Buy or Sell: How Should the Texas Rangers Approach the Trade Deadline?

The Case for Buying

Making a case for the Rangers to be buyers at the deadline is harder to develop. Technically, they are in the playoff hunt. But pretending that means something beyond this season is fooling yourself. However, the Texas Rangers’ front office and ownership could view themselves as only a couple of pieces away with plenty of returning talent to justify a push. If they are going to be buyers it certainly cannot be for pricey, rental players. However finding guys on two or three year deals might be in the cards if Texas thinks they can chase contention soon.

Next season the rotation should still be good with Lance Lynn returning as well as Kyle Gibson. Kolby Allard continues to develop and Texas has a stable of other near-MLB lefty pitchers who could compete for spots. They could look to resign Mike Minor and pick up Corey Kluber’s team option this offseason. That group of starters, plus a base group of returning players that is basically everybody in the everyday mix could tempt Texas to trying to add a piece or two in this trade deadline period with eyes on the postseason this year while remaining flexible for higher profile pieces in the offseason.

Adding another star to this group alongside Joey Gallo would greatly improve their stock. Then with players like Nick Solak and Isiah Kiner-Falefa emerging as legitimate building blocks, Texas might feels they’re within striking distance. If they do buy this season, don’t expect them to chase the top names. They don’t have the prospect assets to go after the top players available. But they could try and snag some more role players to add some needed competition to their roster.

A player that I could see Texas pursuing in a buy mindset this year would be New York’s Miguel Andujar. Two years removed from being the AL Rookie of the Year runner-up, Andujar has battled injury and a crowded Yankees roster that has seen his stock drop. The 25-year old was optioned for the second time this season Wednesday and he looks like a near certainty to be in trade talks over the next two weeks. That type of player, who has potential coupled with some notable concerns could peak the Rangers interest as someone who provide that competition now and possibly become a building block in the future.