Buzz surrounded the Texas Rangers organization all month with the 2020 Trade Deadline looming at 3 pm CT on Monday. Lance Lynn’s success throughout the last few weeks meant one thing: trade bait. Let’s not forget the Rangers were in this same situation in 2019. Mike Minor had a fantastic first half of the 2019 season, despite struggling in July. A few teams showed interest in Minor, but ultimately no deal materialized. The Rangers fell into the same situation on Monday. Lance Lynn was the second most coveted starting pitcher on the market, next to Mike Clevinger from Cleveland. However, at the end of the deadline, the club did deal Lynn.

Per @Joelsherman1, #Dodgers do NOT get Lance Lynn

— Alex Plinck🏳️‍🌈 (@aplinckTX) August 31, 2020

The club reported made two deals on the deadline Monday. First, the Rangers sent left-hander Mike Minor to the Oakland Athletics for Marcus Smith and Dustin Harris. Secondly, the Rangers sent catcher Robinson Chirinos and Todd Frazier to the New York Mets. The Rangers and Mets deal gives Jose Trevino the role of primary catcher, with the Rangers not needing to release Jeff Mathis. The Rangers are high on Trevino’s skillset. Therefore, Trevino will get a lot of reps in September. Also, sending Frazier to the Mets gives Isiah Kiner-Falefa the prominent role at third with Elvis Andrus likely activated before the Astros series. The deal also opens the door for Ronald Guzman, who had a good couple of days against the Dodgers. Chris Woodward was optimistic about the Rangers trading Lynn before Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles. “He still has another year, pretty low price, this should be a pretty high asking price for us. I don’t know if somebody is willing to step up and do it.”

I really like both prospects a lot, so I'd say it's a very nice return for Minor. Smith has excellent speed, smart hitter and handles the bat well. Can play CF. Harris can really hit, still needs to develop power to stick at 3B/1B.

— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) August 31, 2020

I’m not shocked the Rangers didn’t send Joey Gallo anywhere. In the past few years, Texas is known for a considerable asking price, turning teams away. It was a stance where GM Jon Daniels decided to see if “teams will take the bait.” In the end, no one took any Joey Gallo bait. I am shocked Lance Lynn didn’t get moved. Lynn’s eight million next season equals a steal for a good starter. Now that may have turned into a closed window with the additional year of salary, but I think teams would adapt (mostly San Diego taking Clevinger with two years of control left). With Lynn’s workhorse demeanor, it would be even more vital with a lot of doubleheaders in September. Seven inning games become the norm for playoff contenders. According to reports, the asking price for Lynn was a lot too. In the end, Shin-Soo Choo, Rafael Montero, and Joely Rodriguez remain as Rangers. Jon Daniels talked a week ago about the Rangers plan, ” It would have to make sense for us, we wouldn’t look to move guys for inventory but if there are other reasons to do so, we would have to look at it.”

Talked to a team that talked to the #Rangers about Joey Gallo.

Said they asked for an outfielder off the big-league club, another big-leaguer and high-end prospects.

Not that that's out of line! Just an indication of what a monster deal it would take for him to move.

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) August 31, 2020

It’s hard to determine what the best decision is at this point. Keep in mind; prospects are prospects. They don’t always work out, and the club may make a move this winter. I’m not saying the Rangers did the right thing and let Lance Lynn go, but I don’t think it’s fair to deem Monday’s deadline a complete failure. If Lynn doesn’t remain in Texas or if his value diminishes, you can call it a loss in a couple of years. For Joey Gallo, it’s a “try and see” day for the Rangers. Texas didn’t like what they saw. Therefore, the team went with no deal. We’ll have to wait years before the briefcase opens.