Texas Rangers 'Aggressively' Pursuing Cardinals Closer
The Texas Rangers will be adding an arm to their bullpen prior to the August 1 trade deadline and it might be clear which flamethrower is on their radar.
According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Rangers are "aggressively pursuing" St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks. St. Louis (46-58) looks to be one of the biggest sellers at the deadline following a lost season in the NL Central.
The Cardinals have been hopeful of working out an extension with Hicks, but entering the weekend, talks have ceased on both sides. Hicks, 26, is entering the final year of his contract and could command top dollar on the open market following the season's conclusion.
According to MLB Network, Texas hopes to pull off a trade with one club to land both a starter and reliever as it looks to claim the AL West pennant for the first time since 2016. The Cardinals have been rumored since the start of the month to be willing to listen to offers for starters Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty, and Hicks for the right price.
A native of Cypress, Texas, Hicks has a velocity that reaches 100 mph and averages 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings. After a rocky start to the season, Hicks has come into his own, pitching to the tune of a 1.88 ERA with a 31.4 percent strikeout rate in the previous 28 2/3 innings.
The lone downside to Hick is his walk ratio. While the number has decreased since the start of June, the flamethrower has allowed 5.2 walks per nine innings. For the season, Hicks owns a 3.67 ERA, a 3.02 FIP and a 1.51 WHIP.
Adding Hicks would provide versatility to the bullpen late in games. The Rangers acquired Aroldis Chapman from the Kansas City Royals in June, but still are looking for reinforcements to stabilize the unit prior to the postseason.
St. Louis fits the bill for Texas' ideal trade scenario, but it's not the only seller who could do business with the club. The Rangers have been linked to former Texas starter and current Chicago White Sox Lance Lynn. The White Sox could also add reliever Kendall Graveman to any negotiation to finalize the deal.
The Pittsburgh Pirates, who feature the combo of Mitch Keller and David Bednar, along with the Detriot Tigers, who potentially could look to deal left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez and right-handed reliever Jason Foley, also could be trade partners for the right price.
Catch up with Inside the Rangers on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.
