Proposed blockbuster Rangers trade sees Texas land $330 million two-time MVP, eight-time All-Star as massive upgrade from Jake Burger originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Texas Rangers were one of the more surprising teams in the offseason, moving their All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien for Brandon Nimmo, and releasing Adolis Garcia. They are clearly trying to make their team better, but there is one obvious spot they haven’t looked at.
That spot is first base, currently occupied by Jake Burger. Fansided’s Christopher Kline believes the Rangers should make a call to the Philadelphia Phillies, and try to get a trade for two-time MVP Bryce Harper.
“The Rangers would love to upgrade Jake Burger's spot in the lineup and Harper's mild AAV commitment probably falls within their budget, especially given his star-power and the financial benefits to adding such a player. Texas has a tolerance for older stars (see: Jacob deGrom) and just recently won a World Series in 2023. There's a solid competitive infrastructure in place. Harper could dramatically sway the Rangers' odds in a wide-open division. He'd probably bat cleanup behind Brandon Nimmo, Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager. That's a tantalizing proposition,” Kline wrote.
This past season, Harper slashed .261/.357/.487/.844 with 32 doubles, 27 home runs, and 75 RBI in 132 games played. In a lineup with Wyatt Langford, Nimmo, and Corey Seager, Harper would put them over the top when it comes to a balance of contact and power.
Harper’s contract would also be financially feasible to the Rangers, as he’s set to make in the mid-20 million range for the last six years of it. To get a hitter of his caliber for that price might be too good for them to pass up.
Hopefully the Rangers get on this proposal soon, as the 2026 season is right around the corner, and another team might have the same idea.
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