Heard on AM 830 in LA this morning that Texas and Florida are in talks concerning a trade for Giancarlo Stanton to the Rangers. According to "sources," Stanton has informed Florida brass that he will not sign with their organization long term under current ownership. History proves that ownership does not have a long term commitment to winning, and their is no consideration for loyalty. Long pole is that Florida wants both Olt and Profar in return, and I can't imagine it ends there. Is it worth that?

I doubt those guys are in the know. Stanton doesn't have to sign anything, they own his butt for the next 4 years. I'd send Profar and Olt to Miami for Giancarlo and wouldn't hesitate to do it. Then you have to lock up Elvis to a long term deal. Use that money you just didn't use on Josh, Greinke, Fielder.

This move would undoubtedly put the Rangers back in contention. Too bad it ain't gonna happen though! Although' "Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things." - Andy Dufrain Shawshank Redemption

Yeah, I wouldn't hold my breath. But this would probably be a good move for both clubs.

Of course, I've argued the Mariners should do the same with Felix, and they haven't. They still suck, and Felix hasn't sniffed the playoffs in his career. If he's a Mariner for life, he might be one of the best pitchers never to go to the playoffs.

Someone needs to go before one of them walks with a long term FA contract or there needs to be some position changes or trades. Which one??? There is a lot more than the #s or field presence. That sort of knowledge is pretty well confined to the brass with an occasional leak to a talking head. Trade strengths to fill weaknesses and hope the players pan out for you. I'd imagine the brass is pretty divided also on Profar/Andrus because of all the extraneous factors. Smart dealing got us here and hopefully that smart dealing will continue. Dumb dealing kept this franchise down for many many years.

News broke in LA not because outlets were necessarily interested in what Texas may be attempting to do, but because LAA also had substantive talks with Florida on acquiring Stanton, but in the end, don't have the high end talent in their organization to obtain him. No combination of Bourjas, Trumbo, or anyone else in their system was going to net them Stanton. Conventional belief is LAA would do just about anything to ensure Stanton does not end up in Texas, as he would essentially replace the productoin of Hamilton and then some. LAA pulling Hamilton had just as much to do with depleting the Rangers talent is it did increasing their own. They were willing to overepay for a talented, yet troubled player, including paying $30 million annually for what everyone belives will be depleted talent towards the back end of the contract, just to get him away from Texas. If Texas were to acquire Stanton, LAA's investment doesn't look so good, and their financial investment in Hamilton hamstrings them while Texas is getting better with young talent who's not due a new contract for several seasons.

Even if we gave up Profar and Olt, I think this might be the biggest deal of the offseason. Bigger than the Shields trade. Bigger than signing Greinke or Josh. Stanton is how we hope Joey Gallo turns out.

Profar for Price is a hard trade to get your head around, even with additional pieces. Lots of guys would do that trade. But Stanton? Stanton's a no-brainer.

If by some chance the Rangers make this happen, everybody that said they were having a terrible offseason is going to eat their words.

I would trade Profar for price, straight up, in a hot minute. Price is one of maybe 7-10 legitimate aces in all of baseball, and he's only 26. A true ace is the most valuable commodity in all of baseball. You don't pass that up.

Also, thanks Jeff for the 411.

If the Rangers pull this off, like you said, this would pretty well negate any loss from Josh. It would also serve as yet another example of why you have to keep developing your farm. Arte Moreno obviously has very deep pockets, but there are some things money just can't buy. Stanton is one of them.

I could see the Marlins trading Stanton to the Angels...if they got Trout. But we all know Trout is, without a doubt, the least likely player in the world to be traded. And besides, that might take the Angels down a notch from where they are now. At least, it wouldn't make them any better.

Also, MLBTR hasn't posted this yet. Wonder what sources these are.

If I were JD and got a call saying send us Profar and Olt and we will send Gincarlo your way I say yes, hang up the phone, and get the team manager to stitch up a Stanton jersey so I could wear it around all day.

Even for Stanton, I'd be weary to give up Profar. The reason is that at such a young age, Stanton already appears to have knee problems. And don't get me wrong, Stanton is the most prolific power hitting youngster in all of baseball, but I'd definitely have to give a long and hard decision on trading Profar. Another reason for this is that we all know that Elvis isn't going to sign a longterm deal with the Rangers during his current contract unless the Rangers absolutely blow he and Boras away. Andrus will more likely than not test free agency, leaving the Rangers with a possible hole at SS in the absence of Profar, whom plays such a premium position, whereas power hitting COF's are more common to come by (and no, I'm not saying players like Stanton are common, I'm just saying that power hitting COF's are easier to come by than premium SS's like Profar projects to be). I definitely don't think this hypothesized trade would be a no brainer.

Hmm. You make some good points, Mike. Maybe this isn't a no-brainer.

Still, it wouldn't be one of those were you just laugh and hang up. For either side.

Andy:
Could be smoke and mirrors by LAA or their could be some substance. Of all MLB teams, Texas has the best trade chips to obtain Stanton. I don't believe that Stanton's projected measureables are any better than Profar's in any area other than power, but, Stanton is already a proven commodity, so Florida would want additional piecies to ensure a positive return on thier investment. If Texas were to obtain Stanton without depleting their farm, (a virtual impossibility based on the number of high end prospects in the Ranger's system) LAA would have done Texas a favor by taking Hamilton. Not only does it clear up money to both sign Stanton down the road and find another rotation arm, but it gives Texas the ability to resign Andrus long term, and most importantly, puts LAA in a bad position finincially.

Mike G:
The Rangers organization is awash with middle infielders, but are somewhat short on COFs. Stanton is a generational player. That being said, I understand what you're saying. I would not be upset were Texas "stuck" with Profar long term. But I don't see Texas having a strong enough offense to compete right now with the likes of LAA and Tigers. If they signed Laroche and Pierzynski to reasonable deals, my position may change.

Ian came up a SS... played the position until just before he got promoted to Arlington.

Trade Profar... if Elvis doesn't re-sign, slide Ian to SS and bring Leury in to 2B. Who knows? Maybe putting Ian back to his natural position would be the tonic that makes him well.

But, Stanton is the ONLY guy I'd let Profar go for in a package... Price? I'd do that one straight up as well.

We do have options. And, not all those options have been discussed on these forums.

AM 830 is owned by the Angels -- it may be BS.

If that is true I would pack Profar and Olts bags in about 2 seconds and send them to Florida. Stanton is the impact bat that would help some of our off-season disappointment. Stanton's #'s just keep getting better he is a super star already. I don't think twice about trading are best 2 prospects for him.

FYI...Marlins just signed Placido Polanco to play 3B.

Dear Rangers,
Please stop playing with my emotions. I can't take anymore.
Signed,
1 Fan

I would give Olt and pitching but I would not swap Profar for Stanton, personally.

Maybe they'd take Kinsler, Olt, Perez, Grimm, Moreland and L. Garcia ...and we'll just keep Elvis and Profar. One can dream right? That being said, I'd buy the plane tickets for Olt and Profar if that's all it took.

As others have kinda pointed out, it revolves around andrus. If you give up profar, you have to get andrus extended. Period IMO. Although, I wouldnt go so far as to say Stanton is the only one id consider moving him for (but maybe the only one that even has a CHANCE of getting traded). I'd make the move for Braun, Jay Bruce, CarGo. A guy you can build a lineup around. Though I would lean more towards a lefty if possible.

I really wonder if we could pull off this deal by only giving up one of Profar and Olt. Not totally sure what the package would look like, but it would be hefty. I think Olt gets sold short on his ability. The guy is a talented hitter and very good in the field. Why couldn't we just trade one of our prime time guys plus others for Stanton? I know that would never happen, but I can dream...

I doubt this happens, but it would be nice.