TEXAS TAKES ON SALARY TO BRING IN BIG BAHR
The Texas Rangers acquired pitchers Jason Bahr and Cory Gearrin, and outfielder Austin Jackson from the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named later.
What does it give the Texas Rangers
The Rangers currently occupy the AL West basement, so this deal is clearly about adding pitching prospect Bahr for the future. He has been pretty dominant in the lower minors this season, and projects as a possible mid-rotation option down the road. Meanwhile, do not be surprised if Gearrin is moved again before the MLB Trade Deadline. Jackson was merely a contract Texas had to absorb in order to acquire Bahr.
What does it give the San Francisco Giants
For San Francisco, this move is all about dropping salary. Sending Jackson and Gearrin to the Rangers saves the Giants about $5.2 million. That money gives them more flexibility heading into Major League Baseball's trade deadline (the non-waiver deadline is July 31), and might keep them from going into the luxury tax range if they add more players for the stretch run (or this off-season). This move helps both franchises.
Fantasy impact
Bahr is the only player in this deal who might be fantasy-friendly, but that may not likely happen for a few years. Meanwhile, Jackson struggled mightily with the Giants this season and was mostly limited to pinch hitter duty lately. It remains to be seen if he will stick around with the Rangers down the stretch (since the veteran is clearly not there to help his new team contend this season). Gearrin similarly is a veteran posting middling results in 2018 (and he has never been much of a fantasy-viable reliever), so he too might be flipped to another team.
Player focus
San Francisco Giants
a player to be named later
