Three Trade Targets Who Could Solve the Texas Rangers’ Biggest Problem

The Texas Rangers have some problems to solve. Here is the biggest and here are three options that could help.

Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young. Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers have plenty to improve on the offensive side. But no position needs more help than center field.

Evan Carter remained available most of the season but batted under .200 and still could not hit left-handed pitching. As good as his glove is, the Rangers may need to move on from him — or at least ensure they have someone that can play alongside him and be an option if he’s unable to improve.

To that end, here are three trade candidates that could either replace him or push him to be better or be replaced.

Buy High Option: Andy Pages, Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages. Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder is coming off his first All-Star Game appearance and slashed .343/.468/.811     with 23 home runs and 85 RBI. Unlike Carter, Pages has stayed healthy in all three of his MLB seasons. He’s just about to enter his arbitration seasons so his cost can be controlled to some degree.

He’s about to turn 26 years old which means he’s hitting his prime. The Dodgers probably see him as their future center fielder. The Rangers would have come with a compelling package of players, some of which should be in the Majors now.

Texas would have to see Pages as their center fielder for the next several years to make this kind of deal. It also means they’re ready to move on from Carter.

The Depth-Stealing Option: Jake McCarthy, Rockies

Colorado Rockies left fielder Jake McCarthy. Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Colorado Rockies traded for McCarthy last offseason and he was a revelation, as he slashed 291/.334/.475 with 15 home runs and 83 RBI. He played nearly as many games in center field (68) as he did in left field (81). For the Rangers he would play in center field.

He’s attractive for a couple of reasons. First, he’s still in arbitration so there’s an ability to control cost. Second, the Rockies have a glut of young outfielders and needs to create room for top prospect Charlie Condon in 2027. Dealing McCarthy eases the glut. It gives the Rangers another left-handed hitter and Carter legitimate competition for his job.

The Dice Roll: Denzel Clarke, Athletics

Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke. Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Like the Rockies, the Athletics have a glut of outfielders and must ease it in some way. A trade is the easiest way. Like Carter, Clarke comes with plenty of promise but hasn’t quite figured it out yet.

In 87 MLB games across two seasons Clarke has slashed .205/.261/.304 with three home runs and 14 RBI. But the former fourth-round pick has an elite glove like Carter with eight defensive runs saved in his MLB career.

It could work as a platoon to start with. Clarke hits left-handers better and that’s where Carter struggles. Carter hits right-handers better. Both won’t make much money in 2027, and the Rangers could let them fight it out for the starting job by 2028.

It comes with the least cost and the least risk for the Rangers. It also gives Carter one more chance to impress.