Another Hamilton/Volquez swap?

The bane of the Texas Rangers is pitching...especially starting pitching. Playing 81 games at the Ballpark in Arlington will demoralize just about any pitching staff...but the Ranger's recent ones have been downright awful. They need to concentrate on power arms and pitchers who don't give up homeruns. The Florida Marlins have a ton of young power arms to go along with Hanley and co. However, Jeremy Hermida has failed to live up to expectations so far which leaves them lacking power from the left side of the plate to protect Hanley and Uggla.

The Texas Rangers send Chris Davis to the Florida Marlins for Chris Volstad.

There were trade talks regarding a swap of Saltalamacchia for Buchholz this past winter which could have been a huge step in the right direction for Texas since Clay is a potential ace and they have a surplus of catching prospects. Acquiring Volstad has less upside but still provides Texas with a young arm who is extremely stingy with the long ball, giving up only 3 HR in 89 IP last season. Volstad has a fastball that sits low 90s with great sink and a solid curve to keep hitters off balance. He is a potential 2/3 starter and exactly the type of pitcher Texas should be targeting in order to reconstruct their terrible rotation in a killer hitter's park. Removing Davis from the equation in Texas gives them more flexibility moving forward. Blalock can be given more time at 1B/DH which allows Michael Young to be transitioned slowly to 3B in order to give Elvis Andrus more AB at SS. More 1B/DH AB will be available for Salty. The Rangers may also choose to call up Max Ramirez for additional AB at C/1B/DH or possibly even future stud 1B Justin Smoak. Unless 3 or 4 starters put up career years, the Rangers won't be making the playoffs so they should get reps in for their highly touted prospects. A future rotation consisting of Neftali Feliz, Chris Volstad, Derek Holland, Matt Harrison and Brandon McCarthy/Kevin Millwood/Vincente Padilla is formidable.

Florida, while giving up a good, young arm who is currently their #3 starter, gains a power hitting 1B/3B to plug in the middle of their lineup between Hanley and Uggla. Davis projects to 30-40 HR and will provide significant protection for Hanley. Wes Helms is no more than a utility player. Jorge Cantu provides some RH power with low OBP but Florida is really missing a lefty presence. Bonifacio doesn't have enough power to play corner IF long term. A platoon that includes Davis, Bonifacio, Cantu and Uggla at 1B/2B/3B gives the Marlins increased flexibility and more productivity. Freddi Gonzalez also has a much stronger defensive infield with Bonifacio at 2B (Uggla's defense....enough said). Losing Volstad hurts, but Florida can slot Anibal Sanchez up to #3, Andrew Miller to #4 and use a combination of Hayden Penn, Dan Meyer and Kiko Calero at #5. Florida also has an abundance of good young arms in the minors who will be arriving within the next few years to replenish the rotation. The addition of Davis to the middle of Florida's lineup is worth at least a few wins.