The Texas Rangers are struggling this season.
With a record of 42-48, they’re six games behind in the AL West and 7.5 games away from the third American League wild-card spot. Despite sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays recently, they’ve lost 31 of their last 51 games. Their postseason odds are low: SportsLine gives them a 12.2% chance, while FanGraphs puts it at 10.7%.
Missing the playoffs isn’t unheard of for defending World Series champions; just look at the Washington Nationals in 2020 after their win in 2019. The Rangers aimed for back-to-back titles this year, but things aren’t looking good right now.
“I believe in this team,” said GM Chris Young last week via Dallas Morning News. “We just need to get into a better position so nothing feels impossible.”
The trade deadline is three weeks away, and decisions loom large: should they buy to push for the postseason or sell to prepare for next year? Fans might think it’s time to consider selling if things don’t improve soon.
Rentals:
Max Scherzer has been solid since returning from back surgery, and with most of his salary covered by the Mets, he could be an attractive rental option. Closer Kirby Yates is an All-Star, and setup man David Robertson continues to perform well under pressure. Andrew Heaney and Michael Lorenzen can eat up innings effectively, while José Leclerc offers postseason experience despite some struggles this year.
Medium-term control:
Nathan Eovaldi stands out as a potential trade chip with his impressive postseason track record; he needs to pitch another 69 innings this season to trigger a $20 million player option for next year. Jon Gray has had a solid season and could bolster many contenders’ rotations next year too. Adolis García might be on the table despite being under team control through 2026 due to his down season.
Dane Dunning (under control through 2026), Jonah Heim (2026), and Nathaniel Lowe (2026) also fit here but aren’t necessarily game-changers for Texas’s future plans.
Long-term control:
It’s tough to see Marcus Semien ($98 million owed from 2025-28), Corey Seager ($218 million from 2025-31), or Jacob deGrom ($115 million from 2025-27) being moved due to their hefty contracts. However, Leody Taveras (under control through 2027) might be worth listening to offers for if it benefits the team’s long-term outlook.
Evan Carter and Wyatt Langford are likely untouchable as future cornerstones of the franchise, while Josh Jung would also be hard to part with given his importance to Texas’s lineup.
In conclusion, while turning around their season remains ideal for defending their title properly in October, sometimes plans don’t pan out as hoped. If these next three weeks don’t go well, Young may have no choice but consider selling some assets to strengthen their roster depth for future contention in seasons beyond this one.
What do you think? Should they sell or keep pushing forward?
