Trade Deadline Target: Justin Ruggiano

The Texas Rangers have been serious players at the MLB trade deadline since Jon Daniels became the club's general manager, and this year will be no different. Let's take a look at a possible Rangers target for the July 31 deadline.

Target: Justin Ruggiano, OF, Miami Marlins

The numbers aren't staggering, but this could be a cheap option for another right-handed bat to add to the Rangers' lineup, and make no mistake, the Rangers need another right-handed power bat, regardless of pedigree. No, he's nothing like his teammate Giancarlo Stanton, but Ruggiano can give the ball a ride. Even though he's hitting just .212 this season, he does have 12 home runs and 32 RBIs.

Yes, this would be more of a platoon guy, possibly to platoon with a healthy Jeff Baker. But Ruggiano has shown he can be a player at the big-league level after a career at Texas A&M. After getting called up by the Marlins last season, he hit .313 with 13 homers in 91 games and could benefit from playing in the hitter's paradise that is Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Again, is this a top-3 or even top-7 or 8 move that Jon Daniels wants to make? No. But there have been vagabond bats added in recent years by Daniels that have played a role in helping the Rangers excel late in the season, guys like Jeff Francouer.

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us