Josh Smith #8 of the Texas Rangers
Should the Rangers Cash in on Josh Smith? A Yankees Trade Could Make Sense
With the Texas Rangers finally back to full health, a roster crunch could force the team to make some difficult decisions. One of those could involve breakout utility man Josh Smith, who played a key role in 2024 but now faces a potential reduced role in 2025. Rather than keeping him as a bench piece, would the Rangers be better off dealing him for future assets?
Jacob Mountz of FanSided recently floated an intriguing trade proposal that would send Smith back to the team that originally traded him: the New York Yankees. In this hypothetical deal, Texas would receive two prospects in return—pitcher Will Warren and outfielder Everson Pereira.
Breaking Down the Proposed Deal
Smith was initially part of the 2021 Joey Gallo trade that sent multiple prospects to Texas. Now, a return to the Bronx could be on the table in a swap that would bring back promising young talent.
Who Would the Rangers Get?
Will Warren (RHP) – The Yankees’ fifth-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, Warren has shown flashes of strong potential despite some struggles in 2024. The 25-year-old was an eighth-round pick in 2021 and has steadily climbed through the minor leagues. He posted a 4.31 ERA in the minors with an impressive 11.2 K/9 rate last season, proving he has the ability to miss bats. While he struggled in his brief MLB debut (10.32 ERA over 22.2 innings), he remains a potential back-end starter with room for growth under the right coaching.
Everson Pereira (OF) – Currently ranked as the Yankees’ No. 10 prospect, Pereira is a toolsy outfielder with legitimate upside. At just 23 years old, he showcased his potential with a strong .265/.346/.512 slash line and 10 home runs in only 40 games last season. His defensive versatility makes him a potential asset in the outfield, with the ability to play all three positions at the major league level.
Why This Trade Makes Sense for Texas
Smith was a pleasant surprise for the Rangers last season, outperforming expectations with a .258/.337/.394 slash line, 13 home runs, and 3.2 WAR. His defensive versatility made him an asset, but with Texas returning to full strength, his playing time will likely take a significant hit. Rather than keeping him as a backup, the Rangers could flip him while his value is high to bolster their farm system.
Warren and Pereira both have the potential to contribute as soon as 2025. Warren could slide into the Rangers’ rotation depth chart, offering another potential arm for the future, while Pereira provides much-needed organizational depth in the outfield.
The Tough Decision Ahead
Moving Smith wouldn’t be an easy call, especially given his contributions last season. However, if Texas wants to maximize its assets and avoid letting a talented player waste away on the bench, this deal could be worth considering. The Rangers are in win-now mode, but smart roster management is key to sustaining success. Trading Smith for two promising prospects could be a move that pays dividends in the near future.
Would the Yankees be willing to part with Warren and Pereira for Smith? That remains to be seen, but if Texas gets the opportunity, they might want to pull the trigger.
