Rangers can't show hesitancy as Mariners push for offensive revamp

While the Texas Rangers have spent much of June and July playing the "will they, won't they" game about being buyers, their recent hot streak, as well as the faltering of several teams they're competing against, has solidified their position.

At least, winning eight of their last 10 games and being just 1.5 games out of the Wild Card should have solidified their standing. The Rangers need to be buyers. A return to the postseason is right there. However, they may not have the luxury of waiting until July 31 to add players, considering that the team standing most directly in their way is wasting no time. With the Seattle Mariners making one trade this week and reportedly looking at another, it's time for the Rangers to act.

Seattle adds, eyes more; Texas Rangers must strike quickly to keep pace in the AL Wild Card race

On Thursday, the Mariners acquired first baseman Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, hoping to bolster their offense. That was a big enough move for a team that is probably really only gunning for the Wild Card as the Houston Astros are looking like the runaway AL West champs, but the M's are reportedly not done.

According to multiple reports, Seattle's acquisition of Naylor might just be laying the groundwork for them to go after third baseman Eugenio Suarez. That trade would not only bring the biggest trade chip of the deadline to the Rangers' rival, but it would also significantly beef up a Mariners offense that doesn't have a great deal of power outside of Cal Raleigh.

Suarez is slashing .252/.325/.593/.918 with a whopping 36 homers while leading the NL in RBI with 86.

The mere talk that the Mariners are trying to get Suarez should set off alarm bells in the Rangers front office, even if Seattle doesn't get him. The ALWest rival is clearly going all-in on being buyers. The Rangers can't rest on their laurels. Even if they're getting reinforcements like Joc Pederson by the deadline.

Whether it's going after more offense (Suarez would be a decent target though the Rangers' haven't been mentioned with him yet) or shoring up a bullpen that has struggled this year, Chris Young needs to make sure his team is ready to go toe-to-toe with a Mariners team gearing up for war.

The Texas Rangers are officially playoff contenders now. No more hedging. No more waiting. It's time to make a run to beef up the roster.