Rangers Rumors: Braves' Spencer Strider-Jacob deGrom trade offer would've been risky for Texas

Before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, the Atlanta Braves had interest in acquiring Texas Rangers ace Jacob deGrom, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The Rangers told deGrom they would trade him to the Braves if he waived his no-trade clause. DeGrom, 38, said no and expressed his desire to win in Texas. Other teams reportedly had interest in deGrom as well.

On Thursday morning, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand revealed that the Braves discussed sending Strider to the Rangers in exchange for deGrom. While Strider has been very good in the past, Rangers fans should be happy the deal never happened.

Strider, 27, has been sidelined since mid-June with right elbow inflammation and is unlikely to return this season. Feinsand said the right-hander could return as a bullpen arm during the playoffs.

Rangers fans should be happy the Jacob deGrom-Spencer Strider trade with the Braves never happened

Trading deGrom for Strider would've been risky because Strider is often injured. After his All-Star season in 2023, Strider appeared in just two games in 2024, 23 in 2025, and eight in 2026. He hasn't been good during that time, either, posting a 4.78 ERA over 173 1/3 innings since the start of the 2024 season. This year, he recorded a poor 5.31 ERA over 39 innings before landing on the IL in June.

DeGrom is being paid $38 million this year and is owed $37 million in 2027. He has a $20 million club option in 2028, his age-40 season.

Meanwhile, Strider is being paid $20 million this year and $22 million in each of the next two seasons. He also has a $22 million club option for 2029.

Since Strider is cheaper than deGrom based on their annual salaries, it makes sense that the Rangers were interested in trading deGrom for Strider. Plus, deGrom has also struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and is nearing his 40s.

But overall, Strider is owed more money than deGrom for the remainder of their contracts. And even though deGrom is a decade older than Strider, he has been a much more effective pitcher lately. This season, deGrom has recorded a 3.96 ERA (3.19 FIP) with 174 strikeouts over 143 1/3 innings. Last season, he posted a 2.97 ERA with 185 strikeouts over 172 2/3 innings.

The Rangers are also still in the postseason race, sitting two games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West and 1 1/2 games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final American League Wild Card spot. Dealing deGrom would've made it much harder for the Rangers to reach the playoffs this year.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow