In baseball, there are trades that affect the team, and then there are trades that affect both the team and their fanbase. The Texas Rangers have just made a trade that falls in the latter category. The team announced on Saturday that they have traded shortstop and longtime fan favorite Elvis Andrus to the Oakland Athletics. The A’s are sending outfielder/designated hitter Khris Davis and catcher Jonah Heim to Arlington in the deal.
A Long Tenure
During his 12 years in Texas, Andrus earned two All-Star selections and led the Rangers to the World Series in 2010 against the San Francisco Giants. Andrus dazzled Rangers fans with his defense and was very solid with his bat. Andrus is a career .274 hitter and had his best season average wise in 2016 when he hit .302 with eight home runs and 69 RBI. In 2017, he set a career-high in home runs with 20. In the pandemic shortened 2020 season, he hit just .194 with three home runs and seven RBI in 29 games. Despite his declining numbers in recent years, he will be missed in Texas. Perhaps, he’ll see new life in Oakland.
Going the Other Way
Meanwhile, the Rangers are receiving outfielder/designated hitter Khris Davis, catching prospect Jonah Heim, and right-hander Dane Acker in the deal. Texas is also sending MiLB catcher Aramis Garcia to the A’s along with cash considerations. The Rangers have kept busy in the winter months, and this is definitely their most significant move yet. Trading away a player who is arguably the face of your franchise is never easy. They are doing what they can to put a winning ball club on the field, and this could be the start. The main question is who will the Rangers pencil into the six-hole on Opening Day? Time will tell.
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