Several contending teams are looking to bolster their rotation as the 2017 MLB Trade Deadline nears. With around 15 franchises firmly entrenched in playoff mode and others looking to sell, it is quite clear which team has which role this summer.
One of the teams that became an unexpected seller is the Texas Rangers. Texas won the AL West in 2016, but this year they’ve been a disappointment. As of Friday, they sit in third place and 18 games behind the Houston Astros for the Division lead. Furthermore, they also are 4.5 games behind the second Wild Card spot. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but there three teams ahead of them.
Knowing they have their work cut out, the Rangers decided to sell some of their players and look for 2018 instead. And their biggest asset is Yu Darvish, the 30-year-old starter who will be a free agent once the season ends. Since the Rangers are not likely to re-sign him, they have decided to put him on the market. The only question here is – where does he fit best?
First of all, players like Darvish can fit in any contending rotation. But the trick here does not really relate to where he’ll fit. Darvish has a 10-team no-trade list, so this limits the Rangers’ options considerably. The list features several World Series candidates such as the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox, and the Cleveland Indians. All three teams are reportedly looking to trade for another starter.
This limits the scenario for both Darvish and the Rangers. But as of right now, the Dodgers seem the favorites to land the Japanese ace. They have the prospects to get a deal done, enough payroll to potentially re-sign him next season, and let’s face: it’s World-Series-or-bust for them this season. They currently have the best record in the NL at 71-31 as well. Los Angeles has a good roster as it is, but there’s no doubt Darvish would increase their chances at a World Series run considerably.
The Dodgers have competition, however. This Friday it was reported that the New York Yankees have decided to enter the fray for Darvish as well. And even though they don’t have enough prospects in comparison to LA, they have Gleyber Torres. The infielder is currently out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but he’s the best prospect in baseball following Yoan Moncada’s call-up by the Chicago White Sox. The Rangers would likely ask for either him or Clint Frazier on any deal.
The Washington Nationals were among the candidates to land Darvish as well, but they are not interested anymore. The fact that Darvish is an impending free agent scared them, but that’s understandable. After all, no team wants to jeopardize their future for a rental player that might or not pan out. Especially considering pitchers are quite volatile.
Right now, it seems either the Dodgers or the Yankees have the best odds to land the Japanese superstar. The one thing we know is that we will see a bidding war for his services sooner than later. And that should add some spice to a trade deadline that has already several important moves in the past few days.