The Cincinnati Reds have exactly what the Texas Rangers need, now that the Rangers have seen their starting rotation further hit by injuries.
The Reds gave rotation opportunities to Dan Straily and Brandon Finnegan to start the 2016 season.Both have proven they can start in the majors.
Straily and Finnegan both may find themselves on the outside looking in at the Reds’ rotation next year. Their organizational value to the Reds may never be higher than it is right now while they are still starters.
The Reds could very well face a similar dilemma with Anthony DeSclafani and John Lamb in 2017. Much of how the Reds view current starters in their rotation depends upon whether or not they slot Raisel Iglesias as a starter or reliever for the future.
That view also depends if the Reds decide Cody Reed, Robert Stephenson and Amir Garrett are potential front-end starters as early as 2017, capable of joining a healthy Homer Bailey.
The starter surplus for the Reds is just what the Rangers need to consider by this trade deadline. With Derek Holland and Colby Lewis just knocked out of action for the foreseeable future, the Rangers are further hampered by the injury status of Yu Darvish and A.J. Griffin.
The Rangers have experienced starters in Nick Martinez and Chi Chi Gonzalez available to them to join Cole Hamels and Martin Perez. But adding a polished starter having a good season like one the Reds have to offer could be enough to strike a deal.
The Reds probably can’t get Joey Gallo from the Rangers, but middle infielder Jurickson Profar might be had for the right price.
With Elvis Andrus entrenched at shortstop through the 2022 season and Rougned Odor the likely second baseman of the Rangers’ future, Profar is without a position.
The 23-year-old Profar is a much better shortstop prospect than Reds’ utility player Jose Peraza and could slide into the position right away if the Reds decide to deal current shortstop Zack Cozart.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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