The Rangers and Marlins have reportedly agreed to a deal that’ll send corner infielder Jake Burger to Texas for a trio of prospects. Miami receives infielders Max Acosta and Echedry Vargas as well as pitching prospect Brayan Mendoza.
Burger adds an affordable bat to deepen the Texas lineup. The Rangers surprisingly struggled to produce offense this year. Texas had a .238/.305/.380 team batting line that slotted in the bottom third of the league. They finished 18th in scoring. It was a far cry from the 2023 lineup that mashed its way to a championship.
The 28-year-old Burger can step into the middle of the order. He popped 29 home runs with a .250/.306/.460 slash line over 579 plate appearances. The former first-round pick combined for 34 longballs between the White Sox and Marlins in 2023. His 63 homers over the past two seasons ties him with José Ramírez and Corey Seager for 15th in MLB.
Burger, a righty hitter, is more of a one-dimensional slugger than many of his peers at the top of the home run leaderboard. He’s a .250/.305/.488 hitter over the last two years. Burger strikes out a higher than average rate and doesn’t draw many walks, but he has gotten to his huge power against pitchers of either handedness. He’s a career .244/.298/.496 hitter against lefty pitching and carries a .253/.308/.478 slash versus right-handers.
A third baseman for most of his career, Burger divided his time fairly evenly between the infield corners in 2024. He’s a poor defender at the hot corner, where his 6’2″, 230-pound frame limits his mobility. Burger posted roughly average defensive marks at first base in nearly 500 innings. While he doesn’t project as the starter at either position in Arlington, he’s insurance at both spots. Third baseman Josh Jung has battled a litany of injuries. Nathaniel Lowe has a strong durability track record, but he’s not guaranteed to stick on the roster all year. The Rangers could think about trading Lowe, who is projected for a hefty $10.7MM arbitration salary, if they’re working with a tight budget after committing to a $25MM annual salary to retain Nathan Eovaldi.
If they hold Lowe, Burger would project as the top option at designated hitter. That’d allow the Rangers to keep Wyatt Langford in left field, while Evan Carter could slide to center field and push Leody Taveras to the bench. That’s seemingly a goal for GM Chris Young and his staff. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News wrote on Wednesday evening that Texas had been in contact with free agent DH Joc Pederson. That’s a far less likely fit now that Burger is in the fold.
Burger is under team control for four seasons. He finished five days shy of the cutoff to qualify for early arbitration as a Super Two player. He’ll be paid close to the league minimum for one more season before getting his first salary of significance next offseason. That’s of clear appeal to a Texas team that has a projected luxury tax number around $219MM (courtesy of RosterResource), a little more than $20MM shy of the base threshold. With a reported desire to avoid the tax and multiple holes in the bullpen they still need to address, Burger’s affordability is a big plus.
From Miami’s perspective, it’s another move to shape the roster more to the liking of second-year baseball operations leader Peter Bendix. Former general manager Kim Ng made the move to acquire Burger at the ’23 deadline. It’s possible Bendix was never enamored with the profile, as he comes from a Rays front office that placed a lot of emphasis on infield defense and versatility.
Acosta, 22, steps onto Miami’s 40-man roster. Texas selected his contract last month to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. The Venezuelan-born infielder hit .288/.353/.425 with eight homers over 434 plate appearances at Double-A Frisco. He’s an advanced contact hitter with minimal power. Acosta has experience at both middle infield positions and could be a utility option in the near future.
Vargas, who turns 20 in February, spent the entire season at Low-A Down East. He popped 14 homers and stole 29 bases in 97 games with a .276/.321/.454 slash line. Vargas has a very aggressive plate approach but there’s a fair amount of upside in the power-speed combination for a player who has played shortstop thus far in his career.
Mendoza, a 6’0″ lefty from Venezuela, had a nice year in the low minors. The 20-year-old combined for a 2.32 earned run average through 101 innings. He struck out 26.3% of batters faced while limiting his walks to a 6.4% clip. While Mendoza hasn’t gotten much public prospect fanfare, he has the look of a potential pichability lefty.
Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported the Rangers were acquiring Burger for three prospects. Robert Murray of FanSided was first with Acsota’s inclusion. Christina De Nicola of MLB.com had the Vargas element, while Alden González of ESPN was first on Mendoza. Image courtesy of Imagn.
Wow! MIA what are you doing??? This return better be legit
Three minor leaguers is probably beyond anything they hoped to get.
NYY fan here. Burger hit 29 HR last year. He can play 1B. 1 more year arbitration. If it’s 3 low end prospects, Yankees should have been all over this.
Burger’s pretty terrible, besides the HR’s. It’s genuinely not easy to hit almost 30 bombs and still be barely over replacement level (0.5 rWAR). He did absolutely nothing other than those 29 punished mistakes. Doesn’t walk much or hit xtra bases other than out of the park. And one of the least athletic, worst defenders in the sport. He’s a 110 OPS+ DH, basically. Which is OK if you REALLY dig the long ball.
I actually really like Burger, I’m just surprised at the return considering the abundance of RH hitting first baseman.
But the Yankees can afford Christian Walker, who is a better player. The Yankees would be better served spending money than prospects, especially for a 1B.
This is actually a money saving move for TX as I expect they will now try to trade Lowe.
@thegreatgoodbye Burger is pretty terrible defensively at 1B and doesn’t draw walks.
Nah, Burger isn’t it. Very one dimensional player.
Blue Jays, too. They need a DH.
He wasn’t at his best in ‘24, but ‘23 was a different story. Topping 60 xbh with an .828 OPS suggests he’s pretty useful. And he should be able to resemble his ‘23 self in the Rangers lineup, where he’ll probably be the seventh-best hitter—opposed to being the most dangerous hitter in Miami’s anemic lineup.
@Moonlight
That’s my thought. It’s sometimes hard to judge a guy playing for the worst team in the league. Burger isn’t a cornerstone, but as a complimentary piece, I think he could be solid. Think Mike Napoli.
Napoli had a career 12.5% BB rate (and 26.3 WAR) vs. Burger’s 5.7%. He’d be fortunate to reach 15 WAR for his career.
Burger seems just like a hr guy and mostly is. But if you look at his vs RHP ok that looks better. Than look at him outside of Miami and it’s a hmm that’s a bit interesting.
You’re right. Power-based, complimentary 1B and Napoli was the first name that came to mind. You’re right. I already said the Yankees should go for Walker.
Yeah he’s from St Louis i think he could have been a fit before Contreras was moved off of catcher. But he’s really a 1 dimensional player. Like a better safer Luken Baker.
Rangers 4 years control
@DonOsbourne shout out to this legend. Appreciate all our conversations and the love you show. I would talk to you more but I find I talk mostly with people I don’t agree with. My mount Rushmore is don gwynning clipper although he went off grid for a bit. The final spot goes to whoever else is reading this comment!!! I don’t want to offend anyone especially someone who may live in music city who looks just like prime don Johnson. Although it’s feels a bit tragic leaving Samuel hiflew and Camden off.
Too be fair the return is really good. Vargas has solid production and a lot people are high on his hit tool. Max Acosta isn’t the super prospect he was touted to be but is really solid and Mendoza may end up being the best of them phenomenal year
@cr4 I like both. Easily utility players but I think both could be regulars. Heck of a return for Miami.
Burger was cheap, but he’s no double-double
It’s Jake Butger not Rafael Devers.
Texas got a new Whataburger
Who?? I might be way off here because I don’t know Miami players but he’s a 3b or 1st? Jung has 3b locked down
He’s both, but last year He’s was better at 1st.
DH really. Probably the worst defensive 3B in the league, acceptable at 1B but there are many better options out there. Not a platoon candidate (has reverse splits). I wouldn’t play him over Lowe for sure.
@seamaholic. I looked quickly, but he spilt time equally and his fielding was.995. At first.
Burger has pop.
With a side of fries?
Burgesas en Tejas!
Didn’t realize he hit 29 bombs last year
What a trade Texas.
All that pop and a meager 0.5 bWAR and 103 OPS+. Hide his glove and you may have a 2-3 WAR player outside of loandepot.
63 homers last two years plays
Yum
There are obviously some GM’s who think farther outside the box than your average fan. Nice roll of the dice Texas. Burger might be a beast in a lineup that forces pitchers to throw him fastballs.
Could the Rangers be dealing Lowe to another team?
Maybe so
I hope not. Burger would be a massive step down defensively at first and would be replacing one of the few high-OBP, gap-to-gap hitters in the lineup with another all-or-nothing guy.
I don’t mind Burger as a power-hitting DH. I like him much less as a replacement for Nate Lowe.
Stats look OK, but depends what we gave up. We have alot of young players that we keep getting told “wait til xyz” comes up
Excellent pickup
White sox to marlins to rangers is insane
Next stop the Dodgers?
I don’t mind this, but I’m not crazy about it either. Burger is a little all-or-nothing or my taste, especially in a lineup that already has several such players.
It will depend on the prospect cost for me — and whether this is the precursor to a Nate Lowe trade. I, personally, hope it is not.
Lowe has become an excellent defensive first baseman and he’s generally good for a professional at-bat. I’d prefer to keep him in the lineup than replace him with a guy who strikes out five times as often as he walks.
That’s my thoughts. Depends on what we gave up and what we get for Lowe. But I don’t think we will get much for Lowe soooo better be a small prospect cost
Where’s he gonna play? 1B, 3B or DH are the only options. Does this mean the Rangers are trading Lowe to save money? They still need bullpen help. Or will the team just make Burger the full-time DH and keep Lowe at 1B? Burger is, er, ground beef in the field, after all.
Hopefully the latter. And given Jung’s injury history, Burger would likely see some time at third base as well.
He’s a DH
Jeff Hotdog not available?
Yes, he is. In Spanish, that’s Yoan Moncada.
Burger has legit, big boy power. He hits tanks.
I was looking at Jake yesterday for my A’s but his work at 3b is a turn off.
but what about how he looks with his shirt off?
I don’t really understand this trade. Have we given up on Foscue?
Burger has way more power than Foscue. Also, Foscue was terrible in the Majors last year. I know he was hurt, But he only had 2 hits in 42 ab
I like Burger and root for him because he is from Saint Louis County and attended college at Missouri State University. I don’t quite understand the trade though because the Rangers already have Lowe as their first baseman, Jung as their third baseman, and Garcia as their DH. I wonder if the Rangers plan to trade Lowe or Garcia.
Garcia is their right fielder. The Rangers really didn’t have a full-time DH last year. And they got lousy production from the alleged Designated “Hitter” slot. A .584 OPS. It would be hard for Burger not to improve that number.
Another proof that you don’t have to be an athlete to play baseball!
Garcia will stay in right field.
Marlins miss out on a lottery pick and Bendix realized that means he can rebuild for a third year
The trade benefits the two young infielders the Rangers send to the Marlins because those infielders were blocked from have legitimate chances to play for the Rangers because of the Seager and Semien contracts.
2 .220 hitters in 2028 who won’t do dick. Yeah, great for us Marlins fans. They’re a joke.
If you want a great laugh about Burger, look for the video of his wife talking about how she knows every time he’s going to hit a HR! It’s a hoot! It’s back from his first year with the White Sox.
Billy Butler Jr, or country breakfast jr!
Butler was a much better hitter overall, but he had a surprising lack of power for a guy who weighed 260.
Burger is the hitter most would have expected Butler to be by looking at him.
Now go get Montgomery dirt cheap from AZ.
Echedry Vargas, Max Acosta, and Brayan Mendoza have to be the 3 most Marlins sounding players ever. Lord knows one will hits .450 lifetime against the Mets
This is the final straw and a slap to the faces pf all us loyal Marlins fans. Serve endured this BS for 31+ years, and to do this the day we don’t get the #1 pick (expected) for beans. I get it, I’m not saying Burger is a game changer, but this is a joke. Another high K, low BB non contact hitter with bipkiss defense who will make it to the majors in the Marlins system for a Cup O Koe and end up in the KBO.
I wish I had the ability to ask Sherman and Bendix what the end goal is here. It’s not making sense at all. Bendix is a clown. Drafts PJ Morlando, gets rid of everybody for beans (I do like DDLS and Norby’s trades but they’ll probably end up 40-% K rate .220 20 hr hitters). This marlins team will never get a star again.
My 2 cents. Very frustrated. I wish they’d hold a press conference for their small fanbase to explain the end goals here for the franchise because none of what they e done the last 10 years has made any sense.
The Marlins are the only team who you simply know are getting robbed when you hear a trade. They must ask teams for their worst prospects because it doesn’t make sense
Still found a way to bring a WS to Miami. Thank God for Pudge and Beckett
Yes!! And 1997 of course
Marlins won this one. Did well.
Will the Marlins at this point still be playing in South Florida 10 years from now?
Mlb wants to add teams. Miami too big of tv market to give up.
Miami looks like they didn’t mess this up. They received a nice collection of underrated guys
The Horwitz stuff with the Guardians makes me think the Rangers might flip that Burger.
Vargas sounds like a decent prospect. Nice return for a year of Burger.
mlb.com/milb/prospects/rangers/echedry-vargas-8004…
I think it’s 4 years at least of Burger.
I reread the article. It’s one year of Lowe remaining, not Burger.
No biggie. I reviewed a prospect and had the wrong one pulled up. Posted a original comment as a reply probably confusing the person I replied to. I see you around. You are active. Easy to get mixed up sometimes.
Great buy-low deal
Will go B for Miami. Didn’t get a obvious elite prospect (not that Burger should fetch one but other teams have given them for lesser players so gotta leave some room, could be a A though) but I like both the bats. Think they are underrated.
C for Texas. Fair price. Tuff to trade these guys but gotta pay something for power and Burger looks better when digging into his splits. Could have went D but this is win now trade and these prospects weren’t helping in 2025 or 2026. And they aren’t untouchable guys.
Acosta could actually help fairly soon. Probably should have went A for Miami. They did well.
Curious how it takes 3 separate reports to get the full trade details.
They reward their reporters with lil tid bits each. One gets close to trade, one gets official, one gets a piece, other gets another piece, one gets whos taking what salary.
At this point they should just trade their pitchers also. Why keep them?
Even in this economy a Burger is cheaper than a pitcher. They can get another Burger. But might be trading pitching as well. More details to come….
I enjoy his home trot. No fancy bat drop or anything. He hits the ball, runs out of the box like you’re supposed to, and goes into that scoot of his when the ball clears the fence.
Similar to Scott Rolen. Jake’s dad and Scott both played 3B at the same high school.