The Texas Rangers are tied with Seattle for the AL West lead, but don’t expect them to go all-in as buyers at the deadline. They might add a piece or two, but there’s also a real chance they become sellers instead.
That’s got some wondering about Josh Smith, the versatile infielder who’s drawing interest as a potential trade chip. MLB insider Robert Murray of FanSided calls the 28-year-old utility man “intriguing” for teams looking to add depth before August’s deadline.
“Texas has an intriguing trade piece to offer. One possibility that the Texas Rangers could consider is moving infielder Josh Smith to address a different part of the roster.”
Smith’s versatility is his calling card. This season he’s logged most of his time at second base while also seeing action in the outfield, at third, and even first base. Throughout his career, he’s played plenty of shortstop too, making him the kind of swiss army knife that contenders covet.
The numbers tell a mixed story though. Smith’s hitting .230 with a .607 OPS this year – well below his career .675 mark. His 80 OPS+ is a significant drop from his 96 career average and miles away from the 114 OPS+ he posted during his Silver Slugger campaign in 2024.
But here’s what makes Smith appealing: he’s got club control through 2028. That means there’s no urgency for Texas to move him, which actually strengthens their negotiating position. Teams know they’re not getting a rental – they’re getting a proven veteran with multiple years of team control.
What makes this situation even more intriguing is how the Rangers’ season unfolds over the next few weeks. If they fall back in the AL West race, moving Smith could help them restock the system while getting value for a player who’s struggled this year but has shown he can produce at a high level.
The left-handed bat and positional flexibility should generate interest from contenders looking for bench depth or injury insurance. Smith’s not going to be the centerpiece of any blockbuster deal, but he’s exactly the type of player who changes hands when teams are fine-tuning their rosters for October.
