If you read this blog than you are aware that the Texas Rangers played in back to back World Series in 2010-2011. You also know that Elvis Andrus was on both those teams. In fact, he is the last remaining player on the Texas Rangers roster that played in either World Series. He was the last. Today, the Rangers traded Elvis Andrus and Aramis Garcia to the Oakland Athletics for Khris Davis (DH/Outfield), Jonah Heim (catcher), and Dane Acker (RHP).
Elvis and Adrian Beltre together were the most fun I can remember watching baseball on television. Their antics were enjoyable, and they played hard every night. Elvis has struggled to stay healthy the past few seasons. He was the team leader on and off the field. I am not sure they currently have a team leader now that he is in Oakland.
Elvis came to Texas in the blockbuster Mark Teixeria trade with a lot of fanfare. He replaced Ranger great Michael Young at shortstop. He had 12 good seasons in Texas, some of those great seasons. Andrus was always a fan favorite and will probably continue to be. He is a class act all the way around, and he will be missed. He leaves with little fanfare on a Saturday afternoon in early February. My first reaction is to be sad and angry, but this team is rebuilding and he had already been replaced at shortstop by Isiah Kiner-Falefa. He gets to stay at shortstop for Oakland.
Now the team feels like it really is in rebuilding mode. If you didn’t believe it before, watching Andrus pack his things and head to Oakland should finally make the reality set in. This move has complications for several players. If Davis is going to be the DH, what does that mean for Willie Calhoun? If he is going to play the outfield, does that mean Joey Gallo is about to be dealt? Or is Leody Tavares going back down to the minors? Jose Trevino could also be in trouble. Reports say that Heim could compete for the starting backstop. Does this make Rougned Odor the starting third baseman? Will they now bring up Josh Jung earlier than planned?
All of these questions and more will be answered before opening day and beyond. Rangers fans have a lot to talk about over the next few weeks for sure. We will be delving into to this on the Podcast coming up Monday morning for sure. So what do you think? Are you going to miss Andrus? Will it be weird to see him in Oakland? Let me know I’m the comment section below, or leave a voice message for the podcast by going here and leaving a message. We would love to hear from you. https://anchor.fm/the-ranger-report-podcast/message
