Rangers 1B tipped as trade candidate in favor of resurgence

Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger has become a shadow of himself since arriving in Arlington, considering his explosive seasons with the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Marlins across the 2023 and 2024 seasons. After hitting 63 home runs with an .793 OPS during that period, he has underdelivered on the expectations that brought him to Texas in 2025.

In two seasons since, the first baseman has managed 16 home runs with a .687 OPS in his first season and in the current one, through 63 games, he has hit 10 home runs but is having a sub-.300 OBP campaign.

As a result, the first baseman appeared on MLB insider Mark Feinsand's "change of scenery" candidate ahead of the trade deadline.

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What makes Rangers 1B Jake Burger an attractive trade option

Despite underwhelming production, the Rangers are regularly utilizing his at-bat hoping for a resurgence. Considering that, many teams can take Burger as a buy-low trade candidate, and the first baseman's salary makes a potential deal manageable in the books as well.

Burger carries a hit of $3.2 million in 2026 and has two more seasons under team control. Therefore, contenders seeking affordable offense, the 30-year-old right-handed hitter could fit right in.

With nearly two months remaining until the trade deadline, it remains to be seen whether the Rangers float him as a trade option during their communication with other teams or do they give him a longer rope before deciding on his future at the end of the season.

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