The Texas Rangers enter the 2026 season amid significant change. The biggest shift comes in the dugout, where Skip Schumaker takes over as manager following a mutual decision to part ways with Bruce Bochy in late September.
Roster turnover has followed. This offseason, Texas added Danny Jansen, Alexis Díaz, Chris Martin, and Tyler Alexander, but those gains were offset by the departures of key contributors such as Marcus Semien, Adolis García, and Jonah Heim.
Competing in the AL West will be no easy task. The Seattle Mariners are expected to be formidable, and the Houston Astros remain a threat despite a disappointing 2025 campaign. For the Rangers to keep pace, every roster decision will matter.
Why a Trade Makes Sense Now
With spring training approaching and limited impact options left in free agency, teams looking to improve are increasingly turning to the trade market. The Rangers should be no exception and would be wise to entertain offers as trade activity ramps up.
Among the players most likely to be dealt is corner infielder Jake Burger. Several analysts, including Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller, believe moving Burger could benefit Texas by reducing payroll and clearing a path for younger talent.
Although Burger didn’t see time at third base last season, he has experience there and previously provided steady offensive production. However, his final year in Texas was a struggle at the plate, and his presence now stands in the way of rookie Abimelec Ortiz earning regular at-bats. Trading Burger would also allow the Rangers to shed a few million dollars from their payroll.
Ortiz, ranked as the organization’s No. 12 prospect, could step into a larger role if Burger is moved. For a team seeking financial flexibility and an infusion of youth, dealing a player whose production has declined could be a logical and timely decision.
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