From all we've heard over the past week or so, the only name the Texas Rangers might be acquiring over the next week will be starting pitcher Cole Hamels, who is far from a traditional rental and would be controllable for years to come atop the Rangers' rotation with Yu Darvish, who will return next season from Tommy John surgery.
A career National Leaguer, Gallardo was acquired from Milwaukee this winter and did something not many guys in his shoes have been able to do — succeed in the American League. Gallardo is having a career year from an ERA perspective, as he currently is sitting pretty with a 2.91 ERA over his first 20 starts of the season.
Gallardo would be a great fit for an NL team, and the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly interested in him. The defending AL champ Kansas City Royals seem to be in, too, especially after starter Jason Vargas went down with an elbow injury this week and must undergo Tommy John surgery.
There have, in fact, been predictions that Gallardo will be the next player moved after the pitching dominoes began to fall on Thursday with the trade of Scott Kazmir from Oakland to Houston. Gallardo, who went to high school in Fort Worth, has made it known he loves being here and wants to remain here when he hits free agency this winter.
The Rangers might as well trade him, get a couple of prospects for him, and then if they want to, they can re-sign him this winter.
