The Texas Rangers are still sitting in first place in the AL West at 43-42, and they’ve done it with a run differential of minus-5. That’s a strange-looking profile for a division leader, but it also points to one obvious place Texas could try to sharpen things up before the trade deadline: the bullpen.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand flagged relief help as a need for the Rangers, noting that while Texas relievers have a 3.82 ERA - fifth-best in the American League - the group doesn’t bring many swing-and-miss weapons. In his view, that’s the kind of arm the Rangers should be hunting over the next month.
“The Rangers’ 7.8 strikeouts per nine ranks last among all AL bullpens, so adding some hard-throwing, high-leverage relievers could be in the cards,” Feinsand added. “Perhaps a reunion with Aroldis Chapman? It worked in 2023, so you never know.”
That name will grab attention in Texas. Chapman is now with the Boston Red Sox, but he was part of the Rangers’ World Series run three seasons ago. He also brings exactly the sort of missing ingredient Feinsand pointed to: as of Tuesday, Chapman owns a 29.8% WHIFF rate and is striking out 11.7 batters per nine innings.
The fit would make sense on paper, but Boston has to decide it’s ready to sell before anything like that can happen. And right now, the Red Sox are not exactly drifting out of the race. After sweeping the New York Yankees, they’re suddenly only 4.5 games back in the Wild Card chase.
In Other News...
Corey Seager Exit Leaves Rangers Facing Another Alarming Problem
Corey Seagers latest exit only added to the uneasy feeling around the Rangers offense. Removed from the game against the Guardians because of back discomfort, he has been trying to navigate a managed workload after already missing time earlier this season with lower back inflammation and then again after a concussion. For Texas, the concern is bigger than one night, because Seager has spent much of the season trying to stay on the field while the team carefully balances his health and his production.
The Rangers had recently placed him on a planned off-day schedule to help keep another injury from surfacing, but that approach now appears to be under strain. Seagers playing time has already been affected by the sequence of issues, and any further setback would leave Texas scrambling to preserve one of its most important hitters while also trying to keep the bigger picture intact. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Roster Moves Sent A Clear Message About Their Rotation Trouble
The Rangers kept busy on Monday, adding veteran right-hander Chris Paddack and selecting the contract of Cameron Cauley as the latest sign they are still trying to patch together their pitching depth. Paddack made it through four innings against the Cleveland Guardians, and the moves fit a roster picture that has been shifting for a while as Texas looks for ways to stabilize the staff.
With Jack Leiter out until at least August after ankle surgery and Jordan Montgomery still about a month away from returning from Tommy John surgery, the need for reinforcements is hard to miss. Texas has also kept a 40-man roster spot open for the possibility of another veteran free-agent arm, which leaves the door open for more movement if the right pitcher becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Could Find The Deadline Help They Need From The Mets
Fresh off a four-game sweep that pushed Texas to the top of the AL West, the Rangers have given themselves a clearer path into deadline season. With the Mets stumbling through a disappointing year and already moving on from Carlos Mendoza, New York has started to look more like a club that could listen than one that will try to add, and that kind of shift can create opportunity for a contender looking to tighten a roster for the stretch run.
For Texas, the appeal is obvious: help in the bullpen and another bat that could fit around the current lineup without forcing a major overhaul. The Rangers have not confirmed any pursuit, but the Mets situation has naturally put a few names into the conversation as possible fits for a club trying to keep its division lead while patching holes before the deadline arrives. [Read more 🡒]