The Texas Rangers have finally found themselves competing to make the 2024 MLB playoffs, though a looming trade deadline raises questions for the reigning World Series champions.
Texas was initially believed to be entering the July 30 trade deadline as one of the biggest sellers in the entire league; however, a recent winning stretch has given the team more options heading into the next few days.
A little over one month ago, the Rangers were eight games behind the Seattle Mariners for first place in the American League West division, but the team has gone 13-6 in the month of July and now sits just 2.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the top spot.
The Rangers have managed to remain in the top half of the league in batting average at .249 during this span while having the eighth-highest on-base percentage in the league at .329, which is also the fourth-highest in the American League.
Although the offense finding its stride has been helpful to the Rangers during the timeframe, the biggest aspect of the team’s improvement has come on the defensive side of the game.
Texas has the fourth-lowest ERA of any team in the league in July at just 3.32, giving up the fourth-lowest hits at 137 and the second-lowest batting average against at .216.
An improved offense coupled with a defense that has begun to click will force the Rangers to decide whether they will remain as a team looking to offload contracts or if it will decide to pivot from this initial plan.
The Rangers have multiple players who could fetch intriguing packages that include prospects for a more long-term approach due to a combination of experience, skill, and expiring contracts.
Players such as Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates could all be potential trade options for teams looking to capitalize on a chance to win the 2024 World Series.
On the other hand, Texas could choose to take a completely different approach to the deadline and be aggressive in its search for another ring.
The Rangers will likely look to add an explosive batter to the roster rather than a pitcher since the team expects pitchers Jacob DeGrom, Tyler Mahle, and Cody Bradford to each return sometime within the next month.
Texas will have to decide which players to pursue over the coming days if it decides to go all-in to end the year.
Possible trades could come with teams looking to do exactly what the Rangers may have considered earlier in the season, as many teams will now begin seeking trade partners to take on expiring contracts in exchange for younger talent.
Regardless, the Rangers must keep the momentum rolling over the rest of the season to secure a spot in the playoffs since the team has given itself more time to get in an even better groove due to its impressive performance this month.
While the front office has already begun discussing a trade deadline approach and will continue these discussions in the coming days, the players and coaching staff must remain focused on the upcoming schedule.
The Rangers will face off against the Toronto Blue Jays tonight in the start of a three-game series over the weekend, followed by three games against the St. Louis Cardinals to end the month.