Last night, the Texas Rangers got the bat they were looking for after a disappointing offensive year in 2024.

The Rangers have reportedly acquired right-handed power bat Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins in exchange for three prospects.

Three prospects are heading to Miami. Rangers number 17 prospect 2B/SS Echedry Vargas headlines a package that also includes SS Max Acosta and LHP Bryan Mendoza.

Full Trade
TEX Receives – 1B/3B Jake Burger
MIA Recieves – TEX No. 17 2B/SS Echedry Vargas, SS Max Acosta, LHP Brayan Mendoza

On the surface level, it’s easy to see why the Rangers wanted to acquire someone like Jake Burger.

Last season against right-handed pitching, Burger hit .265 with 20 home runs and knocked in 56 of his 76 runs.

Rangers President Of Baseball Operations Chris Young wanted someone who could hit right-handed pitching and fastballs, both of which Burger does at a high level.

Acquiring Burger from the trade market allows the Rangers to not have to dip into their free agent funds to get the bat they need.

While Texas has not commented on its budget, they are still on track to get the team below the $241 million luxury tax.

With the Rangers’ current roster construction, the trade leaves many questions about whether another trade will follow and what the roster looks like.

As things stand right now, you’d have to imagine the Rangers position player roster looks something like this.

Infielders (7)- Jonah Heim, Kyle Higashioka, Nathaniel Lowe, Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, Josh Jung, Jake Burger
Outfielders (4) – Wyatt Langford, Evan Carter, Adolis Garcia, Leody Taveras
Utility (2) – Josh Smith, Ezequiel Duran

Sure, it’s more than fathomable for the Rangers to keep all of those guys on their roster as we head to Spring Training but it wouldn’t make playing time ideal for everyone.

If Texas does decide to keep the depth that they currently have, they would have the flexibility to use Silver Slugger winner Josh Smith as a super utility guy who can plug into 2B, SS,3B, DH, and either corner outfield spot.

The only downside to that is that Smith wouldn’t have a regular slot to slide into the lineup. Bruce Bochy talked about how he has to find a way to get Smith regular at-bats, a challenge that just got significantly harder.

Moving someone like Nathaniel Lowe would make that job easier because it gives Burger the job at first base every day.

Not only that but it would also save the Rangers about $10 million which is what Lowe is projected to make in arbitration.

There is no doubt that making another trade is now easier for the Rangers but it’s not something they necessarily have to pull the trigger on.

Now, we wait around and see if Texas will carry this elite depth into the 2025 season or if they have another shakeup upcoming.