In Keith Law's latest article he talks about how the Rangers could probably get 2 top prospects for Andrus given the scarcity of options in the middle infield this winter. That got me wondering, would y'all rather look for an Andrus trade that would bring back someone who could help more the next two or three season or top prospects who could help for the next 6 or 7 years, though they would probably take longer to contribute at the same level? The first kind of deal I was thinking about would be something along the lines of the Upton or Price trades that have been discussed in these forums at length (and might require more than just Andrus in the case of Price). The prospect type of deal would be something like Oscar Taveres, Shelby Miller, and Matt Adams from the Cardinals. I don't think that would be an unreasonable return given how much Andrus would help them in the short run and the depth they have in their system plus all three could fill needs for us at some point this season or next. So those are just some suggestions but by no means exhaustive. Given the possibilities, which option would y'all prefer?

You're kidding-RIGHT??

The Card's could be a good fit in a Elvis for prospects deal. Both Taveras and Miller are big time prospects though. I can't imagine both would be included, maybe Carlos Martinez instead of Miller (which would still be a nice package). I also think teams are gun shy of Texiera type trades because of how well the Rangers did in that deal.

I would like to keep Elvis long term, but if they could get a deal like you proposed it would be hard to turn down.

I'm not interested in trading Elvis for prospects.

I'm not sure but I don't think it matters what you're interested in Andy.

Taveras and Miller are untouchable like Profar. I was thinking something like Adams OR Allen Craig, plus Lance Lynn OR Rosenthal, and maybe even Mitchell Boggs.

Is there an idiot here who believes Andrus gets traded for prospects. GOOD GRIEF! What an ignorant post.

Carlos, shut the fuck up. Wait, what's happening? Where am I?

If Elvis gets traded for prospects it will an almost Texeria type deal. He is a lot younger and a premium defensive short stop. In deed, there are very few teams where he would not be an upgrade at short stop defensively.

I do not have a good enough grasp of the players in other teams systems to even know what the Rangers could get for him.

The only caveat is that he is a Scott Boras Client and those guy typically do go the Free Agent route and that might make teams willing to give less for him because it would be doubtful they could sign him or figure if they wait one more year they get him for just cash

I would offer Andrus for Trout and Weaver.

I would offer Andrus for Trout and Weaver.

I think I agree with you Andy but I still have to confirm what i think with Scooby Dude.

Can't you guys debate this without Adam calling and waking me up? I've got to be at McDonalds at 6am. YAWWWNN

For the right MLB-ready or near-ready prospects, sure you trade him, even in a playoff mode. Several of the folks mentioned here project to be middle-of-the-order lefthanded bats. That could be *very* useful.

If you've got high-projection near-term prospects, then it's worth it even to take one step back to take 3 forward.

Wow, someone mocking me thought it was worth the trouble to double-submit when it looked like it didn't take the first time. Truly devoted to your trolling.

Unless you trade from strength you lose. The current team was built because someone was chasing Teixeira and screwed themselves. Having Andrus with Profar in the wings is a strength. Chasing a player offering more than they are worth and trying to outbid another team is weakness. Baseball is a game **and** a business. Those that only see the game part never win. Sit on Andrus and let someone chase him and grab what you can for now or later, whichever works best. Like it or not players will have to be moved because of the business side of baseball. Way too many teams have a former Ranger playing for them now who was acquired because of Ranger weakness in chasing that missing piece that actually ended up being a DUD. Teams are built through the system, free agents, accepting more than a player is worth in a trade, then as a last resort chasing a player for a trade. I like Andrus. I liked Tex. I also like what Tex did for us and is still doing ..... after the trade.

I agree lwayne and that's part of why I'm partial to trading Andrus for the kind of prospect package proposed in the initial post, though I also agree with Sam Hill that Carlos Martinez might need to be substituted for Shelby Miller to get the Cardinals to bite. It seems like trading Andrus for someone like Upton or Price, while definitely offering help now and for the next few years, would still minimize the total gains when you look at long term wins as well as cost. Prospects like Taveras and Miller/Martinez will just be hitting arbitration around the time the contracts of Price and Upton (or Andrus for that matter) run out, meaning if we wanted to pursue an Ellsbury or other high quality free agent in the future we'd still have the flexibility to do so. Moreover, both are close enough to the majors that there is far less risk of them flopping than there was even when we traded Tex (though I concede the franchise is in a different place than it was then). I understand the hesitation with trading Andrus for prospects when it looks like the Rangers still have a great shot of competing next season but both Adams and Miller are ready to contribute in a solid way and would represent upgrades over what we currently have. Also Taveras is knocking on the door and could be ready for a midseason or September call up as well. Overall, I don't think it's implausible, or even all that unlikely, that the wins gained by adding those three just next season would come close to what the Rangers would gain by adding a single current superstar, whether that be Upton, Price or someone else of their quality.

Very nice lwayne^^!

Do I think he gets traded for prospects? No. However, if the Pirates wanted to discuss Gerritt Cole, the Diamondbacks wanted to discuss Trevor Bauer or the Cardinals wanted to discuss Shelby Miller - my guess is the Rangers are listening. There are probably a handful of others that would grab their ear as well to see what it develops into...

If you were to tell me I could have Allen Craig, Oscar Taveras and my choice between Carlos Martinez/Trevor Rosenthal/Michael Wacha for Andrus...I would say where do I sign. You guys obviously haven't looked at these players. 1B and LF would immediately be solved for the future or both corner OF spots could be filled since Craig has some versatility. We would also have another young high end pitcher as a trade chip or develop. Taveras is a monster and could seriously step in next season and rake (he's a lefty too)....or at least put up Upton type numbers. You could still probably trade for Upton after this and have a Taveras/Martin/Upton OF set for years.

But, I highly doubt the Cardinals ever do this. It would be a win-win for both clubs though and provide the Rangers with more financial flexibility for a Greinke type pitcher moving forward.

There are few trades I would ever envision trading Profar, but a return of Taveras/Miller/Adams would be one I would seriously have to think about.

I don't think itz time for Prospects, as a forward (major) move.
Round out the Core and move towards "The BIG Show" 2013.
Right JD?

Good Lord we have prospects. Lets try to win something.

Assume the Rangers go all in for Grienke. Now fill in the blank... Holland + Elvis to Toronto for catcher Travis D'Arnaud + ????

I just can't see how the Cardinals are going to be willing to trade their most prized prospects for Elvis, in any variation or capacity. They have been content to compete with Rafael Furcal, Brendan Ryan, Cesar Izturis, and David Eckstein the past several years at SS. They won't scrap their prospects just to fill a void at SS.