After winning the World Series, the Rangers are reportedly considering dismantling: Who might be traded by the trade deadline?
At this point, the Rangers trail the AL West by six games.
The Texas Rangers, who are 42-48, are six games out of the AL West lead and 7.5 games out of the third wild-card place in the American League. Even after sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays this past weekend, they had lost 31 of their previous 51 games. According to SportsLine, their chances of making the postseason are a pitiful 12.2%. FanGraphs’ figure is comparable at 10.7%.
Even with the enlarged postseason field we have today, it is hardly unprecedented for the defending World Series champion to miss the postseason—the Washington Nationals did so in 2020 after winning the World Series, so it is not a group the Rangers want to join. Upon entering 2024, they had designs for consecutive titles.
GM Chris Young stated last week, “I believe in this team.”
According to The Athletic, the Rangers are now preparing both buy and sell situations, and if they do sell, they would not necessarily limit their selling to rentals. They could transfer players with control beyond 2024. Although it would be a tough pill to swallow, Young has an obligation to weigh the pros and cons for the organization and take the appropriate action.
If it comes down to it, who could the reigning World Series winners sell at the deadline? These are their best trade chips.
The Rangers could dominate the rental pitching market if they can find a buyer for any of the many veteran pitchers they have available for hire at the trade deadline. Closer Kirby Yates is an All-Star, setup man David Robertson is still productive and getting high leverage outs as efficiently as ever, Max Scherzer has pitched well in three starts since returning from back surgery, and the New York Mets are covering the majority of his salary.
One of this generation’s best postseason pitchers, Nathan Eovaldi, is the first name that comes to mind. It will take him another 69 innings this season to activate a $20 million player option that would expire in 2025. Although Eovaldi has been on the injured list every year since 2021, including earlier this year due to a groin ailment, that is not a given. However, he is on track to reach the option, which he may or may not exercise. The key is that if you trade for Eovaldi, you might be able to acquire him for the entire 2024–2025 season as well.
Veteran righty Currently enjoying a fantastic season, Jon Gray has a $13 million contract that expires the following year. He would improve the rotation.
