Daniels talks Lynn, Trade Deadline, Taveras

A Major League scout was asked about Rangers pitcher Lance Lynn’s trade value as the Trade Deadline approaches.

“Every team could use a Lance Lynn,” the scout said. “I see many teams curious about him. He’s good.”

The question is if the Rangers will consider trading Lynn before the Deadline on Monday. Or closer Rafael Montero or infielder Todd Frazier or infielder/outfielder Danny Santana, or any big-name player.

Moves are under consideration, general manager Jon Daniels said Monday during a media Zoom session.

“Consider, but I don’t think we are locked into any one thing,” Daniels said. “We are having a variety of internal conversations, and we’ll see where that leads.”

Lynn would be the big prize. He is having a terrific season, he is signed for next season and almost every contending club could use starting pitching. The Dodgers, Athletics, Braves and Astros appear to be the contending teams that could be aggressive in acquiring starting pitching.

Daniels said the Rangers’ eight-game losing streak (going into Monday night) requires the club to consider focusing more on next year than salvaging this season.

“It definitely factors in,” Daniels said. “The conversations we’ve had going into next Monday’s Deadline are probably more reflective of being open conversations what makes sense for us longer term.”

Daniels addressed other issues:

How active will this Trade Deadline be?
“If you had asked me that question two or three weeks ago, I would have thought it would have been a little quieter than I think it’s going to be now,” Daniels said. “It speaks to the confidence level across the industry we are successfully playing out the season … crowning a champion at the end of the postseason.

“Because of that, I think it is going to be a little more active.”

What are the factors that will decide that?
“A big one is going to be the lack of revenue,” Daniels said, “the dramatic decline in revenue across the industry. Every club and every ownership … how much they are willing to take on? Most clubs have had to make some tough decisions with staff. How do you weigh that with adding money at the Deadline?”

The other factor
“At one point I wasn’t sure how teams would value winning this season,” Daniels said. “Is there an asterisk involved? Personally, I don’t think there is. When the games started, all the weirdness goes away. The competition level is the same as it always has been. All those things contribute [so] there will be motivation for teams to improve.”

What about the Rangers’ financial situation?
Daniels said he has been in regular contact with owner Ray Davis.

“I don’t think finances will dictate the moves made,” Daniels said. “It will be baseball driven and what makes sense for the franchise.”

How much is Leody Taveras going to play center field?
Quite a bit. The Rangers called up Leody Taveras from the alternate training site on Monday, and it was not to be a defensive replacement. He went into the lineup for the first time on Monday, batting leadoff and playing center field. The Rangers are going to take a hard look at their No. 3 prospect, as ranked by MLB Pipeline.

“I think him playing up here is going to improve our defense,” Daniels said. “That is one of several areas that we need to address. So, I think there's some short-term benefit. Two, his at-bat quality has improved over the last couple of years.

“I think it helps the club in the short term but also uses opportunity to get him some needed development time and also provide us with some more information to make decisions this winter.”

Who else do the Rangers want to look at?
Manager Chris Woodward wants to see right-hander Kyle Cody stretched out to the point where he could start. Cody might even begin as an opener and then be stretched out into a full-blown starter. Woodward said left-hander John King has been impressive at the alternate training site and could get a September look in the rotation.

Three catchers?
Sure, the Rangers designated utility player Rob Refsnyder for assignment, placed reliever Jesse Chavez on the injured list with a sprained left big toe and activated catcher Robinson Chirinos off the injured list to go with Jeff Mathis and Jose Trevino.

The Rangers kept Refsnyder as a right-handed bat. Those at-bats will go to Chirinos and Trevino, at least against lefties, one behind the plate and the other at DH. That was the arrangement on Monday with left-hander Jesús Luzardo pitching for Oakland.

What about Rougned Odor?
Rougned Odor was hitting .143 going into Monday night. He is also signed for two more years and $27 million beyond this season.

“It is really important to separate the player from the contract,” Daniels said. “The contract is an organizational decision, ultimately my decision.

“The contract at this point is not really relevant to whether he’s playing. It more of the idea that quite frankly there isn’t an alternative that’s really ready that we feel is more likely to produce. He gives us the best option.

“That speaks to me doing a better job of creating more competition and options for the staff to work with. He is not performing at a level that he needs to to be in there every single day. At the same time, he can’t get better if he’s not playing.”

What about Nick Solak?
Nick Solak was a second baseman in the Minor Leagues but has been used in the outfield this season.

“That may be a consideration down the line, but Nick is in the lineup, as well,” Daniels said. “It’s not Nick vs. Rougie for those at-bats. They are both playing.”