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: Yovani Gallardo, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers
Gallardo is likely the biggest name pitcher the Rangers will realistically go after now that Philadelphia has made it known any trade involving Cliff Lee would require a large bounty in return, probably including Jurickson Profar, which the Rangers wouldn't go for. Gallardo, who was drafted out of Fort Worth Trimble Tech high school, has been a key piece of the Brewers' rotation for years now, but is in the midst of his worst season as a big-leaguer, posting a 6-7 record with little run support and a 4.20 ERA and 80 strikeouts.
Gallardo's career numbers are more appetizing with a 75-50 record and a career 3.69 ERA over his four and a half seasons as a regular starter. He's at the prime age of 27 and could possibly benefit from a change of scenery after putting up 200-plus innings in the past two seasons with the Brewers.
He'd also be under team control through 2015 with a team option and is represented by former Rangers pitcher Bobby Witt, not that that could play any role. His contract is back-loaded meaning he'd be owed $11.25 million in 2014 and $13 million in 2015 if the club were to exercise their option. He's set to make $7.75 million this season and the Rangers would probably have to pay half of that. The benefit here and what makes him appealing is the fact he's in the midst of a career-worst season with obvious talent and could possibly be had at a reduced rate with one, possibly two more seasons of club control.
