3 recent trade partners the Rangers could deal with again at the trade deadline

The trade deadline is 48 hours away and the Texas Rangers' positioning has drastically changed in the last 10 games from 50/50 buyers/sellers to aggressively looking to add.

Despite snapping their six game win streak in a weird back-and-forth 6-4 loss to the Angels on Monday, the Rangers are still winners of 9 of their last 11 games and have closed the AL Wild Card gap to half a game.

As focus turns to additions that will put Texas over the edge and into a good spot for postseason contention, the Rangers shoud look to these teams as potential trade partners.

3 teams the Rangers can connect with on a trade before Thursday's deadline

St. Louis Cardinals

One of the teams that is heavily shopping their players is St. Louis, looking to get rid of some of their top players. Most notably the names being floated around are Ryan Helsley, Phil Maton, Steven Matz and Nolan Arenado.

Rangers' President of Baseball Operations Chris Young has successful history with the Cardinals, dealing multiple prospects for Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton two years ago. That move helped set up a miracluous second half for Texas and a generational postseason run to the franchise's first World Series title.

Texas has been connected to Helsley, among a handful of other teams, over the last 24-48 hours. A free agent at the end of the year, Helsley is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 1.39 WHIP and 21 saves in 36 games.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals also have an arm that might interest Texas in Carlos Estevez and carry a decent trade relationship with Kansas City over the last few years. Back in 2023, Texas sent Cole Ragans to KC for Aroldis Chapman. Then last season Texas sent Michael Lorenzen to the Royals for Walter Pennington.

Royals are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, just 4.5 games back in the AL Wild Card and their recent contract extension with Seth Lugo might lean them toward being less of sellers. Even depsite the season-ending injury to Kris Bubic, Kansas City will be a little hesitant to trade anyone.

Estevez, 32, is 4-3 with a 2.62 ERA, 37 strikeouts, 1.16 WHIP and 27 saves in 44 2/3 innings of work. He has two more guaranteed contract years with a club option following the 2027 season. Even though he is owed $11 million annually, it is still a great backend rotation piece.

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates and Rangers have connected in recent years. Granted they've moslty been lower-level trades but Young does have a history of working on deals with Pittsburgh's front office, so there is familiarity there.

In 2023, they acquired Austin Hedges from the Pirates and earlier this season they got outfielder Michael Helman off waivers. The good news is Texas has eyes on a reliever from the Pirates in right-hander David Bednar.

Right now, Bednar has a realistic shot of coming to Arlington but the price is a bit steep as it is reported that Pittsburgh is asking for a trade package that includes at least one top five prospect for the 30-year-old closer.