3 MLB Trade Deadline deals the Rangers have to make

The Texas Rangers are looking ahead after an abysmal start to 2025 and build for a playoff push. There is no shortage of roster spots to improve and not a lot of high level prospects to do so.

There are obvious holes on the team which lie in the bullpen and in the lineup. There is absolutely no reason to allow some players on the roster to continue to get playing time during a playoff chase.

There are a few trades that can push this team from underdog to top dog. This team is not far off and just needs a few more pieces.

Trades to make in order for the Texas Rangers to contend

Trade for Ryan Helsley by any means possible

Recent industry rumors are slotting the Cardinals to be sellers. Helsley himself even claimed he would be traded as well. Helsley is available and the price tag may be the most affordable it has ever been.

He is only under control for the 2025 season which means he is a rental. His flame throwing ability is incredibly needed in Texas. The Rangers don’t have a reliever capable of 100+ while Helsley is almost guaranteed that.

His 2.79 K/BB ratio is great for what the Rangers need. His ability to strand runners in the clutch and be healthy is what Texas needs. If you can find a hole in the Rangers bullpen, he fills all of them.

More than anything the team needs a shutdown closer. Helsley will walk in and immediately take that job and just looks the part in what Bochy loves his closers to be.

Add another slugging outfielder

Running out a rotating door of Carter, Helman, and Haggerty in center coupled with a struggling Langford and Adolis Garcia is leading to extremely disappointing results. There is no reason Chris Young shouldn’t add a bat in the outfield at the deadline.

Who to add is the problem to address. Jesus Sanchez and O’Neil Cruz are the ideal targets to get. If you want to make a big name splash, Cruz appears to be available and fits the Rangers offense like a glove while Sanchez can make to be a great Garcia replacement.

There is a clear and obvious need to go out and get a guy who can be cheap for multiple years and hold down an outfield spot. The prospect price will be steep as it should be. These are two players who won't just help this year, but years to come as well.

Regardless of which to choose, somebody has to be added to stabilize this group. A serious team cannot run Michael Helman out there and receive meaningful playoff push at bats. Buy a big bat and make the lineup deeper.

Trade for a catcher with a bat

The Jonah Helm experience has run its course. There is a complete lack of offense at the catcher spot recently and Kyle Higashioka’s recent injury is making the decision to start Hiem daily look so much worse.

The market is very murky on who is available. There is one big fish available that can change this offense. The catcher the Rangers need to pursue is Colorado’s Hunter Goodman.

Colorado got in early to the sellers market with the Ryan McMahon trade. This signals Goodman is next and his 18 home runs and .846 OPS is much needed in Arlington.

Goodman’s price is likely going to be steep. The market is highly competitive for offensive catchers. All prospects but Sebastian Walcott should be on the table for Goodman along with Helsley.

The Rangers in 2023 got significant offense from the catcher spot that made their lineup impenetrable. Going and topping all offers to Colorado should be top priority.