Gallardo to the Rangers for IF Luis Sardiñas, RHP Corey Knebel, & RHP Marcos Diplan [lead post includes in-thread links to video & scouting reports]

[DoubleSwitch]

How hilarious is it that this is unfolding at the same time as the Packer game?

 

That feels like such a stereotypical Doug 'low key, duck the media' type move almost to the point of parody.

[SRB]

Reading the Rangers SBNation website, they seem to be predicting a bigger return going to the Brewers than we are

 

Link if it's plausible. I know nothing about their system.

 

http://www.lonestarball.com/2015/1/18/7759149/texas-rangers-rumors-yovani-gallardo-acquired-by-texas-per-rosenthal

 

They seem to be discussing two top-10 prospects as a starting point (which might become top-5 prospects in our system). Nick Williams keeps getting mentioned, though I'm not sure if the Brewers need or want a LHB corner OF in particular. If they're going all prospects then they will probably want pitching.

 

They also seem fine giving up Luis Sardinas, though it seems opinions differ on him. Baseball Prospectus had him as a top-100 prospect the past couple years. Seems very intriguing to me (great defense at 2B/SS, switch-hitter, held his own hitting major league pitching and is only 21).

[umphrey]

If they trade Gallardo for Shields, a massive contract and a couple of non elite prospects that will be a huge mistake. Texas could just sign Shields but it looks like they chose not to because it's risky.

[DoubleSwitch]

They won't get an elite guy for one year of Gallardo, that's just not how the offseason trade market works anymore. The Brewers system needs depth and upside on offense. Especially in the infield. That's true regardless of what other moves they make this offseason.

 

The Rangers system is deep, if they can grab a couple raw guys with upside and room to grow I'll be happy.

[jwill535]

I have seen Luke Jacksons name mentioned a couple times.

[Kelbysdaddy]

The 2 names mentioned most seem to be Jackson and Nick Williams. Getting 2 top 100 prospects is nice (don't really see a need for Williams though).

[SRB]

@Sullivan_Ranger Yovani Gallardo has not been told that he has been traded to the Rangers. The Rangers are not planning to announce any trade today

 

Guess we're in a holding pattern...

[jjgott]

@Sullivan_Ranger Yovani Gallardo has not been told that he has been traded to the Rangers. The Rangers are not planning to announce any trade today

 

Guess we're in a holding pattern...

 

They're watching the Packers game

[SRB]

Though I suppose we might still hear names leaked tonight and they're just waiting a few days to formally announce until after physicals, etc.

[SRB]

Packers sent packing. Can we get a Gallardo update now???

[craigharmann]

Let the gut punching begin. Yo for two low A, 25 year old non prospects.

[TURBO]

Prince for Gallardo, straight up, would you do it if the Rangers paid a portion of Fielder's contract?

[craigharmann]

Nope. Prince's neck worries me.

[superfly]

Let the gut punching begin. Yo for two low A, 25 year old non prospects.

 

There's no more guts to punch...the continued ineptitude of McCarthy took care of it.

[pitchleague]

If we traded for Prince we would have to sign Weeks again.

[RockCoCougars]

Gallardo, Lind and Broxton for Prince and $75 million.

[Eye Black]

The 2 names mentioned most seem to be [Luke] Jackson and Nick Williams. Getting 2 top 100 prospects is nice (don't really see a need for Williams though).

Fangraphs (Kiley McDaniels) recently had write-ups on these two in their Rangers Top Ten List. They were ranked the 7th and 9th best players in the Texas system and link has video of each player as well as write-ups and videos of the rest of the top ten.

 

7. Luke Jackson, RHP

 

Current Level/Age: AAA/23.0, 6’2/205, R/R

Drafted: 45th overall (sandwich round) in 2010 out of FL high school by TEX for $1.54 million bonus

Fastball: 60/65, Curveball: 50/55, Slider: 45/50, Changeup: 45/50+, Command: 40/45+

 

Scouting Report: Jackson is easy to like, as he can run it up to 98 mph, stays healthy and has made steady progress with his delivery and command to where most scouts think he has at least a 50% chance to be a starter in the big leagues. Unfortunately, Jackson hasn’t developed that plus secondary pitch, this causes him to throw his fastball a lot, and there’s still enough command issues that a late setup role still looks like it could be where he ends up.

 

Jackson’s delivery has improved this season and he has some of the starter traits you look for, but he still likely needs to spend all of 2015 in the minors. One scout compared him to Tanner Scheppers as a likely reliever that shows just enough that you want to start him, but loves to throw his fastball as hard as he can and relief makes the most sense.

 

Summation: Next year Jackson should get a last development opportunity to see if he deserves a big league rotation spot in 2016 or he should shift that 98 mph heater to the bullpen. Scouts have noted that Jackson has needed a longer adjustment period than his prospect peers at each new minor league level, so he may make more adjustments in 2015.

 

FV/Role/Risk: 50, #4 Starter or Setup, Medium (3 on a 1-5 scale)

Projected Path: 2014: AAA, 2015: AAA/MLB, 2016: MLB

 

9. Nick Williams, LF

 

Current Level/Age: AA/21.0, 6’3/195, L/L

Drafted: 93rd overall (2nd round) in 2012 out of TX high school by TEX for $500,000 bonus

Hit: 20/50+, Game Power: 20/50, Raw Power: 60/60, Speed: 55/55, Field: 40/45+, Throw: 45/45

 

Scouting Report: Williams had a lot of hype and Jason Heyward comps thrown at him as early as his sophomore year of high school, but he had a tough senior year. Williams has been a pleasant surprise since signing, cleaning up his swing and making tons of contact while being young for every level. Williams was promoted to AA this week, just before his 21st birthday (after hitting .292/.343/.493 in High-A), and he has lively tools, but scouts aren’t too bullish about his upside.

 

Williams has really good bat control and can square up almost anything (.296 BA in over 1000 PA), but he has such an undisciplined approach that he’s striking out nearly 30% of the time with walks rates below 5%. When you’re more talented that everyone else and pitchers are still making mistake pitches, you can get by with this approach, but past exampled show us it’s hard to change a bad approach this late in development.

 

Scouts have questioned Williams’ aptitude to make changes since back to high school and have routinely crushed him for lackadaisical defensive play and slow jumps out of the batter’s box. Williams’ plate discipline isn’t the only thing holding back his power from showing up in games, as his swing is geared for line drives up the middle.

 

When you combine his fringy defense, lack of focus, left field profile, unsustainable strikeout rates and contact-oriented approach, you suddenly have an athletic, left-handed hitting 20-year-old with great bat control and plus raw power that’s performing well and scouts aren’t that enthused.

 

Summation: All that said Williams still projects as a league average bat that could be at least average defensively and on the bases if he chooses to be, with the upside to become more. 50 FV makes sense here and there’s a good reason for the Rangers to promote him aggressively: to break his bad habits, he has to be challenged.

 

Upside: .270/.330/.440 (20 HR), average baserunning & defense

FV/Risk: 50, High (4 on a 1-5 scale)

Projected Path: 2014: AA, 2015: AA/AAA, 2016: AAA/MLB, 2017: MLB

[JohnBriggs12]

How about Ryan Rua and Shawn Tolleson in the deal?

[Invader3K]

Bring on the baseball season. I have no idea who Brewers are getting though .

[SRB]

Some Luis Sardinas info from Jason Parks/Baseball Prospectus, who ranked him #72 in baseball pre-2014 (I don't have $$$ access to the full article):

 

Sardinas’ game is built on fluid actions in the field, catalytic speed, and contact ability from both sides of the plate. On a tool-based level, Sardinas has louder and more impactful tools than the darling that is Profar, but his utility has always fallen short, and his motivation—both on the field and off—has been questioned since he entered professional baseball.

 

On defense, the glove grades as plus, with soft hands and a very smooth backhand pickup. The body is lean and lanky, but his movements in the field are fast-twitch and his reactions are impressive despite some deficiencies in the strength department. The arm is plus and capable of all the throws, although his accuracy is still in need of refinement. The overall profile at the premium spot is 60-grade, and will eventually keep him employed at the major league level for a very long time.

 

Ideally, the Rangers want Sardinas to explode into the player his projection suggests, giving them options to either retain his talent or use it as a big trade chip this summer. The likely scenario is a utility player in the short-term that blossoms into more as he adds strength and experience at the major league level. While he's every bit--if not more-- toosly than Profar, his game utility and strength aren't on the same level and it could take several more years before we know which way he's going to go--utility or full-time regular.

 

Would be my #1 target in any Gallardo deal. Ideally with a top-10 pitching prospect and a major league piece like LHP Robbie Ross.

[topper09er]

Alright, after that Packer choke the Brewers choke feels 1% better, so its back to baseball. I have no idea who we might get from the Rangers, so I guess Ill hope for Juan Gonzalez.

[JohnBriggs12]

I don't see the Brewers going after Scherzer or Shields. They'll bring in a guy like Roberto Hernandez for rotation depth.

 

I'd like to thank whoever started this rumor for taking my mind off the Packers.

[dpapo]

Rosenthal tweeting that Brewers may either go after Shields or maybe try to trade for Jordan Zimmerman, who the Nationals apparently may be willing to trade if they sign Max Scherzer. Also may trade stephen strasburg, if they can't get enough for Zimmerman.

However, sounds like the Brewers part about Shields or Zimmerman interest was just speculation on his part instead of sources.

[DocLuna7]

Very excited for baseball season as well.... small point that will probably be moot tomorrow but can a moderator change the thread title so that this doesn't look like it's a done deal before it's official please?

[JohnBriggs12]

How about Ryan Rua? Nice versatile major league ready RH bat, can play 1B, 2B, 3B and LF. Hit 32 HR between High A and AA in 2013 and posted an .866 OPS between AA and AAA in 2014 before being called up for 28 games for Rangers where he posted a respectable .740 OPS. Makes decent contact for a guy with some power too. Turns 25 in March.