JAKE BURGER BOUND FOR TEXAS
The Texas Rangers acquired designated hitter/infielder Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins for infielders Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta, and pitcher Brayan Mendoza.
What does it give the Texas Rangers
Burger provides the Rangers with a legitimate power bat. He has emerged as a consistent home run hitter, hitting 29 last season (despite missing 20 games with an injury) and 34 the year before. A DH who can also play first and third base, Burger is still just 28 years old and comes with multiple years of team control. He should immediately upgrade the Texas lineup, as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season.
What does it give the Miami Marlins
The Marlins continue to prioritize prospects in their ongoing rebuilding plan. The return for Burger does not include any elite prospects but Acosta, 22, and Vargas, 19, have solid potential and will add to Miami's infield prospects group. Also, the 20-year-old Mendoza is a left-hander who has worked primarily as a starting pitcher his first few minor-league campaigns. The trio of prospects will now start fresh in Miami's organization.
Fantasy impact
Burger gets a definite boost from this trade. In Texas, he will get a park upgrade and should have more RBI opportunities hitting in a better lineup. A 30 home run, 100 RBI season seems within reach. Draft him. As for the Marlins' prospects, Acosta is closest to making his MLB debut, but he is more of a contact hitter with some speed. With Burger traded, a more fantasy-relevant Marlins prospect like Deyvison De Los Santos (who hit 40 home runs in the minors last season) should be on the fantasy radar this year.
