The Rangers didn’t make much noise at the trade deadline, and that leaves the front office with another path to explore: the waiver wire.
Texas added a couple of small pieces in reliever Chase Silseth from the Angels and catcher Logan O'Hoppe, plus an even smaller deal for Adam Macko from the Blue Jays. Beyond that, the deadline came and went without much activity. But for a club still looking to bolster the roster, there’s a chance some veterans on struggling teams could get squeezed out soon and become available.
Three names stand out as possible fits if they hit waivers.
George Springer is the most recognizable of the group. The Blue Jays were rumored to have him available while they sold at the deadline and retooled around Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but he stayed put.
That might not last. The 36-year-old right fielder is in a rough year by his standards, hitting a career-worst .234/.317/.396.
He turns 37 in September and could be headed for a DFA. For Texas, the appeal is obvious: the Rangers need a right-handed outfield bat, and Springer could fill that role while also getting looks at designated hitter against lefties.
He’s in the final season of a six-year, $150 million deal and is owed about $8 million, so any team claiming him would likely have to take on that money.
Miles Mikolas is another arm to watch. The Nationals right-hander has been hit hard, with 26 home runs allowed already in 2026, and he looks like a strong candidate to be DFA'd.
A fresh start could be exactly what he needs. The Rangers wouldn’t be looking at him for the rotation, though.
The better fit would be long relief, where he could give them innings without forcing a spot in the starting five. He’ll be 38 in a couple of weeks and is owed a little over $1 million for the rest of the season, with free agency coming in 2027.
It would be a gamble to trust him in big spots, but the cost would be minimal.
Pete Fairbanks may be the most intriguing bullpen option of the bunch. From 2020 through 2023, he was one of the better relievers in baseball.
The last two seasons brought a dip in strikeouts, but he still managed a combined 3.15 ERA. After moving from the Rays to the Marlins over the winter, though, he has struggled badly, carrying a 6.37 ERA in Miami.
Even so, there’s one encouraging number: his strikeout rate has bounced back to 30.1% this season. That matters for Texas, whose relievers rank 26th in the majors with a 19.8% strikeout rate.
Fairbanks also brings closer experience, and a change of scenery might be enough to turn him back into a high-leverage option.
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For a Rangers club that has been keeping an eye on depth across the diamond, moves like this are the kind that can matter later even if they do not make a big immediate splash. Cincinnati also added left-hander Kent Emanuel on a minor league deal after his stops in the Mexican League and Atlantic League, a reminder that clubs are still working the edges of the roster while the bigger questions remain unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Turn To A New Infield Fix At A Crucial Time
Josh Jungs calf injury has forced the Rangers to keep shuffling the infield, and the latest move came with the club trying to protect a four-game winning streak and its place near the top of the AL West. To help cover third base, Texas brought in Jonah Bride from Triple-A Round Rock, giving the roster a fresh look at a spot that has become a little less certain just as the standings tighten.
The adjustment also rippled through the rest of the diamond, with Ezequiel Duran sliding to shortstop and Corey Seager moving into the designated hitter role. To create room on the 40-man roster, the Rangers also shifted Jack Leiter to the 60-day injured list, a reminder that even in a good stretch, the margins can get thin fast when injuries start changing the shape of the lineup. [Read more 🡒]