What the Rangers ought to focus on prior to the trade deadline—and no, a postseason run is not in the cards

What the Rangers Ought to Focus on Prior to the Trade Deadline—and No, a Postseason Run Is Not in the Cards

As the MLB season approaches the trade deadline, the Texas Rangers find themselves at a crossroads. With their playoff hopes flickering and their performance inconsistent, the team faces difficult decisions about how to approach the remainder of the season. While it is easy to get swept up in postseason dreams, the reality for the Rangers this year is clear: a serious run at the playoffs is likely out of reach. Instead, the focus should be on making strategic moves that position the franchise for long-term success rather than short-term gains.

The Rangers, under the leadership of manager Bruce Bochy, have shown flashes of potential. However, their roster struggles to compete consistently at a high level. Injuries, underperforming players, and a lack of depth have been major issues throughout the season, and there is little evidence to suggest that these challenges will be overcome in time for a successful postseason push. With the team sitting far behind the wild card spots and a lack of depth in key areas, the most prudent course of action is to prioritize the future over a futile push for the present.

The State of the Rangers’ Season: A Closer Look at the Struggles

The Texas Rangers’ season has been one of frustration, with high expectations quickly giving way to reality. Entering the year, the Rangers were hoping to make a leap forward with a combination of established veterans and promising young talent. They started the season with some competitive performances, offering hope that this year might be different. However, as the season has progressed, it’s become clear that they lack the consistency needed to remain competitive in the tough American League West division.

A key issue for the Rangers has been their pitching staff. While there have been some bright spots, the team’s starting rotation has struggled to maintain the level of excellence needed to win on a nightly basis. The bullpen has also been inconsistent, with several key relievers failing to step up when needed. Injuries to important pitchers have compounded these issues, and the lack of a true ace has been a major shortcoming. Without dependable pitching, it’s nearly impossible to contend in a league where strong pitching is critical to success.

Offensively, the Rangers have shown potential, but they have often been too streaky to be relied upon. Players like Corey Seager and Marcus Semien have been steady contributors, but inconsistency from others has prevented the team from putting together complete lineups. The Rangers have struggled to get timely hits, and with a leaky defense that has often led to missed opportunities, they have fallen short more often than not.

Injuries have only added to the Rangers’ woes. Key players such as Adolis García and Mitch Garver have missed time, and while the team has had some flashes of brilliance, it’s clear that they lack the depth to truly sustain success over the long haul. These injuries have also exposed the Rangers’ vulnerability in certain areas, such as the lack of quality bench depth and the inability to weather injuries with replacements who can provide an adequate level of performance.

Why the Playoffs Are Out of Reach

Given the current state of the roster and the challenges faced throughout the season, the Rangers’ hopes of making a legitimate postseason push are growing slimmer by the day. As of the trade deadline, the team is likely to be positioned far outside the playoff picture, both in terms of their standing within the American League and their general performance metrics.

First and foremost, the team’s lack of consistency in both pitching and hitting presents a major obstacle. As it stands, the Rangers are unlikely to close the gap between themselves and the playoff spots in a competitive American League. Even with a favorable schedule in the second half of the season, a surge in performance from multiple players would be required for a postseason berth. This is highly improbable considering the team’s current trajectory, and it’s not realistic to expect the Rangers to make a miraculous run, given the fundamental issues with the roster.

The Rangers are also in a division that is not only competitive but also filled with teams that are performing at a much higher level. The Houston Astros, the reigning World Series champions, continue to play at a high level. Similarly, the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels have demonstrated the ability to consistently win games. Even if the Rangers were to improve, making up ground in a division with such competitive teams would be a monumental challenge, and that’s without even considering the other playoff hopefuls from the wild card race.

Additionally, the team’s roster is not built for a deep playoff run even if they were to secure a spot. The pitching staff lacks the top-end talent required to make a playoff push, and without a rotation that can dominate in October, it would be difficult for the Rangers to do any real damage in the postseason. In short, even if they were able to qualify for the playoffs, a deeper, more complete team would likely prove too much for them to handle.

What the Rangers Should Focus on Before the Trade Deadline

Given that a postseason run is not in the cards for this season, the Rangers need to prioritize the future. Rather than making desperate moves to salvage this year, they should be strategic in shaping their roster for the next few seasons. The trade deadline is an opportunity for the Rangers to offload some veteran assets, acquire future talent, and continue their rebuild in a way that sets them up for success down the road.

1. Trade Pending Free Agents:

The first priority should be trading any pending free agents who are unlikely to be part of the long-term plans. This includes veterans who are contributing but who may not have a future with the organization, such as outfielder Robbie Grossman or pitcher Martín Pérez. While these players can provide value in the short term, the Rangers would be wise to trade them for prospects or young talent that can contribute in the years to come.

Grossman, for example, is an experienced outfielder who can still be a solid contributor at the plate and in the field. While his value may not be enormous, he could provide a team in contention with a reliable bat off the bench or as a platoon player. Pérez, who has been a stabilizing force in the Rangers’ rotation, could also attract interest from playoff teams in need of a reliable starter. Trading these players could yield important assets that help strengthen the farm system and provide long-term depth for the Rangers.

2. Seek Out Young Pitching Talent:

A primary area of focus for the Rangers should be acquiring young, controllable pitching talent. While the team has some promising pitchers in their farm system, the need for an ace or two remains a critical weakness. Given their current situation, it would make sense for the Rangers to target pitching prospects who can contribute in the near future.

The Rangers should look for teams in contention who may have excess pitching depth and could be willing to part with a young arm in exchange for established veterans or other assets. A focus on adding pitching talent—particularly left-handed pitchers—could help bolster the Rangers’ rotation in the coming seasons.

3. Develop and Support Young Position Players:

Another priority for the Rangers should be ensuring that their young position players have the opportunity to develop fully. While the team may be out of postseason contention, it’s essential to focus on building chemistry and development at the major league level. Players like Josh Jung, Leody Taveras, and Evan Carter are central to the team’s future success, and ensuring they get consistent playing time down the stretch is paramount. Their development will be key to creating a competitive roster in 2025 and beyond.

Additionally, if the Rangers are able to trade some veterans, they should focus on bringing in additional minor league talent who can eventually contribute at the major league level. This would allow the team to develop a core of young position players to complement a newly revamped pitching staff.

4. Create Financial Flexibility:

Looking toward the 2025 season and beyond, the Rangers should be working to create financial flexibility. The team already has significant financial commitments, but they could potentially offload contracts to create more room to make impactful moves in future offseasons. If the team is able to move expensive contracts for veterans, such as those of aging players or individuals who are unlikely to be key contributors, it would free up funds to pursue high-end talent through free agency or trade in the near future.

.