Texas Rangers top prospect Joey Gallo made his MLB debut on Tuesday and went 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a home run, four RBIs and a walk. If he manages to maintain consistent and noteworthy offensive production, will the team consider trading Adrian Beltre to make a permanent spot for him?
Just to be clear, this has not been discussed by executives. The question was posed on the Baseball Tonight Podcast with Buster Olney and the ESPN Insider based his response on what he's heard from around the MLB. Beltre was previously mentioned in trade rumors when the Rangers were struggling in the beginning of the season, but they've rebounded well and now own a winning record.
General manager Jon Daniels said Gallo's promotion was for the short-term as Beltre serves a 15-day stint on the disabled list because of a sprained thumb, but the organization's top prospect has already turned heads and may continue to do so. Could he force Beltre out of Arlington?
"I don't think that's going to be the case," Olney said. "I think the plan as of this moment is still, when Beltre comes back, to send Gallo to the minor leagues and then they'll call him up later, although the Josh Hamilton injury certainly allows the Rangers to think about doing some other things, like perhaps putting Gallo at first base or sending Mitch Moreland to the outfield. Or vice versa. Maybe you put Gallo in the outfield.
"But here's the thing. Increasingly, as Beltre gets closer to the end of his career, I think the Rangers look at him as a legacy player. As a guy who, when he goes in the Hall of Fame, they'd like him to have a Texas Rangers cap. And that's why, from my understanding, unless there was an absolutely perfect storm situation that developed, like if the Rangers fell out of it and somebody made a huge offer for Beltre, I think he's going to finish his career with the Rangers."
With that being said, it's still a possibility, as anything is before the trade deadline. The Rangers do sit 5.5 games behind the first-place Houston Astros in the AL West and will continue to compete with the Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics. Beltre is earning $16 million this season and $18 million next season before he becomes a free agent, which the team wouldn't need to pay if they fall further out of the playoff race.
There are a few clubs that could be in need of third base help as the deadline approaches: the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. Let's take a look at their situations.
Mets - David Wright is still out as he deals with spinal stenosis and there's no timetable for his return. On top of that, Daniel Murphy, who has filled in at third during Wright's absence, left last night's game with tightness in his left quad. Murphy will hit free agency after the season and depending on the severity of Wright's injury (we still don't know much), Beltre could be a fit in New York if the Mets manage to find out bad news about Wright's long-term health before the deadline. Such a deal isn't likely, but as the Mets continue to fight for a playoff spot it could be considered.
Giants : talked about this
Padres - We can never really rule out San Diego, right? General manager A.J. Preller showed the baseball world this offseason that he is not afraid to make deals, and as the Pads (27-28) look to hang in the NL West with the Dodgers and Giants, Preller still might be looking to upgrade at the deadline. Will Middlebrooks hasn't exactly been the answer for them. He's batting just .241/.271/.412/.682 with 19 runs scored, 7 home runs and 24 RBIs. If the Padres remain in contention and Middlebrooks doesn't display consistency at the plate through the month of July then Preller may look to make a deal on the market.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal noted in the beginning of the season that the Rangers could trade anyone if they fall out of contention, so the possibility will be speculated until the deadline passes.
