The Texas Rangers have acquired veteran first baseman Jake Burger from the Miami Marlins, in exchange for three minor league prospects. Burger is eligible for arbitration in 2026 and isn’t set to become a free agent until 2029.
The 28-year-old Burger was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Over 344 career appearances, the slugger has hit .251 with 72 home runs and 185 RBIs, earning a career-high 32 home runs with 149 RBIs over 141 games when he split the season between the White Sox and Marlins in 2023. Last season with the Marlins, Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs over 137 appearances.
ESPN’s Alden González shared that the trio of prospects – infielder Echedry Vargas, shortstop Max Acosta and left-handed pitcher Brayan Mendoza – will head to Miami to complete the deal:
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- Vargas, 19, was the No. 17 shortstop in the Rangers’ system, hitting .276 with 14 home runs, 48 RBIs and 29 stolen bases over 97 games last season for the Class-A Down East Wood Ducks. Over his first 205 minor league appearances, Vargas hit .292 with 29 home runs, 114 RBIs and 59 stolen bases.
- Acosta, 22, hit .288 with eight home runs, 58 RBIs and 26 stolen bases over 104 appearances last season for the Class-AA Frisco RoughRiders. Over his first four minor league seasons, the shortstop/second baseman hit .268 with 24 home runs, 158 RBIs and 103 stolen bases.
- Mendoza, 20, went 5-4 with a 2.32 ERA over 24 appearances last season at the Class A and Advanced-A level. Over the last four seasons in the minor leagues, the starting pitcher went 8-12 with a 3.28 ERA over 67 appearances.
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