MLB Trade Rumors: Danny Santana a trade target

MLB Trade Rumors: Danny Santana, the Texas Rangers utility man extraordinaire, is a player being targeted by potential buyers looking for versatile role players at the trade deadline, per Jon Morosi on Twitter.

Santana is a fascinating situation, as he can play pretty much every infield and outfield position, and is having a terrific season at the plate, slashing .320/.352/.566. The 28 year old switch hitter had a great rookie campaign for the Minnesota Twins in 2014, then was awful from 2015-18. He signed a minor league deal with the Rangers this offseason, impressed in spring training, and was added in April when the Rangers needed reinforcements.

Santana has the advantage of being both inexpensive in 2019 and under team control past this year — he’s not eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season. I have no clue what sort of package he might command, or what the Rangers would want for him. Texas is obviously in sell mode, but Santana could fill a number of potential holes in 2020 if the Rangers hang on to him, giving them more flexibility in regards to what position players they pursue via trade or free agency in the offseason.

I would be surprised if Santana were dealt simply because I think the Rangers like the idea of having him available in a Mark DeRosa role the next couple of years, and I have a hard time seeing a team give up significant value for him, in light of his limited track record. That said, if a team believes the “real” Danny Santana is close to what he’s done in 2019, they might be enticed to give up something similar to what Jurickson Profar fetched.