TEXAS GETS A MUCH-NEEDED SP IN GALLARDO
The Texas Rangers acquired pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash from the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Luis Sardinas and pitchers Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan.
What does it give the Texas Rangers
In Gallardo, the Rangers land a significant pitcher at a position (starter) they sorely needed. The 28-year old is a workhorse (he has averaged 192 innings per season over the course of his six full seasons in Milwaukee), which will be a welcomed addition in Texas--where the Rangers have battled long-term injury after long-term injury. Losing three quality prospects hurts a bit, but Gallardo is a needed addition at this time. To win the deal, though, Texas must re-sign Gallardo (a free agent following the '15 campaign).
What does it give the Milwaukee Brewers
The key to the deal from a Brewers perspective could be 21-year-old Venezuelan infielder Sardinas, who can play both shortstop and second base. A switch-hitter, Sardinas is considered more of a defender than offensive infielder at this point. That said, he may push both shortstop {P Jean Segura} and second baseman {P Scooter Gennett} at some point. Knebel is a hard thrower with late-inning-reliever upside, while Diplan is still a teenager but blessed with a very live arm. The Brew Crew got full value for their free-agent-to-be starter.
Fantasy impact
This deal may hurt Gallardo moving from the National League to one of the top hitters' parks in Arlington, so buyer beware. He's also pitching for a new contract, which might become a fantasy factor as 2015 rolls on. Sardinas could push either Segura or Gennett to the bench at some point in '15, but Sardinas doesn't hold a lot of fantasy value at this time (unless he becomes a big-time base stealer). Knebel's chances for saves may have improved moving to Milwaukee, but he must first settle into a big-league role (and city, after being traded often so far in his young career). As for Diplan, he should be on the long-range keeper radar but is several years away.
