4 impact moves Rangers can make to retool and contend

We are now 52 games into the regular season and somehow the Texas Rangers are still in contention despite some of the worst offensive productions in recent memory.

A team performing like the Rangers have to start the year makes it difficult on a front office to make a decision on a path to pursue at the trade deadline nears. On one hand, they are a handful of games out of first place in the division while on the other hand, they have shown no signs of being contenders.

That presents President of Baseball Operations Chris Young with an important question to answer. Is he a seller or buyer at the Trade Deadline? In some ways, he can do both and this is what I propose.

4 in-season moves the Rangers can make to rebuild but still contend in 2025

Trade an over-performing pitcher for proven offense

The only reason Texas isn't 10 games under. 500 right now is because their starting pitching is keeping them afloat. Therefore, that presents an opportunity Young can take advantage of.

Taking a look around the American League, Texas is currently in position with three early season Cy Young candidates in Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle. Then thanks to Mike Maddux, Patrick Corbin has been showcasing a bounceback season with an impressive 3.59 ERA through 8 games.

Corbin and Mahle would be the two arms that Texas could realistically part with for a relatively decent return. What would they receive though? The offense is struggling at most positions so any utility update would work.

While he's not young, Wilmer Flores would be a great add for this team as it fits the 1B/DH role. Currently he's hitting .257 with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs, numbers that would lead the Rangers this year. Other options could be outfielder Kyle Stowers in Miami, Cedric Mullins in Baltimore or Luis Robert in Chicago.

Get struggling salary off the books (as much as you can)

Honestly, the Rangers don't have a lot of players that would qualify for this but they do have some.

Most notable, newest add Joc Pederson and infielder Marcus Semien. Combined both are set to receive $90 million over the next two seasons (not including the rest of 2025) with minimal production this season.

Pederson is in the first year of his contract and is hitting .134 with a .514 OPS in a 119 at-bat sample size to kick off the season. Semien on the other hand is hitting .178 and since last season he's been one of the worst qualified hitters league-wide.

Getting rid of Pederson is probably above Semien on the priority list. It's unfortunate to admit that a free agent signing was a mistake but so far it has been for Pederson. It happens. Sooner or later, Texas will have to admit their fault and do whatever they can to part ways with him.

For Semien, his reputation in the league and his efforts in getting the team their first World Series title back in 2023 will give him a bit of leeway. While Young, Bruce Bochy and his teams believe in him to turn things around, how long will that belief last until they are forced to make a change?

Calling up the young bucks

Sometimes the fresh, motivated guys can spark life into a rather lifeless situation. We saw it firsthand in 2023 when Evan Carter was called up in September and gave an extra boost that lasted throughout their 17 game postseason run.

While Texas might not have the best farm system on paper and in national rankings, they have perhaps the best player in Sebastian Walcott, as well as, outfielder Alejandro Osuna and reliever Emiliano Teodo.

Walcott and Osuna would be a great add if they can come up and provide that life but also offer real offensive production that is sorely missing from the lineup. Then Teodo would give a youthful, strong arm in the bullpen to give Texas another option with Chris Martin going on the IL, while Luke Jackson and the rest of the crew have taken steps backwards lately.

They will replace veterans such as Sam Haggerty, Marcus Semien, Joc Pederson, etc. that are struggling or just not long-term fits. Not only might it provide immediate impact but it was start the gelling process early as well.

Move Corey Seager to DH, make Josh Smith everyday shortstop

This has been proposed many times by frustrated fans online and while early on I scoffed at the idea, it doesn't seem to be that bad of an option.

Seager is still massively productive but what gets him into trouble is his inability to stay healthy. While it hasn't hurt the Rangers in a big way, yet, time is likely coming. Sure, Seager got hurt recently as a runner but taking him off of short will prolong his health.

In the meantime, Smith, who is one of the team's best. all-around players has above-average defensive skills at shortstop and according to Baseball Savant, a stronger arm than Seager.

Not aruging to make this a permanent move but it should be more on the mind of Bochy and the coaching staff once Seager returns from his most recent IL stint. His bat is too valuable to not have in the lineup and when he does play, Texas has been 15-11 with him this year.

Long-term, Seager doesn't seem to be a shortstop near the backend of his contract. Especially not with the emergence of Walcott. So why not get him a little more used to DHing or even teach him to play first base.