"They could shake up the trade deadline" - MLB analyst on defending champions' Texas Rangers
High expectations accompanied the Texas Rangers into the 2024 season, having won the previous World Series title. With the trade deadline approaching, rumors are already circulating that the team may be poised for changes after its underperformance.
MLB analyst Ken Rosenthal suggests that the Texas Rangers have a lot to sell and are in dire need of a shakeup.
"They could do a number of different things and could shake up the trade deadline," Rosenthal said. "If the team doesn't come together in the next couple of weeks you can see them make moves not expected at the start of the season."
The Rangers may consider significant moves, possibly involving key players like David Robertson, Kirby Yates and Nathan Eovaldi. Although these veterans have played roles in lifts up before, letting them leave might give room for strategic acquisitions or help build up prospect lists for future seasons.
The question facing Rangers is whether to fortify themselves immediately with short-term reinforcements aimed at another championship run or pivot toward rebuilding centered on cultivating young talent, as per Rosenthal. The choice will determine not only how far they go this season but also in years to come.
Texas Rangers could have lots of pitching to sell at the trade deadline
It appears that the Texas Rangers’ dream of becoming the first back-to-back World Series champions since 2000 is dwindling. There are rumors of a huge trade deadline sale as we go into the All-Star Break.
They also have to deal with a surplus of top-grade pitchers who are out of contract or unlikely to be around next year. This unexpected move could make several players available for trades.
The expiring contracts of pitchers such as Michael Lorenzen, Andrew Heaney, José Ureña, David Robertson and Kirby Yates may be enticing. Their situations are made more complex by Eovaldi’s option-laden contract and Scherzer’s no-trade clause.
Their arbitration costs and a weak trade market for their positions might lead to even important contributors like Nathaniel Lowe, Leody Taveras and Adolis García being discussed in deals. Jon Gray may also be available with one year left on his current contract.
Although this feels like a fire sale, everything can change within the next few weeks, given that they could stitch some wins.