Cowlishaw: Jurickson Profar can still be centerpoint of trade for Texas Rangers, but not a blockbuster

Kim Klement/Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2013; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Texas Rangers second baseman Jurickson Profar (13) jumps over Tampa Bay Rays catcher Jose Molina (28) after he forces him out during the third nning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Coulmnist Tim Cowlishaw held a chat on Thursday. Here are some highlights.

What would you do with the middle infield situation going forward? It seems like Kinsler doesn't want to move positions but Profar's value has dropped during this season. Can he still be the centerpoint of a blockbuster trade?

I think Profar can be the centerpiece of a trade. I don't know about a blockbuster. I think -- even though people understand he is very young -- this season has hurt him in that he is considered a player with promise and a real future but not a true No. 1 prospect in baseball like a Mike Trout or a Manny Machado. It's a little unfair to him because he hasn't even been able to play a steady position.


Why do you think Daniels chose to give Andrus the huge contract this year, with Profar waiting in the wings? in hindsight, do you think it was the correct thing to do?

In hindsight probably not although that's an unfair criticism. At the time I went along with others in saying, "You kept him out of Scott Boras' free agent clutches, good work." But the money is exorbitant for a non-power hitter. And the real problem as you suggest is it leaves Profar with nowhere to go since Kinsler's salary is on the high side as well. They have three good players, though, and Daniels has been creative in the past and my guess is, after this one-year experiment didn't really pan out, he will get something done in the off-season.


Do you think that Moreland is the long term answer at 1st base? He doesn't seem to be able to put things together for an entire season, but would the Rangers be hesitant to get rid of him given the Chris Davis explosion?

Well, I don't see him hitting 50 home runs, but I didn't see Davis doing it and neither did anyone else. Moreland was fine before he got hurt, has struggled since and yet, while fans are all over him (probably right after Murphy) when pointing to offensive meltdowns this year, his numbers are still better than Michael Young's a year ago. That's not saying much but the point is they had big holes in their lineup at first base (and DH) last year too. No, I don't think he looks like a long-term answer at this stage.


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