SURPRISE, Ariz. — Well, that was quite a turnaround.
Less than 24 hours after manager Chris Woodward said that Isiah Kiner-Falefa was the Rangers’ starting third baseman, the club traded him to Minnesota in a package that will bring power-hitting catcher Mitch Garver to Texas and potentially create ripples throughout the roster. The Rangers also included right-handed pitching prospect Ronny Henriquez in the deal. The club announced the move on Saturday.
It ends a whirlwind of an offseason for Kiner-Falefa, in which he was moved off shortstop, into a potential utility role, then became the definitive third baseman when Josh Jung suffered a shoulder injury. And Saturday, he moved again. Right out of the organization.
