3 under-the-radar relievers Rangers must target at the 2026 trade deadline

Every die-hard Ranger fan has their own personal wish list of players they want who will be available at the MLB trade deadline on August 3. Still, the reality of the situation is that Chris Young and the team will not be able to acquire our number one guy, or even our number two guy on our shortlist.

The hard fact is that the Rangers will likely be maneuvering for an under-the-radar niche middle reliever to bring in for the last 50-game sprint for the playoffs. Like Danny Coulombe or Phil Maton last season, there are plenty of solid bullpen pitchers who aren't household names that could be the key to getting the team into October and even November.

Here are some lesser-known middle relievers that are realistic targets that Young will look at instead of their more well-known counterparts.

Instead of the higher priced target, the Rangers should get more ROI with some cheaper diamonds in the rough for the bullpen

Huascar Brazoban - New York Mets

There is a lot of talk swirling around Queens that a slew of Mets middle relievers will be available for trade at the deadline. The biggest name is Luke Weaver, a strong right-hander with a 1.98 ERA and ridiculous 0.80 WHIP over 41 innings pitched. He would be the dream pickup for a Ranger bullpen that currently has five rookies coming into games in leverage situations.

Unfortunately, it's unlikely to happen as the Rangers would be bidding against a dozen other teams with a far heftier war chest of both dollars and talented prospects at their disposal.

So why not take a stab at another, lesser-known righty like Huascar Brazoban, who is also having an excellent season and has pitched more innings than Weaver. Brazoban has registered a 2.76 ERA, fanning 46 batters in 50 innings. The seven-year veteran would be a marked improvement over anything the Rangers are rolling out there in the 6th and 7th innings right now. He also makes just north of $1 million a year, so he's very affordable.

Adrian Morejon - San Diego Padres

And the talk around the league surrounding the Padres' Mason Miller is legit. The guy is an alien with velocity that tops out at close to 105 mph to go with great control. Over 42.2 innings, Miller has an otherworldly 79 Ks against just 15 walks. His matching 0.84 ERA and WHIP make him the top closer in the game right now.

However, there is another Padre reliever who will probably be available that Young and the Rangers could make a real run at in Adrian Morejvon. His numbers aren't as eye-popping as Miller's (who's are?), but he has been very good, notching a 3.25 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. He is a hard-throwing lefty who has 63 strikeouts over 55.1 innings.

Morejon is coming off two good seasons with ERAs of 2.83 and 2.08, respectively. So, he has proven that he is a reliable leverage guy, while not the right-hander the Rangers may be craving. He also would make the team much more competitive over the stretch run. The fact that he will be a free agent after this season opens the door to something more long-term

Antonio Senzatela - Colorado Rockies

If you want to go completely off the radar, then the Rockies' Antonio Senzatela is your man, and someone whom Young has no doubt checked in on in recent weeks. The 31-year-old right-hander has excellent command, walking just 16 batters over 51 innings while logging a 3.53 ERA in the most hitter-friendly park in the league at Coors Field. You can knock off at least half a run if you move him to Globe Life Field.

Much of the chatter out of Denver has surrounded starter Michael Lorenzen and several other positional players like catcher Hunter Goodman and Mickey Moniak, but the diamond in the rough to fill the Rangers' needs is definitely Senzatela. He would most likely be a rental due to his $14 million club option for next season, but it could be worth it.

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