:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44214838/usa-today-8019668.0.jpg)
Texas Rangers rumors: Jorge Alfaro and Joey Gallo are off-limits, but just about any other Ranger prospect is apparently available, according to Ken Rosenthal on Twitter today.
Rosenthal issued a series of tweets on the Rangers' situation:
Sources: #Rangers open to trading better prospects in lieu of spending big on FAs. Gallo, Alfaro believed untouchable, but others in play.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 23, 2014
#Rangers remain open to trading any SS in right deal, but Andrus now least likely to move. Team believes he is headed for big year.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 23, 2014
#Rangers have spoken with #Braves about Justin Upton, as @Joelsherman1 said. Also have liked Upton in past. Pitching is more current focus.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 23, 2014
Several things there to talk about. The fact that Elvis is the least likely shortstop to be moved isn't that surprising, I don't think, especially given that this offseason's contracts are helping to put the Elvis contract into perspective. Of course, the folks who are hoping for Elvis to be dealt could see Rosenthal's tweet as the Rangers just posturing, but it seems quite unlikely that Elvis wouldn't be back next year.
As far as prospects go, the Rangers are in a position where they have a lot of guys who are a year or two away, particularly among their pitching...with Chi Chi Gonzalez, Jake Thompson, Luke Jackson, Alec Asher, Jerad Eickhoff, and Andrew Faulkner, you've got a number of intriguing arms who will start next season in AA or AAA, as well as holdovers like Nick Martinez and Nick Tepesch. The Rangers have to know that, to get the type of impact starter under control for a while they want to plug into the rotation behind Yu Darvish and Derek Holland, they're going to have to give up talent that will hurt to part with. That said, the amount of talent right there knocking on the door makes it easier to part with guys...you are more willing to part with a Chi Chi Gonzalez with Jackson and Thompson in place. You can deal a Luis Sardinas with Hanser Alberto also on the 40 man roster and the other shortstops hanging around in the system. You can give a Nomar Mazara in the right deal, knowing you have Gallo and Alfaro, as well as Ryan Cordell and Nick Williams and Lewis Brinson, in the pipeline.
Rosenthal, as we've discussed before, is pretty plugged in with the Ranger organization, and so his reports on these sorts of things tend to carry a little more weight than it would coming from someone else.
