3 Texas Rangers starting pitching trade targets to pursue this winter

3 starting pitchers the Texas Rangers should trade for this winter

3. Shane Bieber

Career Stats: 3.16 ERA, 10.7 K/9, 1.09 WHIP

Shane Bieber may be the best on the list, but also the most questionable of the bunch to be traded.

The Cleveland Guardians’ ace has only had an ERA above four once, his rookie year in 2018. Since then he has been a 2 time All-Star and won a Cy Young award in 2020 when he lead the league in Wins, ERA and strikeouts. In 2022 he has been much of the same carrying a 2.81 ERA with 189 strike outs going into the final stretch of the season.

Like Burnes and Lopez, Bieber won’t be a free agent until 2025, making him a perfect fit for the Rangers. The complication of crafting a deal comes on Cleveland’s side. An unexpected run at winning the Central division could change their front offices view of their competitive window. Given Bieber is controllable and cheap, they have little reason to move on from him. There is hope however, as they tend to take a Tampa Bay-esque approach to their starters and move them at peak value.

Rumors were swirling during the trade deadline that he was available for an “exorbitant” haul. The Guardians’ also have a well-rounded team boasting the best 3B in baseball, a solid short stop in Amed Rosario and a 2B who has the highest WAR (7.0) on their team. Match that with a young and up-and-coming outfield and it’s hard to find a position to target in a trade.

Nevertheless, teams will always take top prospects at ay position if they feel they could utilize them. Packaging a pitching prospect with someone a few years away such as Evan Carter or Luisangel Acuna and a couple 15-30 guys could get the deal done.