3 potential waiver claims Rangers could make to strengthen roster after quiet trade deadline

Aside from a couple of small moves that brought in relievers Chase Silseth from the Angels and catcher Logan O'Hoppe, and an even smaller deal for Adam Macko from the Blue Jays, the Texas Rangers were not very active at the trade deadline a few days ago. Still, that doesn't mean that teams won't be looking for players that could be DFA'd from bad, rebuilding teams.

Here are a handful of veterans who, despite staying with their current clubs through the August 3 deadline, could still be packing their bags and contributing somewhere else over the final couple of months for a playoff contender. They would be placed on waivers and could then be claimed if they clear the waiver wire. There are three that the Rangers should keep an eye out for who are on thin ice and could be there for the Rangers.

Here are 3 veterans who could be DFA'd and latch on to a playoff contender like the Rangers in the coming days

George Springer - OF Blue Jays

The former Astro was rumored to be available at the deadline as the Blue Jays were sellers trying to rebuild around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. For whatever reason, he stayed in Toronto, but that may not be for long. The 36-year-old right fielder has had a down year by his standards, slashing a career-worst .234/.317/.396. He will be 37 in September and could be DFA'd soon.

The Rangers need a right-handed hitting outfielder, and Springer is in the final year of a 6-year/ $150 million deal. He is owed around $8 million, which any team that would take him on would likely have to foot the bill. He would be a proven bat who the Rangers could use with all of their left-handed outfield bats or at DH against lefties.

Miles Mikolas - SP Nationals

It has been a struggle for Mikolas, who has given up 26 home runs already in 2026. He is a prime candidate to be DFA'd and could use a change of scenery to find his groove again. Ideally, the Rangers could use him in long relief, as there is no room for him in the starting rotation. He will be 38 in a couple of weeks, so he may be looking for somewhere to finish up a long career.

Mikolas is owed right around $1 million over the rest of the season and will be a free agent in 2027. It would be a huge flyer to trust Mikolas in leverage situations if the Rangers stay in contention, but he could be had for virtually nothing and might be worth kicking the tires on.

Pete Fairbanks - RP Marlins

From 2020 through 2023, Pete Fairbanks was one of the best relievers in baseball. The past two seasons saw his strikeout rate dip, but he was still effective, posting a combined 3.15 ERA. Fairbanks moved from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Miami Marlins over the winter, and things haven't gone quite as well with a 6.37 ERA in his new Florida digs.

It's reasonable to feel that the Rangers didn't do enough to achieve their prime trade deadline need in the bullpen. Despite his struggles, one thing that has rebounded for Fairbanks has been his strikeout rate, rising to 30.1% on the season. Texas relievers rank 26th in the majors with a 19.8% K-rate, making that a useful skill. The 32-year-old has closer experience, and perhaps a change of scenery would get him back to being a high-leverage weapon.

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