The Texas Rangers and New York Yankees made perhaps the most significant trade of the deadline period when the Yankees traded right fielder/designated hitter Carlos Beltran to the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitching prospect Dillon Tate. Seeing the Yankees as sellers (they’ve also dealt Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller) is certainly surprising given their history, but they definitely have added to their prospect depth.

Why the Rangers make this trade

Tate is a steep price to pay for a pure rental, but the Rangers are in a perfect position to take on a rental. Prince Fielder (the incumbent DH) is out for the season following neck surgery and Shin-Soo Choo is also on the shelf. Beltran is likely done following the season and if that is the case he is having a swan song of a season. He has a .301/.342/.538 slash with 21 home runs. Putting him in a lineup with Ian Desmond, Rougned Odor, and Adrian Beltre puts the Rangers in firm control of the AL West race.

Moreover, making the deal while only involving Tate leaves a majority of their prospects available to make another addition before the deadline is over. As of this writing, there is approximately an hour left and they still have their irons in the fire on a few other prime players. If they can make even one more addition they could become the favorites in the American League.

Why the Yankees make this trade

Simply put, the Yankees have decided to surrender for the season and it’s probably a pretty smart move. The purge began last week when they dealt Chapman to the Cubs, but the haul they got for Miller was arguably even better. Beltran is a pure rental given his contract and his advanced age, but they did get a good pitcher in exchange.

Tate rated as the Rangers’ fifth best prospect and that is in a system most people consider to be pretty deep. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft and scouts says he has a plus plus fastball and slider to go along with a developing changeup. The numbers aren’t particularly good at the moment, but developing a farm system is about having a number of prospects that may develop into good big leaguers.

What this deal means for you

Beltran’s probably does not change a great deal. Yankee Stadium was a good home for him and Texas will probably be equally good. The difference is that Texas has a few more good offensive players than the Yankees at this point. So, he probably will have more run producing opportunities in his new home.