Rangers should try to trade this veteran starter in a salary dump deal

The Rangers are seeking to rebuild their major league roster to get back to their Postseason ways. One group that needs to improve is their pitching staff, especially after losing eight arms to free agency. Texas has a lot of expensive players on the roster, but they should let go of one in particular and try to save some money.

This specific player is Tyler Mahle, a 30 year old right hander who the Rangers signed last offseason. His salary for 2025 is set at $16.5 million, which appears to be too high for someone who has tossed a combined 38.1 innings over the last two seasons.

Rangers should try to trade this veteran starter in a salary dump deal

His salary brings down his value a ton. Many teams would be disinterested by his salary, including the Rangers. But, he also brings some benefits that would make teams want to acquire him. Any team that would be willing to take on Mahle's contract would likely demand money from the Rangers. Texas would not get stuck paying the entire salary, but they may be on the hook for something like 25% of it.

Last season, Mahle pitched across 12.2 innings after returning from Tommy John Surgery in 2023. In his small sample size, he posted an earned run average of 4.97 with a WHIP of 1.42 and a FIP of 3.80. He avoided opposing barrels with an impressive 4.9% rate and held opponents to a hard-hit rate of 34.1%.

Similarly in 2023, Mahle pitched less than 30 innings, but was solid in his small amount of work. He pitched 120.2 innings in 2022, posting a 4.40 earned run average with a WHIP of 1.22 and a FIP of 3.87.

He did not have a terrible season in 2022, but that was two summers ago. His injury history makes his value dicey. If the Rangers can get a deal worked out to dump his salary, then they should absolutely do it. Getting that big amount of money off of the payroll would help Texas sign better free agents this offseason, and perhaps get back into the October tournament.