MLB Trade Rumors: Texas Rangers a Fit for Travis Hafner?

It’s no secret that the Cleveland Indians would like to trade Travis Hafner. We’ve already examined the merits of the Tribe dealing Pronk—a small-budget rebuilding team doesn’t need to spend eight digits on a DH—and explored the possibilities of him being dealt to the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees. Here at Wahoo Blues, we support the idea of trading Hafner, and I have vowed to continue playing matchmaker until either he is dealt or I run out of suggestions. Neither has happened yet, so I humbly present my next idea for a trade partner: the Texas Rangers. In the wake of new ownership stability, a lucrative TV deal, and a World Series appearance, the Rangers were prepared to open their coffers to improve their team this winter. After missing out on re-signing Cliff Lee, Texas has spent the offseason in search of other ways to spend its cash. Their biggest signings include Brandon Webb, Arthur Rhodes, and, of course, Adrian Beltre. And yet, GM Jon Daniels isn’t done. The Rangers are reportedly seeking a powerful veteran to split time with Michael Young at DH. Texas was connected to Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez before they signed with the Twins and Rays, respectively, and there has been talk of bringing Vladimir Guerrero back to Arlington. It’s no surprise that Texas is seeking another bat—Young isn’t exactly DH material. Last year, he hit .284/.330/.448, good for just a 105 OPS+. That’s not a bad performance for a third baseman, as he was last year, or a middle infielder, like he used to be, but a marginally above-average hitter isn’t a great DH option for a contending team. Might the Rangers be interested in bringing back Hafner, who was originally drafted by Texas in 1996 and spent six years in the Rangers organization? To be honest, he wouldn’t be Texas’ first choice. But acquiring Hafner probably makes more sense for the Rangers than it would for any other team in baseball. Hafner might not be an elite hitter anymore, but he’s reliably above-average when healthy, and his numbers would get a boost from moving to the Ballpark in Arlington. He’d provide a left-handed counterpart to Young at DH, and Pronk’s presence would mean the Rangers could move Young to first base if things with Mitch Moreland don’t work out. Yes, Hafner’s chronic health problems mean he has almost no chance of playing more than 120 games and he won’t contribute at all on defense, but that wouldn’t matter much to the Rangers, who have Young and Chris Davis to fill in when injury strikes. The more significant obstacle to most team is Hafner’s salary, but that wouldn’t be a problem for the Rangers, who clearly have money to throw around after not re-signing Cliff Lee. The Indians might have to chip in some funds to help cover the $29 million Hafner is guaranteed through 2012 (including the buyout of his 2012 option), and the Tribe probably wouldn’t get anyone as flashy as Martin Perez or Tanner Scheppers in return. But, of course, shedding Pronk’s salary would do a lot of good for the Indians in the near future, and few teams have the Rangers’ ability to make that happen. A Rangers-Pronk reunion would make a lot of sense all around. And if Texas—a team that has money to spend and is in search of a powerful, left-handed, part-time DH—won’t take him, nobody will. For what it’s worth, the last time the Indians and Rangers made a trade, we got Kenny Lofton. Just sayin’.