When we look at the strength of the Rangers' minor league system, some of the outcomes are less desirable.

For example, that of Odubel Herrera. Rule V

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December 11, 2014: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Texas Rangers in the 2014 rule 5 draft.

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At 23, last year for Philly, he played 147 Games and went .297, 8 HR, 16 SB

So far this year, he is hitting .283, with 2 HRs, 4 SB.

Remember that when the ASB comes along and we unload prospects. We have more Rule Vs that we may want to trade, or make way on the 40 to protect.

On the Hamels trade:
Jorge Alfaro 23: AA
Jake Thompson
Nick Williams
Alec Asher, (24) 4 GS 3.20 ERA / 1.105 in AA 2016
Jerad Eickhoff - He is 25 and played some last and this year. In 11 GS, 2.44 ERA / 1.029 WHIP
Matt Harrison. - Put on the DL60 4/24/16 for back

Is Harrison ever going to pitch again? How lucky are we that he got thrown in that deal?

Phillies shut him down so they can collect on the insurance. Pays 75% of the contract value.

Seems when they shut him down last year they had shutting him down for Ins was the plan.

It seemed something the Rangers wouldn't have been able to do because of the relationship.

Did the Rangers not think that highly of Herrera? Was it just a complete surprise what he did last year?

Otherwise you have to ask why they didn't just promote Herrera rather than drafting Deshields off the Astros.

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Did the Rangers not think that highly of Herrera? Was it just a complete surprise what he did last year?

Otherwise you have to ask why they didn't just promote Herrera rather than drafting Deshields off the Astros.

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I think it was a number of things.

I think the Rangers just had too many players to protect and had to expose him. You only get a roster of 40.

Herrera grew up as a MIF in the Rangers orgs. With Andrus locked up, Odor establishing himself, Profar still trying to recover, it was apparent they would have to move Herrera to OF.

Delino had already been moved to OF, so his transition to CF was further along, I'd expect. If he struggled in Philly, and they wanted to move him down, they'd have to offer him back, just as they would have had to do with Delino. Philly was able to keep him since they were rebuilding, but on top of that, Herrera was doing well.

It is all a big gamble. Once you get a player taken, IIRC, you are allowed to protect 5 more players.

The Rangers have a number of guys Rule V eligible after 2016, that are at risk, and that is why I think the Rangers will have 3 major trades at the AB.

One will likely be a swap of minor leaguers. Lewis Brinson (OF-AA) and Jairo Beras (OF-A+) are two that come to mind.

I do not believe that Beras has to be added to the 40 until after next year. Brinson will be protected as he is the CF of the future.

Herrera was selected in the same rule V draft as DeShields.

Zero chance that Brinson gets traded.

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Once you get a player taken, IIRC, you are allowed to protect 5 more players.

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Can anyone confirm this? I've never heard that before.