. In the meantime, a 20-year-old named Rougned Odor slid into that spot and ended up making a great case for himself to play extensively in 2015.
Elvis Andrus was the Rangers' defensive rock at shortstop, but he didn't have a great year in the field and was awful at the plate. So what are the Rangers to do? Well, it's been suggested several times that the Rangers would like to move Andrus, and his big contract, and turn the keys over to two kids in Profar and Odor, who would man the middle infield for the next 15 years.
What team would want to take on Andrus' big deal? How 'bout the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have recently supplanted the Yankees as the team in baseball who will spend money to no ends to win a championship — something that they've yet to do in the recent spending spree.
The Dodgers have some interesting pieces for the Rangers, none more interesting than outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, who could both play in the corner outfield and free up an outfield surplus in Los Angeles.
Fred Roggin, of The Beast 980 in Los Angeles, said "sources" say the Dodgers are talking with the Rangers about a possible deal for Andrus. I have no idea who Fred Roggin is, or what kind of credibility he has, but he's called "The Dean of L.A. sports," so he must have some insight, right?
It'll be interesting to see what happens, but the Rangers will either have to trade someone or play either Odor or Profar, who just two years ago was the top prospect in baseball, in the minors, which seems like it'd be a waste.
