2 outfielders Rangers can target at trade deadline after Braves swipe Lane Thomas

On Saturday night, the Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Lane Thomas from the Kansas City Royals. Thomas, a known lefty killer, appeared to be a top target for the Texas Rangers before the deal. While it's a bummer that Texas can no longer acquire Thomas, there are still several outfielders the Rangers can target before the 5:00 p.m. CDT trade deadline on Monday.

2 outfielders the Rangers can still target at the trade deadline after the Braves acquired Lane Thomas

Alex Call (Los Angeles Dodgers)

Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of The Athletic have reported that the Rangers are interested in Call. While the Dodgers obviously aren't sellers, the club has been interested in parting ways with players who won't make the playoff roster. Call has rarely played since the All-Star break now that Teoscar Hernandez, Enrique Hernandez and Tommy Edman are all healthy, so Los Angeles is likely planning to trade Call.

Call, 31, would be a perfect option for the Rangers to platoon with Evan Carter and maybe occasionally Joc Pederson if Texas wants to keep Carter on the field for his defense. Call, a right-handed batter, has mashed lefties this season, slashing .319/.411/.447 with one home run, three doubles and nine RBI. He has struggled immensely against right-handers, hitting just .194/.314/.222, but he could still be a valuable platoon bat and pinch-hitter for Texas.

Call, who is under team control through 2029, has recorded innings at all three outfield positions this year. He is a solid defender, having recorded +2 Defensive Runs Saved and +2 Outs Above Average in 290 1/3 innings this year.

Taylor Ward (Baltimore Orioles)

Ward would be another solid platoon option for the Rangers. The right-handed-hitting outfielder has slashed .262/.409/.421 with four home runs and 11 RBI against left-handers this year. Against right-handers, Ward is hitting just .239 with a .319 slugging percentage but still has a solid .373 on-base percentage.

Ward's power has notably fallen off this year. He hit 36 home runs last season and has just seven so far in 2026. On the bright side, he has become a much more patient hitter this year, as his on-base percentage went from .317 last season to .383 in 2026.

Ward, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, hasn't played a position other than left field since 2022, so he isn't as versatile as Call. He has had a strong defensive season, recording +4 DRS in 793 innings.

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