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Atlanta Braves rumors: Any Rangers for the taking?

By Matthew Browning

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 24: The Texas Rangers logo to the entrance of the press box is shown before a game against the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 24, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 24: The Texas Rangers logo to the entrance of the press box is shown before a game against the Seattle Mariners at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on September 24, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images) /
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Atlanta Braves
HOUSTON, TX – JULY 28: Joey Galllo #13 of the Texas Rangers hits a three-run home run in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 28, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

There is a new team looking to go full-rebuild, as the Texas Rangers have joined the Seattle Mariners and to some degree, the Arizona Diamondbacks, as a team who is looking towards the future. Could Rangers players figure into Atlanta Braves rumors?

The Rangers are several years from contending and they have several players who could fetch quite a haul in the trade market. While teams like the Mariners (Mitch Haniger) and Diamondbacks (David Peralta) have better fits for the Braves, the Rangers have some players that could figure into Atlanta Braves rumors.

Let’s take a look at the players and potential cost it would be to acquire them.

Joey Gallo

It would be difficult to find someone in the game who has more raw power than Joey Gallo, who has hit 81 home runs in two seasons. The downside is the swing and misses and there are tons of them.

In 2017, he struck out 196 times and that number jumped to 207 last season. He doesn’t walk a ton, as his OBP in 2017 was .333 and lowered to .312 in 2018. While coming through the minors as a corner infielder, Gallo moved to left field last season.

As an infielder, Gallo was one of the worst defenders in the game. His defense improved as he transitioned to the outfield. For comparison’s sake: Nick Markakis had a defensive WAR last season of -0.7, while Gallo’s was -0.2. His average defensive runs saved was -3.

Not great by any stretch, but the question is: would the power be worth it?

His splits were as such:

vs. RHP–.204/.326/.478, with 25 homers and 64 RBIs
vs. LHP –.210/.279/.541 with 15 homers and 28 RBIs

Gallo is not arbitration eligible until 2020 and will not be a free agent until 2023.

What would it take to acquire Gallo?

That’s a difficult question to specifically answer, but the Rangers are seeking pitching, so perhaps a package headlined by one of the middle pitching prospects, plus a couple of more.

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