Well, it was a cloudy and cold day in Dallas. I finished lunch and was about to doze off in a dream world when I casually looked on Twitter. Elvis Andrus is now an Oakland Athletic. I had to be sure that the person who tweeted had a legitimate blue checkmark next to their name. It was Ken Rosenthal, and the confirmation kicked in. Other national reporters and then local reporters chimed in to confirm the trade. There it is. The Elvis Andrus reign in Arlington is done.

From the hindsight of both teams, the trade makes sense. The Athletics lost Marcus Semien and had a hole at shortstop while the Rangers’ primary shortstop for years, Elvis Andrus, was entering Spring Training in a dogfight to win a spot at third base. With Isiah Kiner-Falefa winning shortstop, the only option Andrus had was the backup shortstop spot. The Rangers know Josh Jung is their future third baseman; the only question is when Josh gets that shot. Who knows, it could be sooner than we all think, or it could be opening day if the cards all fall in Josh’s favor (Chris Woodward didn’t rule that out). The full trade involves sending Elvis and Aramis Garcia to Oakland, while the Rangers get catcher Jonah Heim, pitcher Dane Acker, and Khris Davis. Both the Athletics and Rangers will swap cash too. From a money perspective, the club saves about 13.5 million from this trade.

The final players involved in Rangers-A's deal: Elvis Andrus, Aramis Garcia for C Jonah Heim, RHP Dane Acker and DH Khris Davis. There is also cash changing hands. Rangers owed Andrus $28.5 mm over next two years.

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) February 6, 2021

From a Rangers’ fan perspective, it stings. We all recall Opening Day 2009, where Elvis Andrus showed off his defensive ability and made Derek Jeter-like plays. We followed Elvis throughout the 2010 and 2011 postseason with the bushy hair and the bubbling personality. When he and Adrian Beltre became great friends, Rangers’ fans saw a bro-combo that you don’t see much in the game of baseball. Two guys who work their butts off but still have fun. Despite Andrus’ performance trending down, he even won the hearts of Rangers’ fans, and it’s a shame Elvis won’t fit into the category of playing an entire career with one team. Remember, he can always come back and finish his career with a lone star flag on his sleeve.

I discussed last week about the options the Rangers have at third base. Khris Davis going to the Rangers is even more impressive because Davis’ defense isn’t ideal, but his offensive power is out of this world. Davis would fit as the Rangers’ likely designated hitter, possibly putting a wrench for guys like Willie Calhoun. I would probably say third base is Rougned Odor’s spot or give someone like Charlie Culberson a shot before Jung is ready to go. The club could also bank on Ronald Guzman’s winter and get Nate Lowe prepared at third base. One other scenario is acquiring a short-term third baseman to fill the void.

I talked to Elvis Andrus at the end of the 2019 season about his tenure w/ the #Rangers and finishing the old ballpark.

Just felt like I had to revisit this to apply it with today's news. pic.twitter.com/Jj5IWT5hJY

— Alex Plinck (@aplinckTX) February 6, 2021

No matter the circumstance, we will always remember the great times with Elvis Andrus and the joy he brought to the Rangers’ fan base. As Joey Gallo mentioned a few weeks ago, it is a business, and sometimes business takes precedents over personal. I will say this when the Athletics come to Arlington and fans are at Globe Life Field, the first time Chuck Morgan announces Elvis Andrus’ name, there will be a roar in the crowd.

12 seasons
2x All-Star
305 steals (1st)
1,652 games played (2nd)
893 runs scored (3rd)
1,743 hits (3rd)

Thank you for everything you've done for this organization, #1. pic.twitter.com/QoyJYISibC

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) February 6, 2021