Even after acquiring future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer in a blockbuster deal with the Mets last night, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand indicates the Rangers are not done adding to their pitching staff. Texas is reportedly looking to add a reliever or two or their relief corps and are also interested in adding to the bottom of the rotation.
An additional starting option would certainly make sense for Texas. While Nathan Eovaldi (2.69 ERA in 19 starts) and Scherzer create a strong top 2 at the front of the rotation, southpaws Martin Perez and Andrew Heaney have combined for a concerning 4.81 ERA in 40 starts this season. Righties Dane Dunning and Jon Gray both have stronger numbers for the season, Gray has posted a 6.49 ERA in his past seven starts while Dunning’s best work this season has come as a member of the bullpen.
While Feinsand doesn’t connect specific names to the Rangers, Justin McWilliams of the Boston Globe notes that the club has been scouting Red Sox left-hander James Paxton. Paxton, 34, came into the season with a 6.65 ERA in 21 2/3 innings of work since the start of the 2020 season. He dealt with back and forearm issues towards the end of his tenure with the Yankees before requiring Tommy John surgery in 2021. Separate injuries, including a late-season hamstring strain, slowed his rehab process and prevented him from returning to the mound with Boston in 2022.
Since making a healthy return to the mound in the middle of May this season, however, Paxton has looked like a quality, playoff-caliber starter. In 70 innings of work across 13 starts this season, Paxton has posted a 3.34 ERA that’s 40% better than league average by measure of ERA+ with a 3.61 FIP. His 28.4% strikeout rate and 7.1% walk rate are both a touch better than his career norms and while his .269 BABIP is noticeably lower than his career .302 figure, Paxton would be a significant upgrade to Texas’s rotation, or that of virtually any contender.
Of course, it’s an open question as to whether or not the Red Sox would actually move Paxton ahead of Tuesday’s deadline. After all, Boston sports a solid 56-48 record. While that puts them in fourth place in the AL East and seven games back of the division lead, they’re just 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot even with the likes of Trevor Story, Chris Sale, and Tanner Houck on the injured list.
While the Red Sox have already made one “sell-side” trade so far this July, last week’s deal that sent utilityman Enrique Hernandez to the Dodgers doesn’t seem particularly indicative of the club’s future plans. After all, the trade came in the midst of a brutal season on Hernandez’s part and at a time when the Red Sox are flush deep with middle infield options: Yu Chang, Christian Arroyo, and Pablo Reyes are all on the roster with Justin Turner also chipping in at second base and Story nearing a return to action.
Should Paxton wind up unavailable, there’s still plenty of other options for the Rangers to consider in looking to upgrade their pitching staff. Michael Lorenzen, Mike Clevinger, and Jack Flaherty are among the starters who seem likely to move, to say nothing of the possibility that the Padres or Cubs opt to sell and dangle an arm like Blake Snell or Marcus Stroman. As for relief options, right-handers Jordan Hicks, Scott Barlow, Chris Stratton, and Paul Sewald all appear in the top 15 of MLBTR’s most recent Top 50 Trade Candidates list. So too does relief ace Josh Hader, though his availability is contingent on San Diego opting to sell just as Snell’s is.
Verlander
The Rangers certainly do have prospects worth getting. But I think he stays, or if he does go, it’s to another team.
I think Verlander definitely goes. as the Mets are clearly in rebuild mode.
Mets are going to make a run at SP Shohei Ohtani in the off-season.
Shohei isn’t going to NY.
Good luck with that.
@Von A reset may be the better word. No way he spent all that money and is now just saying “Oh well, I tried”. Mets still need a #1 SP.
Von – I know “rebuild” is one of the most often used words on this site, but not every disappointing team is going into a rebuild just because they trade some short-term players.
Cohen wants to compete next season. He’s got 7 highly paid players on guaranteed contracts through at least 2025, and 5 of those players are at least through 2026 (including 2 with player options).
I believe the Mets are basically doing what the Yankees did in 2016, a brief reload. The Scherzer trade was more about concerns over future performance than anything else.
As are the Royals.
Don’t forget the Pirates. On perpetual rebuild cycle for decades
A #1 SP, a bench, a bullpen, and 5/9ths of a lineup. Other than that… oh and a #5 SP, fwiw.
Snell > Verlander, but Hader fills a need. Maybe, actually beating SD would help with that, though. Sewald or Bednar would also help more.
Bednar is going nowhere
I’m interested in knowing how Hader fills a need, however, when you already have Chapman
You’re right, Snell would make a nice addition. Can’t believe the Padres are thinking about blowing up that roster already
Texas needs bullpen help. The only reliable guys have been Smith, Chapman, and a serviceable Brock Burke. Everyone else is bad. Sure, Hader gives them too many lefties, but he is probably a top 2 reliever in baseball this year (Bautista). The lefty thing is why I would say Bednar, who the Pirates are listening in on, would make sense. CY can make them an offer they can’t possibly refuse. Give them Owen White (top 100), Walcott (top 100), Duran, Cole Winn, Cody Bradford, and some top 30 guy in the low minors. At some point, they have to understand he is just a reliever, and he is worth way more to Texas as a team with strengths in other areas than he is to the Bucs, even with team control. Trades are about dealing from an area of surplus to fill an area of weakness, such that what you get is worth more to you than to the other team, and vise-versa.
It’s doesn’t matter what side harder pitches from. He gets them all out.
It was a sell out crowd last night at PNC Park in part because of David Bednar. Only opening day drew more fans
One thing that the owner isn’t fond of, that’s losing attendance and revenue
He’s not going anywhere
The Padres have no choice since their nice local TV deal went away.
They had a sellout because of a relief pitcher? I don’t think so.
While I agree the rangers need bullpen help, leclerc has been good and sborz (fip is under 3) has been serviceable.
You apparently don’t know how much Bednar is reveled in Pittsburgh. He’s a local guy having been born and raised 40 miles north of the city
I changed my tune on our hometown Pirates a few weeks ago
They’ve largely been in perpetual rebuild since the 80’s with a relatively few nice little eras in between
Nothing I see here tells me any such golden moment is coming anytime soon
I like Bednar and appreciate the fact that he’s a hometown guy, something which means a great deal in this town. But you’re right. He’s a reliever. If someone were to blow away the Pirates with bonafide prospects—and with an incompetent scouting department here, that would really say something—then I’m all for it
Anyone on that roster save for their young core should be fair game
Have to tell you that your Rangers likely dodged a bullet in *not* getting Reynolds last year around this time, something I remember you being in favor of. The guy has been a real disappointment this year
It was Bednar Bobblehead Night—that also plays Styx’s “Renegade”.
Whether you want to believe it or not, that’s a fact. Not a fireworks night. Not pierogi race championships. Certainly not a last place team
No way CY is offering that much for Bednar. Doesn’t matter how many years of team control he has left.
The perpetual rebuild part makes me laugh. They can trade away Keller for a lot, though. I’d be glad. Reynolds signed a really cheap extension (even by my measure) that’s probably in the top 20 percent of contracts. He will recover. I think that if they gave a fair value for him, Texas would be okay.
how many Phillies fans were there?
Last night’s game drew almost 39,000 fans, the second largest since opening day
The entire Pirate offense has been a disappointment this year. By the way, Santana hit a home run in today’s game against the Braves
I’m bracing for the trades that BC makes before the deadline, so I can ascertain if the rebuild will continue for the rest of this decade
Well, factor in the singing bobble heads and the fact that half of the crowds for this series have been Phillies fans. I mean, there are more Phillies jerseys in the crowd than Pirates…and they have better seats
Have to salute their fans. They travel well
Paxton < Snell < Verlander
Actually believe Verlander would be “more available” than Snell as it looks like the Mets will be in more of a rebuild mode now
While the mets are more of a rebuild mode to replace 2-3 top end starters will be hard to do if you trade Verlander last year they tried to replace 3 and you see how that worked out.. Senga is good probably a 3 maybe 2 upside and then realistically you Quintana Peterson and Megill at best 4 but more realistically at this point they seem like swingmen pitchers. Quintana is an unknown but career wise is up and down and seems to do well in the swing man role. Thats with no real prospects to push early next year. Vasil is maybe end of year next year maybe 2025 and may not push the needle much.
This year is definitely better than last year with top end pitchers (Rodon – injured half the season, Degrom injured half the season and out next year, Verlander injured most of season but creeping back to old form) with younger and what seems like more durable pitchers available this year (Ohtani -long shot i think, Nola, Urias, etc etc).
Snell trade or any bigger dollar trade assuming you send the salary in the trade will give you back your 10 spaces in the draft and stay out of the 90% cap hit as they are in the third threshhold and three time offenders as they are estimated at 276M payroll and the 3rd threshold is 273.. So just advantageous for the padres to ship out one leaving starting pitcher or relief pitcher for prospects unless they think they will make a good run.
Problem is, Verlander may bring you ten wins in a rebuild year. He’s much more valuable if he brings you a couple of high level prospects who are MLB ready. Hired guns like Scherzer and he are nice when you are looking at a pennant run but a luxury you don’t need when you’re not going to sniff a playoff spot anytime soon. And the guy isn’t getting any younger
Quintana is another guy who should be peddled for a prospect. He’ll give you 5 innings on most night but even he is a luxury the Mets can parlay into someone who can help the rebuild
I don’t know what the Mets have in terms of starting pitchers on the way to the big team, but it would seem to me that these are two bargaining chips they should use.
I’ve only watched the Padres on a handful of occasions this year but they seem to be the epitome of a team full of superstars who play as individuals. No fire. Little intensity. Lots of money. Maybe I’m mistaken, but they don’t look like a team to get excited over or be a fan of. Obviously the ownership is awash in cash, but there’s a lesson here about trying to buy a championship
@cornwhisper
really nothing .. the best pitching prospect is Vasil and if i remember right he is at highest a mid rotation guy and really 2025 is his projected timeline. Butto Megill Peterson Lucchessi (if they bring him back) are next in line and all of them show as more back end type guys peterson and megill have shown upside but not consistently for quite some time.
I think quintana does get traded which if you also trade verlander your staff next year is literally Senga and thats it. Not the best way to enter 2 straigh offseasons with most likely replacing your rotation save one guy and nothing really on the horizon for a few years especially in a ny market. I dont think either one nets you a mlb ready young pitcher or somewhat close top starter.
10 in a row for my Pads over your Rangers, deGrommer! Maybe if you guys had swept us or even won the series then we would have changed our mind about selling. Good luck the rest of the way homie!
Perhaps Verlander was the Rangers’ first choice but wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause.
Surprised that Rangers did not attain additional players in the Scherzer trade, particularly reliever like Ottavino
Or Canha LF.
Jon Gray cratered after they cut Sandy Leon loose. I believe that move was a mistake.
ETA: This team still needs two or three additional bullpen arms.
I’m really happy for Bruce Bochy, good for him.
as a Dodger fan its truly nice to see a real baseball guy getting the most out of his team. can only wonder how different things would have been for LA the last few years w an actual leader instead of a milquetoast equity hire.
Are the Rangers not interested in Montgomery or was that an oversight in the article?
Montgomery and Hicks for one of those top 3 pitching prospects?
Give them Stanton too
Stratton? Sure
They also omitted E-Rod, who is a lefty like Paxton. It doesn’t seem like Texas is worried about opt outs.
They are to some extent because they only traded for Scherzer under the condition that he would opt in for 2024.
Stymeedone – I think the Texas GM is too savvy to desire a fading E Rodriguez. Great start but very up and down his whole career. The down started after the all-star break. Nobody should be seeking Rodriguez.
Yes because he’s not a massive upgrade over Heaney and Perez. He’s pitched better than Scherzer this year!
A bit too much, unless you consider one of Cole Winn/Cody Bradford/Glenn Otto/Spencer Howard to be top 3
Winn is the only one in the Rangers top 30 prospects He’s rating out at 45. I’d rather St. Louis hit Montgomery with a qualifying offer and take the draft pick than trade him for any of those three.
3 od those were former top 100 guys, and Howard was a regular top 25 once.
Lieter or Porter. I don’t want that garbage he mentioned I want the good stuff.
they’ve reported on Hicks and St. Louis I’m wondering if Mo’s asking price is uncomfortable. As it should be, but I hope he does work something out with Texas. I don’t trust the Dodgers “top” pitching prospects, and Mo needs to stay away from trading with Tampa, and I don’t believe Seattle wants to deal anything of value for anything other than Goldschmidt.
That’s why I asked earlier about Taveras and Carter. I know the cardinals have too much OF now but like QB in football, when you have too many you really have none. A legitimate CF would be a great addition and I know Taveras was mentioned as movable earlier in the year if they thought Carter could take the spot
I think know are according to Bleacher Report.
Bleacher Report isn’t a real source.
Verlander is to Snell as quarter pounder is to pub burger AND pint
Dunning has actually been more than decent as a starter this season. 15 GS, 7 QS with a 3.28 ERA 1.19 WHIP…would be a big boost to the p-staff if he were pushed back into a bullpen role
7 out of 15 starts were quality. Less than 50%. “More than decent” wouldn’t be how I would describe that performance.
How would you describe it? Decent isn’t a hard bar to meet. 8 W’s and only 4 L’s and good numbers as a bullpen guy thrust into the starting rotation due to injuries…Other than K’s Dunning is the #2 guy in pretty much all categories behind Eovaldi…I’d call that more than decent on a first place club.
That’s more about usage than his ability. Since trading for Dunning, the Rangers have been VERY attentive to pitch counts and workload.
They only started allowing him to pitch deeper into games in late June or July.
QS are severely repressed these days due to pitch count limits and quicker hooks. Just a few guys who are having solid to very good years who are near 50% QS for the season:
Gallen 12 QS in 22 GS
Keller 12 in 22
Strider 12 in 21
L. Castillo 11 in 21
Cease 9 in 22
Snell 11 in 21
Montgomery 12 in 21
Ryan 12 in 21
Eduardo Rodriguez 7 in 15
Berrios 11 in 21
Morton 8 in 20
Senga 8 in 19
Lorenzen 8 in 18
Verlander 8 in 15
Giolito 11 in 22
Scherzer 9 in 19
etc.
Wouldn’t consider Hernandez a sell side trade, dude was toast. Offered nothing at the dish or in the field, plus the Sox had better options
Important to note that Eovaldi is missing his second straight start today because of elbow soreness.
So is this the beginning of the end of him this year? Too good to be true, but nice while it lasted. Bruce said there was no damage to degrom too and look how that ended…
These medical guys need to man up and stop being so risk-averse. Of course, if 1 guy gets injured by pitching through injury, that stand out more than the 10 aces who perform well and throw 50-100 more innings, so they need to give doctors more cover for a few bad decisions. If people are so afraid to fail, they will never succeed. Just look at all the billionaires who invested in stocks. If they never took risks, they would never get anywhere. Risk aversion leads to risky assets having greater returns, and I think pitching through injury on average is better than excessive rest/surgery. Beyond that, I really don’t trust doctors with their arbitrary comments. They get paid to do surgery, so they will overstate the risks of not getting surgery like salesmen. I can say from experience that surgeons tell you the sky will fall if you don’t pay x amount to cover some procedure and then, they understate recovery time.
Eovaldi has already pitched more innings than last year when he got hurt.
@Suit, I have said for a couple years now that Nate should convert to closer. It would be less strain on the body, extend his career, and he definitely has the stuff to close. Would rather have him closing than Jansen.
DBH: Sounds like a great idea.
Blake Snell or Marcus Stroman are their best bets
Two pitchers that are unavailable are their best bets? You’re going to be disappointed.
Boston isn’t trading Paxton to TEXAS. The Red Sox are 3.5 games behind Texas and 2.5 behind the Astros and Toronto for the WC. They have zero reason to sell AT ALL. But selling to the very team they are trying to beat out? Next level insanity.
I heard talk earlier in the season that the Rangers may potentially shop Taveras in a deal because they viewed Carter as more of the long term answer in CF. Any idea if that’s still a possibility for any of these arms they want to acquire?
I would be down with it, but Seager’s injury makes Duran the SS instead of Semien, with Foscue being promoted, so I don’t think they do it. Taveras is more reliable than Duran, due to chase rate, MLB track record, and BB/K ratios, but I would love to trade either for a Mariners’ guy under control.
I don’t think Snell, Hader, Stroman, Keller, Bodnar will get moved. Chicago and San Diego seem to be focused on trying to get into the playoffs. Detroit and St Louis are the obvious candidates to fill their needs for starters and in the bullpen. Montgomery and Erod at the high end and Lorenzen and Flaherty at the lower end. Lots of BP options on both those teams too to fill out a larger deal.
Even if Paxton were available, I’m not sure the Rangers need more injury risk in the rotation with deGrom out and Eovaldi dealing with elbow soreness. Someone more durable would fit their needs better right now.
Foscue/Harris and White for Snell or Foscue or Harris for Hader please and thanks
Neither of those guys are getting you neither of those guys.
If the Padres were sellers, White and Foscue for Snell absolutely gets the Padres attention, but the Padres aren’t selling right now and the Rangers aren’t trading White for a rental.
My bad I didn’t see white, even though he had him on there. Yeah that would get their attention.
Foscue and Harris are the same ones I’d like to see the Tigers grab for Erod Good OBP and walk to K.
If the padres trade snell they will get more then Erod brings back. Plus he was saying one of the two.
Agreed, but a Snell trade is not happening. The Tigers can fill the Rangers bullpen need as well in a larger deal. Erod is pitching better than Scherzer so I don’t think Foscue and Harris for Erod and bullpen help is a reach by any means.
They can have Carrasco. In fact, the Mets should have forced them to take him if they wanted Max.
Texas should have forced the Mets to take on Martin Perez if they were forced to take on Carrasco.
Are they trying to trot out the most fragile rotation ever?
All pitchers are fragile.
Yes. I think a risky rotation projected to be elite on average is much better than a reliably trashy rotation. Martin Perez will have a 4.5-5.5 ERA almost every season, while Scherzer can have a 2.5 to 4 ERA. Sure, there can be injuries and performance fluctuations, but thr replacement can’t be that bad.
“While the Red Sox have already made one “sell-side” trade so far this July, last week’s deal that sent utilityman Enrique Hernandez to the Dodgers”
I saw them as buying 2 relievers they needed. Kike was an extra piece, shipping him out was addition by subtraction, so the 2 relievers were bonus.
Y’all can have Alex Wood for free
Doubt it would happen because he’s injured, but trading Chris Sale? Love the guy but his days are numbered but he is on his way back. I don’t think it’s a good idea to trade Paxton.
I’m sure I’ll regret saying this, not that it will happen anyway. We have survived without Sale for a long time… doubt Rangers would bite but worth checking.
So, Eovaldi went on the IL, which explains stuff. I guess we will have to wait a few days to hear the news Martin Perez is being released.