Rangers Still Have Middle Infield Flexibility

We did a series a couple of weeks ago highlighting the middle infield logjam the Texas Rangers had on their big-league roster with Elvis Andrus, Jurickson Profar and Ian Kinsler.

Well, now one of those pieces is gone as the Rangers dealt Kinsler to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday night and got slugger Prince Fielder back in return.

After the deal, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said Profar would still have to win the second base job, which could just be window dressing on Daniels' part, but make no mistake, the Rangers still have flexibility in the middle infield and have gone on record as still being in the market to possibly move Andrus or Profar if the right deal came along.

Though they aren't ready to hit the big leagues in 2014, prospects Rougned Odor and Luis Sardinas are both highly thought of middle infield prospects, and could possibly be important pieces in a trade for a big name. If the Rangers decide to still deal Profar, someone else could be brought in this year and then the Rangers could hope one of those would be ready to step into the lineup in Arlington by 2015.

The idea has been tossed around that the Rangers could be in the market to sign mega free agent Robinson Cano, the best offensive second baseman in the league. That's a long shot but the Rangers could easily flip Profar or Andrus (and slide Profar to shortstop) for a marquee name if they did bring in Cano at second.

The Rangers aren't finished, folks, so don't believe they are for a second — no pun intended.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us