Texas Rangers Rumors: Reliever departs, slugger to Hollywood, JD Martinez

Let's face it, no one truly knows what the next move is for the Texas Rangers but that doesn't stop the countless rumors and trade propositions from flying around Major League Baseball about the 2023 World Series champions.

A less than stellar first half of the 2025 season finds the Rangers at 40-41 and in a seven game hole within the AL West divisional race and slightly outside the playoff picture as a whole.

Despite the best pitching staff in the league, the offense leaves a lot to be desired and so it doesn't matter if pitching is top notch, you can't win if you can't score. Texas is planning for many scenarios, either dumping talent or acquiring offense to push into October.

Chris Martin is among names likely to be traded this summer

One of the bullpen moves most fans believed was the right choice to make during the offseason was to reunite with right-hander Chris Martin. And that is exactly what Chris Young did, signing him to a one-year deal.

He's been just as advertised in the back half of the bullpen for Texas, recording a 2.48 ERA in 25 innings of work. His 0.99 WHIP is higher than other top notch relievers this season in Tanner Scott, Brad Keller and Shelby Miller.

In a recent top 50 trade candidates list, ESPN ranked Martin at 42nd and was one of the three other Rangers to make the list, alongside Tyler Mahle and Adolis Garcia. Now Texas doesn't want to part wth him because he's one of their best late-inning arms but if the team is on the decline they might not have much of a choice.

Adolis Garcia to the Dodgers sounds terrible but not off the table

In that recent ESPN article, it listed Garcia at 26th with a 80% chance to be dealt at the deadline.

We don't need to repeat the struggles he's experienced from the start of the 2024 season but since then he's been one of the worst hitters in the league and despite promises in spring training to hit 50 homers this year, he'll be lucky to hit 20-25 by season's end.

Now ESPN says likely fits for Garcia would be San Diego, Cleveland Seattle or San Francisco but we can never rule out the mighty Dodgers. The 32-year-old outfielder wouldn't carry as big of a price tag as he would have a few years ago but Los Angeles is a rich farm system with five of their players in the Top 100 across MLB.

JD Martinez to Texas?

If Texas decides now would be a perfect time to replenish and shoot for the stars, a veteran bat anxiously awaiting at home is JD Martinez.

According to New York Post reporter Jon Heyman, there has been contact between the Rangers and Martinez's camp. But nothing seems super solid at the moment.

The 37-year-old designated hitter spent last season with the New York Mets, slashing .235/.320/.406 with 16 homers, 24 doubles and a triple for the team in Queens. He's been working out and staying in shape during the season but he's been a free agent for awhile now.

Even if nothing materializes, it is a sign that the team is working to remain competitive rather than fold up the lawn chair and go home for the year. Take that for what it's worth.