Let me start off to say that this is my first comment, long time reader that just decided its time to jump in the conversation rather than sit on the sidelines. But let me get to the post:

I know its a long shot, and alot of things need to happen to make this matter, BUT if JD pulls off the mega deal to get Upton and we get Grienke there is no way we will keep payroll at that level. We also will have lost some signifigant pieces from our farm so I could see a Cruz trade to the Braves. This might even allow us to pull off a Hamilton deal. I just dont see us making so many additions without making another big (at least in name/salary) subtracting deal. Now go rip my idea to shreds....

Here is the tweet that spurred this though from me (I have no idea how to embed it).
https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/277078441638105091

I saw that same tweet and had the same thought. If we did somehow get Greinke, Upton, and Hamilton, trading Cruz to Atlanta could help us shed payroll and get a pretty good reliever. A lot of other dominoes would have to fall correctly for this trade to happen, but it might make sense.

I think Cruz could land elsewhere, not just Atlanta. I imagine having a "Boomstick" has value on multiple levels. And trading him makes even more sense for Texas, if the Rangers pull off moves where the payroll relief provides them some added value in trade.

Atlanta already has one of the best right fielders in the game. They'd likely be more interested in Murphy. Cheaper, fills a need.

All these long-time Rangers possibly leaving sigh...anyone remember this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9adiEqjurxk

Next to Feliz k'ing A-Rod for the final out in the '10 ALCS, Cruz might have provided me with my fav Rangers memory.

Anyways, Cruz's trade value isn't helped by the fact that under the new CBA a team acquiring him then not being able to re-sign him after the season receives no draft pick compensation. The CBA eliminated draft pick compensation for FA's acquired in the last year of their contracts. We'd still probably get something better if we dealt him now than the draft pick we'd get if we held on to him for the season (say sticking him at DH), then made him a qualifying offer after the season and he declined. They say the '13 draft is pretty shallow in all areas aside from OF'ers and catchers, and think we've loaded up on enough C prospects in recent years.

What do people want/think we can get for 1-year rental Cruz?

@ Kristen,

I was under the impression teams DID recieve compensation so long as the player was on their 40 man on opening day. It doesn't matter if they're in the last year of a contract, 1st time free agent, or 1st year of a 9 year deal.

But to the original point, if MY does get traded I'd like to keep Cruz to assume 60-70% of the DH duties (assuming we get Upton or Hamilton).

Kristen, a team who trades for Cruz this off-season will have as much ability to receive a compensatory pick as the Rangers would if they kept him. As long as he's on your team on opening day and receives a qualifying offer when his contract runs out, there's a pick gained if you lose him to another team.

@ David/The_Henchmen

I see thanks. So many knowledgeable people in here. LAA couldn't make Greinke a qualifying offer and gotten a comp pick if he declined because they acquired him mid-season, but if they acquired him before the season they could have. So really it makes more sense for a team to deal for Cruz now than at the deadline, which means we'd get more for him now than at the deadline.

http://www.pinstripedbible.com/2012/11/10/3627126/players-yankees-benefit-most-from-new-free-agency-rules