bruce bochy
Texas Rangers Should Be Buyers at Trade Deadline
For the first time since 2016, the Texas Rangers can afford to be aggressive at the trade deadline — and they should be.
At least according to ESPN’s breakdown of where all 30 teams stand as the trade deadline inches closer.
The Rangers were 41-22 entering Sunday’s series finale at the Tampa Bay Rays and leading the American League West. It’s been a long time since the Rangers could afford to be buyers at the trade deadline and not sell off young talent or expiring contracts to fuel a rebuild.
The Rangers are listed as a "full steam ahead" team when it comes to improving the roster via trade.
Every team was ranked by what its level of aggressiveness should be before the Aug. 1 deadline. The Rangers have a 99 percent chance to reach the postseason per projections, and their projected win total has gone up from 93.9 to 102.4 since the last simulation.
That’s great news for the Rangers, who haven’t sniffed a winning season since 2016.
Just about everything has gone right for the Rangers, with the notable exception of losing Jacob deGrom for the season. But with the defending champion Houston Astros right chasing in the AL West — in spite of the Rangers’ franchise-best start — the Rangers can’t afford to rest at the deadline, per ESPN:
It is shaping up as one of those everything-has-come-together seasons in Texas and since the Houston Astros aren't going anywhere in the AL West, the Rangers have to maximize this opportunity. … the Rangers should scour the lands far and wide for every useful reliever they can find over the next few weeks.
The Rangers head into Sunday with a five-game lead over Houston.
Texas could be in the market for any number of arms to help the bullpen, including Kansas City Royals reliever Aroldis Chapman, and perhaps a starting pitcher to ease the deGrom loss.
The rankings took into account factors like odds to reach the postseason, remaining schedule and strength of division. They also considered statistical data like run differential, roster strength, remaining schedule and used that data in 10,000 simulations to project win totals and postseason odds.
With the first winning season and playoff berth since 2016 in their sights, the Rangers should have the green light to be aggressive.
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