Series Thread: Rangers Travel to Play the Angels July 8-10

[WastinSomeTime]

Need to pull Urena. Never mind Robertson coming in.

Urena's first bad game since May 31st.

 

[fanman8825]

Very thankful for the bats showing up again tonight bc Gray has been getting hit HARD!

I’m beginning to think that Garcia is still unhappy with the offseason contract negotiations and he’s letting it effect is play on the field. Time to trade him.

Something is not right with him.

 

[fanman8825]

Rangers have another good shot to make it 5 in a row tonight as they face a pitcher who has struggled as a reliever in the majors.
Lets keep this streak going

 

[donaldson79]

Rangers reportedly weighing teardown a year after winning World Series: Who could be sold at trade deadline?​

The Rangers currently sit six games out in the AL West​

By Mike Axisa

21 hrs ago•4 min read

Getty Images
At 42-48, the Texas Rangers are six games out in the AL West and 7.5 games behind the third American League wild-card spot. They've lost 31 of their last 51 games -- that's even after sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays this past weekend -- and SportsLine puts their postseason odds at a mere 12.2%. FanGraphs has a similar number: 10.7%.
It is hardly unprecedented for the defending World Series champion to miss the postseason, even with the supersized playoff field we have today -- the Washington Nationals missed the 16-team postseason in 2020 after winning the 2019 World Series -- but that certainly isn't a group the Rangers want to join. They entered 2024 with designs on back-to-back titles.
"I believe in this team," GM Chris Young said last week (via the Dallas Morning News). "I believe they are capable of a run. We just have to put ourselves in a better position so that nothing is insurmountable. This team had a 40-20 run last year. It's in there."
The 2023 Rangers ran very hot and cold and are a reminder things can change quickly in this game. That said, the trade deadline is only three weeks away, so decision time is approaching. Do the Rangers buy and try to climb back into postseason position? Or sell and try to put the roster in better position for 2025? That's the question Young will have to answer reasonably soon.


According to The Athletic, the Rangers are currently planning both buy and sell scenarios, and if they do sell, they would not necessarily limit their selling to rentals. They could move players with control beyond 2024. That would be a difficult pill to swallow, but if it is the best thing for the organization, Young is obligated to consider it and act on whatever makes sense.
Who could the defending World Series champions sell at the deadline, if it does come to that? Here's a look at their top trade chips.

Rentals​

Max Scherzer
TEX • SP • #31
ERA2.70
WHIP.84
IP16.2
BB3
K11
View Profile
The Rangers have an awful lot of rental veteran pitchers to peddle at the trade deadline. Closer Kirby Yates is an All-Star and setup man David Robertson is still humming along and getting high leverage outs as efficiently as ever. Max Scherzer has pitched well in three starts since returning from back surgery, plus the New York Mets are paying the majority of his salary.

Lefty Andrew Heaney is a competent back-end innings guy, ditto Michael Lorenzen, and José Leclerc was the club's closer last October. He's not having the best year, but Leclerc has struck out 51 batters in 38 1/3 innings, and he's postseason battle-tested. There would surely be a market for him. The Rangers could control the rental pitching market if they do sell. They have starters, relievers, lefties, righties, whatever.

Medium-term control​

Nathan Eovaldi
TEX • SP • #17
ERA3.10
WHIP1.03
IP87
BB26
K85
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The first name that jumps to mind is Nathan Eovaldi, one of the great postseason pitchers of this generation. He needs to throw another 69 innings this year to trigger a $20 million player option for 2025. That's not a given -- Eovaldi has visited the injured list every year since 2021, including earlier this year with a groin issue -- but he is on pace to reach the option (which he may or may not exercise). Point is, trade for Eovaldi and there's a chance you get him for next season too, not just the rest of 2024.
Veteran righty Jon Gray is having a fine season and is owed $13 million next year, the final year of his contract. He would be a rotation upgrade for more than a few contenders. Would Texas part with reigning ALCS MVP Adolis García? He is having a down season and is under team control through 2026, though the Rangers could move forward with their three young outfielders (Evan Carter, Wyatt Langford, Leody Taveras) and use the DH spot another way. It's worth considering.

Others like righty Dane Dunning (under control through 2026), catcher Jonah Heim (2026), and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe (2026) fit into this category as well. Good players, all of them, but not necessarily difference-makers who will make or break the next few years for Texas. Heim would be the most difficult to replace as a switch-hitting catcher with good defensive chops and a solid bat. Clearly though, these players are not untouchable.

Long-term control​

Leody Taveras
TEX • CF • #3
BA0.238
R33
HR5
RBI21
SB10
View Profile
It's difficult to imagine the Rangers trading Marcus Semien (owed $98 million from 2025-28), Corey Seager ($218 million from 2025-31), or Jacob deGrom ($115 million from 2025-27). They're all owed significant money and big money trades are always unlikely, especially at the deadline. Semien does not have any no-trade protection, however, and Seager only has a limited no-trade clause (deGrom has a full no-trade clause). Hard to see them moving but I suppose not impossible.
Carter and Langford are surely off-limits as the future of the Rangers, but there's no reason not to listen to offers for Taveras. He is under team control through 2027. Lefty Cody Bradford, third baseman Josh Jung, and super utility man Josh Smith are all under team control through at least 2028. It would difficult to pry Jung loose. He's an important player for the Rangers. Bradford, who is currently out with a back injury, and Smith are less foundational.

---

I am 100% certain the Rangers prefer to turn their season around, get back into the postseason race, and defend their World Series title the proper way in October. Sometimes things don't go according to plan though, and if these next three weeks go poorly, Young and his staff have to consider selling. They're flush with rental pitchers and could use them to improve their talent base and depth, and put the club in better position to contend in 2025 and beyond.

 

[saddles]

Rangers Will Have Opportunity to Add High Level Talent With First Pick | The Prospect Times

I have looked over the various draft prospect rankings and mock drafts to find some players who intrigue me.

theprospecttimes.com

Here is a link to my article about who the Rangers might take with their first round pick.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Langford has slashed .385/.467/.615 in July after he won the AL Rookie of the Month honor in June,

Lowe has slashed .339/.361/.559 in his last 15 games, while Jonah Heim (.306/.364/.490 in his last 15) and Leody Taveras (.378/.453/.422).

 

[jaar01]

Really enjoyed being at the game last night. Had good seats near Rangers dugout so got to see a lot of cool stuff.
Seager and Langford looked great. Semien swung the bat pretty well. Lowe is heating up. Heim has a tough night and looked discouraged. Gray wasn't fooling anybody.

But what was painful to watch was Adolis Garcia. He looks totally lost at the plate. Body language was bad. Didn't hustle in RF on that triple. Looks nothing like the player from last postseason. Just wonder if there is more going on we don't know about.

 

[scotsman#1948]

Really enjoyed being at the game last night. Had good seats near Rangers dugout so got to see a lot of cool stuff.
Seager and Langford looked great. Semien swung the bat pretty well. Lowe is heating up. Heim has a tough night and looked discouraged. Gray wasn't fooling anybody.

But what was painful to watch was Adolis Garcia. He looks totally lost at the plate. Body language was bad. Didn't hustle in RF on that triple. Looks nothing like the player from last postseason. Just wonder if there is more going on we don't know about.

maybe he's been told he will be traded

 

[Duane1952]

Something is not right with him.

Yeah, he looking like Joey Gallo.

 

[saddles]

Possible Rangers Pick Preview

LHP Kash Mayfield, Elk City​

The lefty Mayfield, earned
Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year honors in both of his last two years in high school. Mayfield is listed at 6-4, 183 pounds. He throws his fastball at 92-95 mph and reached 97. That is up from the high 80s just a year ago. His changeup is advanced and sits in the low 80s with some drop. He also throws a sweeper that has tracked up from the upper 70s previously to the low 80s.

Scouts like his ease of delivery and extension. Futurestarseries.com said of Mayfield, “Mayfield is a long, lanky lefty with deceptive angle and an ease and fluidity about his operation. He makes pitching look like an art form. The body, delivery and pitching mechanics are super projectable.”

Over his last two seasons in high school, Mayfield gave up 19 hits and 21 walks while striking out 224 batters in 90.2 innings. This season he posted an 8-0 record and an 0.16 ERA in 44 innings. He struck out 115, allowed only 4 hits, and walked only 8, while holding opponents to a .030 batting average.

 

[saddles]

Mahle to start tonight for Frisco.

 

[saddles]

Owen White starts tonight for Round Rock. I know, I know, but he did have a very good outing the last time out. I guess I am desperate to have a starting pitcher look great at AAA. I am not counting on him having a great outing tonight, but I will be paying attention with some faint optimism.

 

[Duane1952]

Rangers Will Have Opportunity to Add High Level Talent With First Pick | The Prospect Times

I have looked over the various draft prospect rankings and mock drafts to find some players who intrigue me.

theprospecttimes.com

Here is a link to my article about who the Rangers might take with their first round pick.

I read before that some are predicting Janek to the Rangers.

 

[saddles]

Tepid's comments about Baseball America’s latest Rangers top prospects lost that just came out:

Whoa. As expected, there's significant movement in the Rangers' mid-season update. Most notable is my man Alejandro Rosario going from unrated to...# 4! FB and FB command remain the kingmakers. Winston Santos up to 5, Teodo up to 7. Brock Porter down to 22. Abi Ortiz down to 28.

 

[saddles]

I read before that some are predicting Janek to the Rangers.

Yeah, he would be great to have. I have seen some mock drafts that have the Astros grabbing him just a couple of picks before us.

 

[saddles]

Owen White starts tonight for Round Rock. I know, I know, but he did have a very good outing the last time out. I guess I am desperate to have a starting pitcher look great at AAA. I am not counting on him having a great outing tonight, but I will be paying attention with some faint optimism.

Just forget I even posted this. They played this afternoon and it was catastrophic.

 

[Duane1952]

Just forget I even posted this. They played this afternoon and it was catastrophic.

Don’t think he will ever be a good major league pitcher.

 

[saddles]

Just forget I even posted this. They played this afternoon and it was catastrophic.

Meanwhile, both Dustin Harris and Justin Foscue went 5 for 5. 2 doubles for Harris and 1 each for Foscue and Crim.

Crim, by the way, has rebounded from his terrible start to this season. He is 17 for his last 37 with 4 doubles and 8 walks. (.459/..555/..568/1.123)

 

[saddles]

Who the "experts" say the rangers will take:

MLB Pipeline: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston State​

Baseball America: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford​

ESPN: Tommy White, 3B, LSU​

 

[saddles]

Other guesses as to who the Rangers take

Future Star Series: Brody, RHP, Iowa

Baseball Prospect Journal: Walker Janek, C, Sam Houston

Just Baseball: Kellon Lindsey – SS – (Hardee HS, FL)​

USA Today: Theo Gillen, SS, Westlake High School (TX)​

Bleacher Report: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford​

Pitcher List: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennesse​

FLO Baseball: Billy Amick, Tennessee Baseball, 3B​