Texas Rangers trade deadline preview: Sean Murphy deal could give World Series hopes real legs

Texas Rangers trade deadline preview: Sean Murphy deal could give World Series hopes real legs

The trade deadline is less than a week away. What is Chris Young going to do? Are the Rangers going to be buyers? Are they going to be sellers? And what should they target the most? We talk about all that and more on this episode of Locked On Rangers. Let’s get into it. You are Locked On Rangers, your daily Texas Rangers podcast, part of the Locked On Network. your team every day. You are locked onto the Texas Rangers, the first and best daily Rangers podcast. I’m Bryce Patrick, a crippingly addicted Texas Rangers fan, covering this team for 12 seasons, including all seven as the founder and host of this podcast. Thank you all so much for making Lockdown Rangers your first listen every single day. If not already, you can follow me on Twitter at PressP. You can follow the show, Lockdown Rangers. Hit the subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and on YouTube, where the best way you can help grow the show is to comment nearly any single thing below. Now, on today’s show, I’m breaking down what the Rangers should do at the trade deadline, what I think they will do, what they need, what they don’t need, and uh just an overall preview of what this deadline will look like for these Texas Rangers. Before we get into that, today’s episode is brought to you by Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code locked on MLB for $20 off your first purchase. Now, a couple of weeks ago, there was a real question of what are the Rangers going to do at the deadline? There’s still that question looming, but the main question is, should the Rangers be buyers? Should they be sellers? Should they be something in between? Should they do nothing? Should they I don’t know, uh, just sit and refresh Twitter all day. Well, we’re probably all going to do that anyway. But I think the Rangers in the last month have established yes, this team should be buyers. In the month of July, this has been maybe the best team in all of baseball. The Rangers have lost one game, just a one-run game to TK Scubble, the probable two-time Sai Young winner on Sunday Night Baseball. But that they’re five- one in the second half, and they’re 12-6 in the month of July. They’ve scored 101 runs in that month and allowed just 52, just 52 runs. They have been so darn good in this month. And this offense is looking back to close to what they we were expecting heading into the season. They’re still without Jock Peterson. They’re without Jo Jake Burgerer for a decent chunk of at least the entire second half or at least the second half so far. He’s out two to three weeks with a hamstring strain. Sam Harry hasn’t played yet in the second half. He’s expected to be activated off the IIL today. The Rangers have signed Ratty Tles who provided a big three-run homer. and uh we’ll see how much more he ends up helping this Rangers offense. But categorically, yes, this is a good Rangers team. I’m willing to say good now. At this point, 3 weeks ago, I would have said no. This is a mid frustrating bad team. This is a good pitching staff. This is absolutely a good pitching staff, but this is not a good team. And in the last 3 weeks, 25 days or so, they’ve changed my mind. Even towards the back half of June, I said, “Okay, maybe this offense is starting to wake up. Maybe things are starting to settle.” And a lot of it had to do with Cory Seager becoming Corey Seager again. Marcus Simeon breaking out of one of the worst slumps of his career to be red-hot in the month of June and and still pretty darn good in the month of July. And then everyone else just kind of following suit and just calming down and doing their thing. But I don’t know how aggressive of buyers this Rangers team should be because even though they kind of know their needs because everybody could use more bullpin help. The Rangers just got that in John Gray being activated off the IIL. Eventually this season we will see Josh Spores I think in a Texas Rangers uniform pitching and helping in high leverage in this Rangers bullpen. We will hopefully see Chris Martin back somewhere between four to six weeks. He is dealing with a calf strain. That’s going to take a while. Um, but the rest of this Rangers bullpen has been mostly pretty good. Pretty darn good. Hobie Miller been really darn good as a closer. Robert Garcia has gotten the job done. Sean Armstrong has been a good high leverage relief arm. And even the the backend guys in this the other guys in this pen that aren’t necessarily the, you know, top top tier, highest leverage situation guys have done a good job. Jacob Webb has a sub4 RA and he’s been pretty solid. We’d like a few more strikeouts, but still a really good job. Jacob Latz has been incredible this year. Starting, relieving, long relief, high leverage, does not matter. Jacob Latz has been really darn good. And Cole Win has a 150 ERA in 18 innings. He’s been pretty darn solid as well. So, if the Rangers do make a move in this bullpen, I mean, they could probably use some guys with some nastier stuff. They could probably use a little bit of health in this offense, but the offense is is kind of starting to figure it out. You could you use some upgrades, you know, offensively at well catcher has been not great, but the Rangers have gotten, you know, some hot at bats, hot 15 games from Kyle Gashoka. He might be starting to figure it out. And while he might not be, you know, the 20ish homer, 18 homer guy he was last year. He’s still providing a whole lot more in these last couple weeks before he is dealing with this half of a grade one hamstring strain that will keep him out maybe this entire weekend, but shouldn’t result in an IIL stint. Look at this offense. I mean, Evan Carter’s been really darn good. Wyatt Langford has been inconsistent, but mostly a net massive positive. Adulus Garcia has contributed a lot defensively. He’s still bringing the home runs 14 in 98 games. Still a two- war player at this point. And Josh Smith is proving last year was no fluke. He’s just a good good player that you can plug pretty much anywhere on the diamond. But at first baits, it’s kind of been a little bit of a black hole. Jake Burgerer hasn’t been nearly what the Rangers have expected. I mean, he struggled mightily for the first couple months. They sent him back down to TripleA. He was great for a couple weeks and then he was less great and then he’s been on the IIL lately. Jock Peterson is coming back at some point. Maybe it’ll be August by the time he comes back, but he’s been looking a whole lot like a better version of himself. So, you look up and down this order. Maybe you could use some help in an outfield bat. The Rangers could probably use somebody who mashes left-handed pitching. Um, they could probably use a little bit of relief help, but mainly it’s just kind of confusing because a lot of these guys are signed long term. I mean, Kylo Gashio, he’s going to be here next year as well and possibly the year after that. Same with Chuck Peterson, even though he’s not having a great year. Pilis Garcia, he’s under contract for next year as well. The Rangers have arbitration rights on him, so we’ll see exactly how much he costs. But basically, all in all, this Rangers team should be competitive at this trade deadline. Chris Young has shown as a GM, he’s been aggressive. Even last year when this team was kind of mediocre, the offense was bad. We thought it would rebound, it didn’t. Uh the pitching staff wasn’t nearly this good. I mean, this is the best pitching staff in baseball. The one need that I know this Ranger team doesn’t have is starting pitcher. And this starting rotation has been the best in baseball by a mile. And eventually the Rangers will be getting some help back from Tyler Mi. We’re thinking at some point in the middle of August is when he is um at least eligible to be activated off the IIL. The Rangers have had the two of the best starters in all baseball and Jacob Deg Grom and Nathan Ewaldi at the top of this rotation. and then filling it out with two promising rookies that have had some ups and downs, but mostly been solid and lighter and rocker. And Patrick Corbin, who’s been a bazillion times better than anybody expected, he’s been legitimately a very good, very useful and necessary starting pitcher in this rotation. And if one of those guys were to have an injury, John Gray would step in or Jacob Latz would step in and the Rangers would be fine. So, starting pitcher, not really a need. But let’s look at this Rangers farm system who I think I would say are untouchable for a variety of different reasons. Number one, their number one prospect, Sebastian Walcott. He’s not going anywhere in any deal. This guy has a limitless ceiling. He is a teenager doing more than fine in double A. His ceiling is astronomically high. And I don’t see anybody on this trade market that would be willing that be worth giving up a guy who is a top 10 prospect in all of baseball who you know his floor TBD at this point. We’ll probably see him in TripleA at some point next year. He might end up making his debut before his 21st birthday. I would not be surprised um if that ends up being the case for Sebastian Walcott, but I don’t think he’s going to be included in any trade here. Don’t even put them in there. Unless you’re saying show Otani, which again, if you’re saying, “Oh, just trade Sebastian Walkoff for Show Otani.” That’s not a thing. It’s not a thing. Stop it. Get some help. Stop it. Next. Any 2025 drafty. No Rangers drafties can be traded until I believe it’s December. It’s at the very least several months after at least the R the drafties that the Rangers signed. I talked about who they signed and didn’t sign on yesterday’s show. Good class, good crop of guys. Gavin Fiend at the top of this draft. Um AJ Russell with the second round pick and uh Josh whose last name is Evading Me as their two-way player, third round pick. Um interesting guys. They’re not going to be on the trading block. That’s not going to happen as well. another guy lower on in this list who he’s not untouchable because I think he’s going to be an incredible amazing player, but because I think he might be pretty good and the value of somebody so low in the system um is it’s not that high and it’s more worth it to just hold on to him and figure out exactly what he is. That’s Rodriguez, a second baseman/outfielder who’s crushing it in the Dominican summer league. the Rangers top sneige or nearly second most expensive international draft or international sneige in this 2025 class. Also their most expensive sneige in this class, the Korean two-way player, Sun Jung Kim. I don’t expect him to be included in any deal. He hasn’t even played state side. He won’t until next year. He’s still over in Korea and I I think he’s still in high school. Um, and I also don’t think Devin Fitzgerald or Cam Collie would probably be included in any draft or any trades. Collie is a guy who I have in my top 10. I just think his values more worthwhile to hang on to than to be given up. If someone absolutely loves him and you can go get an elite player that will help you right now, then I think go for it. Fitzgerald is crushing it at the low levels. Another one of those guys who I think he’s going to be a probably pretty darn good prospect, if not pretty darn good player. still very early to say. So, the value that of giving him away, I don’t think is as worthwhile as it is to just straight up hold on to him. Now, let’s look at who this Rangers team could target. Some bats, including one from Atlanta. It’s going to be here this weekend. Who could be upgrade for the Rangers, not just for this year, but for years to come at a premium position. Talk about who and what the Rangers might have to give up and more right after this. This show is brought to you by Game Time. Have you ever decided at the last minute to head to a ball game with friends or family? Maybe it’s game day and you suddenly realize you want to be in the stands. That’s where Game Time comes in. It’s the easiest way to grab last minute tickets without the stress. With the money you save on tickets, you can splurge on food, drinks, merch, or even invite a bigger group to come with you. Game time makes it possible. I actually looked at tickets for this weekend for this Braves series against the Atlanta Braves in Arlington and Game Time made it so easy to get these tickets. You get to see exactly what your seats are going to look like before you get there. They take the hassle out of buying tickets. They also show you exactly what it’s going to cost upfront. No surprise fees at checkout. So, take the guesswork out of buying tickets with Game Time. Download the Game Time app, create an account, and use code lockdown mob for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem code LK E M OB for $20 off. Download the Game Time app today. Last minute tickets, lowest price guaranteed. Shout out to the Every Ping Lock Ranger first. Listen every single day. On Monday show, we’ll be talking about this weekend series against the Braves. Maybe the Rangers can keep that momentum going, can keep this threeame winning streak going, maybe sweep another series and uh maybe make a trade for one of the players on the opposing team. Uh that’s the Atlanta Braves who are coming to town this weekend who have a couple of guys who I well one guy really that I am interested in the Rangers making a trade for. They also have a DH that I am not interested in the Rangers trading for in Marceluna. I talked about that on I believe it was Tuesday’s show. What is today? Friday. Maybe it was Wednesday’s show. What? One of these shows. I think it was Wednesday’s show actually. Why I don’t think the Rangers should trade for Marceluna. He is not only a DH only. He has been one of the worst hitters in baseball since June 1st because he’s playing through a hip injury. So, he’s a hurt DH only player who’s also not providing a whole lot of power. The Rangers kind of already have one of those in Jock Peterson and Jock Peterson’s on the mend. and I think would be will be better down the stretch than Marcelo Zuna. Also, I talked about Marceluna’s off the- field issues and Chuck Peterson does not have those. So, I’d rather just stick with the guy that you already have on the roster and don’t have to give up prospect capital to as well. But, there is one guy on this Braves team that I really think the Rangers could and probably even should trade for. That’s catcher Shawn Murphy. The Athletic was talking with had a article ranking all of their top deadline acquisition targets. And Shawn Murphy comes in there at 18. He is a 30-year-old catcher who bats right-handed, throws right-handed, and uh he was listed as a fit between San Diego, who is a contending team and has truly abysmal catching tandem of Martin Maldonado, which that being a part of it is awful, and Diaz, who has just not been good this year. They also list a fit as San Francisco, who I think might end up being closer to being sellers, and uh Texas, who could use a long-term fix at catcher. Shawn Murphy was probably the best catcher in baseball in 2023. The A’s traded him away to Atlanta and then Shawn Murphy promptly signed, like many Braves players do, a long-term contract extension. He is under contract not just this year, not just next year, not just the year after that, but through 2028. He’s making $15 million a year, every year through 2028. And there’s also a team option in 2029. This is a guy who is a premium bat at a premium defensive position. He is an elite defender. He has won a gold glove in the past. He was an all-star in 2023. He was one of the best hitters in baseball in the first half in 2023. Fell off a little bit in the second half. Um, but that’s mainly through a a dismal month of September that led into a not great month of October for him. But overall, I mean, he had a nearly a thousand ops at the break in 2023 as a catcher. I mean, truly, truly impressive. That year, he had 21 home runs. This year, he’s already got 16 homers and 822 OPS. The on base isn’t elite, but the slugging makes up for it. He’s striking out a decent chunk this year, including over 30%. He’s walking a little bit above league average at this point. He’s not chasing too much. The bat speed’s going down a little bit. He’s bearing the balls up. He’s still a very, very good defensive catcher. And it’s rare for teams to trade catchers during the season. And a guy like this does not come on the market very often if not for their rookie Drake Baldwin who is an incredible hitting catcher who is a rookie and is not making $15 million this year. Shawn Murphy by the way was also was really bad last year. He also didn’t play that much. He dealt with a lot of injuries last year which again he’s a 30-year-old catcher. He’s got a lot of mileage on his legs and uh these catchers their offense is so unpredictable. But Murphy was a pretty consistent hitting catcher. He’s got a 114 OPS plus for his career in seven years as a big leager. He averages in through 162 games, four and a half more according to baseball reference. He’s just been a very very consistent player. And guys like this do not come on the market very often. And it’s just kind of a unique situation where Atlanta is a seller this year. They’re not going to trade away too many pieces that are going to keep them from contending in 2026. But right now, they have a guy logging up that DH spot. So, they can’t just have both their catchers hitting pretty much every game because Baldwin and Murphy have been two of their best hitters this season. And uh when you’re clogging up that DH spot and you’ve got a really good first baseman offensively, it’s harder to fit all these guys in there to get them the at bats that you would like to make your offense particularly good. So, the Rangers kind of had to blow the Braves away to make a deal like this, but I think he’s worth it. I mean, a guy who’s signed at a pretty reasonable deal. There is always that worry cuz he’s a catcher. He could fall off. He’s got an 822 OPS this season and 16 bombs in 66 games. He’s been very, very good. Um, but I think it would take probably at least two, if not three top 10 prospects, a package maybe like Cole Drake, Yulfrron Castillo, uh, Dylan Dryling, and Jeremy Cabrera. Add in a lower level arm like Mason Molina. Maybe that might get it done. uh it would be a hefty cost because frontline catching is not available very often and I think if the Rangers are going to make a move. I think if this is the move that could make them the most improved without you know sacrificing too much. Maybe the Rangers also include Jonah Heim in this and keep Kyle Gashoka as their backup catcher. Um and then figure out where to go from there. I think that might end up being the move that would help this team the most, help this offense the most and help them not just for this year, but for years to come because this window isn’t closing after this year. The Rangers want to keep it open for several years. Might push them closer into that luxury tax, but boohoo Ray Davis, suck it up. If you want to win World Series, you probably have to pay the luxury tax quite a few years. Deal with that. Now, the next bat on this list, the next two bats, I don’t know how much sense they make. They would be rentals. um they would be interesting guys who are having good season, but Taylor Ward fits that need for a guy who crushes lefty pitching. Oh, by the way, Shawn Murphy absolutely obliterates left-handed pitching. So, that could be another way he could really, really help this Rangers lineup. But this year, Taylor Ward having a career year on pace um for the most home runs he’s ever hit in his career. He’s already at the second most. He’s got 23 bombs in 101 games this year. Last year, set a careerhigh with 25. So, already two away. He’s got a 794 OPS, 116 OPS plus. He plays a corner outfield. He can hit left-handed pitching incredibly well. This year, he’s obliterated lefties. A 900 more than 900 OPS in 83 played appearances there. And 763 against righties. So, you know, pretty good against righties, excellent against lefties. Decent defense in a corner outfield. not great as we saw a couple of big boosts from him defensively in Anaheim that series right before the All-Star break. But hey, maybe throw him at DH for the games where Jock Peterson is not dhinging. Um, and maybe throw him out there wherever you want to give either Wyatt Langford or Els Garcia occasional days off. I think this is a guy who could really really help this Rangers team. Um, this year he is just a rental. He’s, you know, not that old. Um he’s 31 years old, but I don’t think the Rangers would sign him. He wouldn’t cost as much and uh but it might hurt trading some prospects to a divisional rival. The next guy on this list, the last hitter on this list is Ryan O’Harn, who is having an absolutely massive year. Starting at DH in the American League, Ryan O’Harn. Have yourself a year. Already 12 home runs uh this year and 827 OPS, which would be the best of his career. And he’s also not far away from the careerhigh in home runs. He set that career high last year with 15 bombs in 142 games. He’s mostly been a platoon bat just mashing righties and doing not great against lefties. This year he’s played a little bit more against lefties. You know, not bad, not terrible against lefties this year, but really more of a guy who is a platoon guy. I mean, barely sub 600 OPS, doesn’t have a homer in 59 played appearances. I don’t know if the Rangers necessarily need another guy who can only hit right-handed pitching. They’ve already got Evan Carter on this team. They’ve already got Jock Peterson who’s pretty much only against righties. So, uh it might cost a little bit more, but I think it’s someone who at least the Rangers will be kicking the tires on. I don’t know if it makes the most sense, but I think Ward and um Shawn Murphy I think make the most sense for this Rangers team. But let’s look at the bullpen. There are definitely some relievers on this list the Rangers should look at. And if the Rangers were sellers, who would they sell? Talk about that and more right after this. This show is brought to you by Game Day Hue, and that’s so is the hat that I’m wearing. That is from Game Day Hue. Rocking these Rangers colors, and it is perfect. The Game Day Hue makes clean, no logo gear with teamspired colorways for every pro and college fan base. It’s all about letting your color speak. So, no giant logos, just smart, versatile style that works on game day, on the course, and anywhere in between. You wear this hat out anywhere. I’ve worn it out playing pickle ball, worn it out walking around the neighborhood, worn out to dinner with friends. It doesn’t matter. Hats look good everywhere. This hat is so freaking comfortable. It’s so breathable. And it’s not just hats that they make. They also make gloves. Check out their split shade gloves. Made for the golf course or the perfect gift for the fan who has everything. Right now, you can get 15% off with code MLB15 at gamedayhw.com. That’s gamedayhue.com. The code even stacks on bundle deals. So, now is the time to load up. Let your colors talk because colors speak louder than words. That’s gamedayhw.com code MLB15. Shout out to every making lockdown man your first every single day after every single game. Jeff Biggs is with you with the locked on Rangers postcasts live in your locked on Rangers podcast feeds and on YouTube reacting live after every single Rangers game. Every game between now and the Allstar the All-Star break the trade deadline is going to be absolutely crucial. Go check it out in your podcast feeds on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Now, this Rangers team might need a little bit of bullpen help. I really don’t know how much help it needs when the worst guy in your pen, I’d say objectively, is Jacob Webb. And he’s pitched 40 games, 45 in the third innings, 34 strikeouts, just barely below sevenks per nine, about a homer and a half per nine. Not not ideal. Fewer than three walks per nine. So, he’s not really beating himself there. He’s been good against lefties as a right-handed pitcher. He’s got that good change up. He’s been much more consistent as of late. He can give you multiple innings, but if that’s the worst guy in your pen as a 377 RA, this is not to denigrate Jacob Webb. This is to say how darn good everybody in this bullpen is. I mean, everybody. There’s occasionally some more upgrades that the Rangers could make. Hopefully Chris Martin will get back and be healthy. He’s got, you know, truly high leverage elite stuff. I would trust him in a postseason game in the eighth inning of a tie game, keeping the Rangers in it, giving them a chance to put themselves ahead and get a win late or holding a slim one-run lead coming into a, you know, dangerous situation and getting out of it. I trust Chris Martin to do that. I trust Shawn Armstrong to do that at this point. I really do trust Robert Garcia as the Rangers closer. I think everyone is so quick to ship off Robert Garcia or or to ship him out of the closer role and he’s done nothing to lose that closer role. I mean, he’s got a 272 RA. He’s pitched in 45 games of the Rangers 103 games they’ve played. Yeah. 103 games at this point. He’s pitched in almost half of them. He still has a sub3 RA. He’s striking out way more than a batter per inning. the walks have been down from what he had done in years past. I mean, nearly 10ks per nine for Robert Garcia. And that fast ball, even though it’s not, you know, in the upper 90s, it’s still elite enough stuff to get these guys out. Hobie Milner, I very much trust him in leverage situations against high leverage lefties. Same with Jacob Latz. I trust him in those situations. And then as you move to the postseason, you really only need four starters. You’re gonna have Jacob Deg Grom, you have Nathan Evaldi. hopefully have Tyler Mi back at that point and that leaves, you know, one rotation spot for the three of Patrick Corbin, Jack Lighter, and Kamar Rocker. And whichever one doesn’t get it, the other two are going to end up the bullpen. I think maybe I might go Corbin at this point, he’s been the most consistent guy. And plus, you throw Jack Lighter and Kamar Rocker in there out of that bullpen. My god, that is going to be some nasty, disgusting stuff. that if one of them is hot and they end up being your number four starter, which everyone isn’t your number four starter, it’s going right in that pin and they are going to be able to come into those high leverage, you know, situations and they might be able to live on just their two best pitches, which I think would make them infinitely better. It would be much easier for them to go out there and dominate out of the bullpen. I don’t think long term that’s the best plan for him, but in a postseason, that’s what you do. You shorten the rotation. You put those guys in the bullpen and just let it eat. I mean, can you imagine Jack Lighter in one inning outings just going out there chucking what 100 101 with that disgusting slider with that nasty kick change occasionally throwing that sinker and the curveball. I mean, having that full starters arsenal coming out of the pin for one inning that would be just unhitable. But the Raiders could always at least kick the tires on some levers. But if they’re going to do so, I think that these are some decent options. David Bud Bednar, a guy who the Rangers have been linked to for years. He’s a closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a twotime all-star. The Rangers were, you know, really considering making a trade for him after 2023. I’m very glad that they didn’t because his value was incredibly high then. I mean, he had three more years of club control. He’s 30 this year. He’ll turn 31 um next year in or I guess at the end of this year in October and he still got another year of control where he’s arbitration eligible. Last year he was terrible. He 577 erra and he got absolutely lit up. Still averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Just really got hit um more gave up way more home runs than he’d given up in his career in the past. Walked a whole lot more guys. This year he’s back to being a very good closer. David Bedar a 231 erra in 35 innings. He struck out 48 in that span. He has not blown a save in 15 opportunities. And he’s been a closer for a long time. He had 39 saves, a careerhigh in 2023. He was an all-star that year. He had 19 saves in 2022. He was an all-star that year as well. He had a 261 RA that year. I mean, he’s just been very consistent as a closer, which is a hard thing to find. I mean, yeah, he did blow up in 2024, but this year he’s back to being David Bedar. And as for the cost, Evan Grant already speculated in his Evan help us article for the Dallas Morning News. The package that he put together is Alejandra Ozuna and Ezekiel Duran, which man, given where Zeke Duran was and his value, his prospect status in 2023 and what he did for that World Series champion team, it’s wild how far he’s fallen in such a short amount of time. But, uh, I I’d be fine with that. Ozuna I had as my number 10 Rangers prospect. He is just about to be el out out of prospect eligibility if he’s not already. He was on the borderline um whenever I had him uh on my top 10 prospects at mid-season just you know a week ago, two weeks ago or so at this point. But I think he’s a guy who I’d definitely be willing to part with. The Pirates just need talent. And even though Bednar is not quite a rental, he’s shorter term and I wouldn’t feel as bad for giving up prospects for a lever with multiple years of control. I’m always terrified to make a I would always be terrified as a GM to make a trade for a reliever because they’re so finicky, because they’re so fickle, they’re so volatile. I mean, it is so hard to predict a reliever being consistent year in year out. That’s why David Robertson kept getting those 10, 12, 15, now I guess I think 16 actually million dollar pro-rated deal from the Phillies because, you know, he’s never going to be bad. He’s always going to be pretty darn good. And last year he was great for the Rangers. But making a trade for these guys, it’s always risky. But giving up Alejandro Ozuna and Zeke Duran, maybe Zeke Duran figures it out. He’ll definitely have runway to do so. And to get at bats in Pittsburgh, whose offense is uh just brutal. He’ll be sticking at one position and knowing exactly where he’s going to play every single day. I think that will help him a lot. I think there is still the potential in there in Zeke Durant to be an everyday player at shortstop or second base. A guy who could hit you, you know, 20 25 homers. Maybe that’s gone. I I don’t know. He has just been a shell of himself for the last year and a half. And it’s a bummer that his value has fallen this far. I think that that’s kind it’s a plenty reasonable package for a guy who could really upgrade this Rangers bullpen and be a guy who you trust in that closer role who’s been in that closer role. If really you really think that the closer role is different than every other role. I’m maybe less inclined to believe that because I believe Robert Garcia who hasn’t been a closer before is plenty capable of being that closer down the stretch. I mean, heck, look at what happened with with Jose L. Clerk and Josh Bores who just caught fire in October. I mean, Jose L clerk was not a reliable closer. He’s not even I don’t think the Rangers actual closer heading into October. The Rangers threw him out there because he had gotten hot a little bit down the very end of the season. But I think that there’s a lot too much pressure put on the actual closer role. If the Rangers want to go get one, I think David Bednar is the logical choice. And if it all it takes is Alejandro Ozuna and Zeke Duran, I am perfectly fine with that. The next guy on this list, Dennis Santana, former Ranger great, also a Pittsburgh Pirate. He has got club control for several more years. He doesn’t strike out a whole lot of guys, but he doesn’t walk anybody. He’s switched from a sinker to more of a fourseam fast ball. He throws a slider more than he throws any other pitch. He’s still got several years of club control. And if the Rangers want to go make a move there, I think that could make a lot of sense. And then the last guy on this list, Jake Bird, who is a reliever with the Colorado Rockies. Yes, his erra is inflated, but that’s a lot because he pitches at Kors Field. And uh if you can make a trade with the Colorado Rockies, you should do that because the Colorado Rockies are not a well-run organization. And uh usually you can get guys for uh not as much as it would cost for trading with a smart team. I mean, Jake Bird this year has a 396 RA, which in Kors, uh, is significantly better. His expected RA is at 339. That kind of shows you more of where he’s, uh, you know, more of where he should be. Um, he’s got a really good strikeout rate, more than a strikeout per nine innings, 61 strikeouts in 52 and a third innings. Doesn’t allow that many base runners. walks a few too many guys, but you know, isn’t getting hit all that hard, which is pretty impressive for a guy who pitches at cores. I think that could be a guy who makes sense. He’s got years of control and uh that would be someone that I would at least kick the tires on. But again, I don’t think the Rangers should be too aggressive at this deadline. If they want to make a big move, I think Shawn Murphy makes the most sense. And if the Rangers did become sellers, I mean, who would they end up trading off? I think there is a possibility of the Rangers maybe at least listening to calls on Adulles Garcia. I don’t see them making that move. It seems like everywhere in the athletic they’re listing the Rangers as possibly trading away Adulus Garcia. I don’t think that makes any sense. Jeff Passen mentioned Adulus Garcia possibly, you know, being on the trading block. You still got another year of control. He’s elite defender. He is an incredible postseason bat. And if the Rangers go to October, plan to go to October, why would you trade away the guy who just had one of the greatest postseasons we have ever seen by any hitter? I don’t think that would make any sense. And plus, who would you back fill his at bats with? I just don’t see that making a lot of sense for this Rangers team. But if they are sellers, I think that Adulles Garcia would be the one that makes the most sense to be on the move. But I don’t see a move where the Rangers end up becoming sellers. I would love a trade for David Bedner. would love a trade for Shawn Murphy. This Rangers farm system isn’t particularly deep and so it’d be tough for the Rangers to make that big swing, but if they do, trading for a frontline catcher on a team that just homegrew another great frontline catcher would be a great place to start. If they made the deal while Atlanta was in here in town and he just walks across the field to the opposite Dugod, that would be so much fun. But whatever happens at this deadline, I’m excited to see what goes on. And even the Rangers don’t have a particularly active deadline, I think this is a really darn good team with a great chance to make it to October yet again. That’s going to do it for today’s show. Thank you all so much for listening and subscribing. And until next time, don’t forget to enjoy baseball.

The Texas Rangers are going to be buyers at the trade deadline after a mostly disappointing first half. Texas’ offense has struggled, especially at catcher, but Sean Murphy would give the Rangers a massive upgrade for the short and long term.

Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOTXRangers?sid=YouTube

Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More
🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnMLB

Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Supply House
Join the TradeMaster program today at SupplyHouse.com/TM and start ordering plumbing, HVAC, and electrical supplies with just a few clicks. Plus, use promo code S-H-5 for 5% off your first order. That’s SupplyHouse.com!

OpenPhone
Streamline and scale your customer communications with OpenPhone. Get 20% off your first 6 months at www.openphone.com/lockedonmlb

Gameday Hue
Let your colors talk—because colors speak louder than words. Right now, you can get 15% off with code MLB15 at GamedayHue.com.

Monarch Money
Take control of your finances with Monarch
Money. Use code LOCKEDONMLB at monarchmoney.com for 50% off your first year.

Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONMLB for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.

FanDuel
Right now, new customers can get ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS when your first FIVE DOLLAR BET WINS! Download the app or head to FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bet with FanDuel—Official Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)