Texas Rangers Trade Targets: Starting Rotation

Jul 3, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Chi Chi  Gonzalez (21) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

While much of the focus the past couple of weeks has been on the lackluster hitting, the Texas Rangers have several holes that are in need of being filled. Just a week ago, it seemed like the team had too many starting pitchers and there would be no room for Martin Perez or Matt Harrison. Chi Chi Gonzalez looked like a favorite for American League Rookie of the Year and Nick Martinez spent his first month of the year looking like he could win Most Improved Player of the Year.

In just the past week, both Gonzalez and Martinez have been optioned to Triple-A Round Rock for both rest and to try to restart their seasons like Rougned Odor was able to do. Martinez was replaced on the roster with Neftali Feliz, who pitched in just one game before being optioned back down to Round Rock. Feliz was replaced with Harrison who will make his first start on Wednesday. Gonzalez was replaced with Anthony Ranaudo who will likely make a start next weekend.

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For the season, Rangers’ starters have a 28-29 record with a 3.95 ERA in 471.2 innings. In June, the starters have had a 11-7 record and have a 3.27 ERA. A lot of this drop in ERA is due to the 0.54 ERA put up by Yovani Gallardo, with other June ERA figures put up by the staff including a 3.29 by Colby Lewis, 6.35 by Martinez, 3.00 by Gonzalez, and a 4.50 by Wandy Rodriguez. These figures would be average on a team that is doing well offensively but even with an ERA of 3.00, Gonzalez had a 1-3 record for the month.

In summary, the Rangers staff has had many recent missteps and may be in the market for a starting pitcher more than they were just a couple of weeks ago. With many great pitchers on the market, some with high prices, who could the Rangers target before the July 31st trade deadline?

Check out the top trade targets for a bullpen arm.

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