It’s time for Texas Rangers ownership to pony up at MLB trade deadline

Before getting to the business at hand, a salute: Here’s to Wyatt Langford, who, in Wednesday’s 2-1 win over the A’s, scored from Mansfield on a pop-up to left that, had he not been so hell-bent for home, he might have snagged himself. None of the A’s would have fought him for it.

Bottom line, if Langford, who runs bases like death’s chasing, won’t quit on the Rangers, maybe it’s too early for the rest of us.

Looking at you, Ray Davis.

Only a couple weeks ago, yours truly wrote that the best option for Chris Young is to sell off a few parts at the deadline and start on next year’s modest rebuild. Nothing crazy. Thank Adolis Garcia for his service, dismantle the bullpen, coast into football season.

Rangers

Since then, the Rangers have won series from the Astros and Tigers, swept the A’s and cut their wild-card deficit in half. If they haven’t exactly forced their anxious president to plan another parade route, the Rangers at least reminded us of an old baseball axiom.

Just get to the playoffs, where crazier things happen.

Besides a championship-caliber rotation and an offense showing signs of life, the Rangers’ playoff hopes were rejuvenated by the return of Jon Gray. Jogging in from the bullpen Wednesday, his golden locks flowing like Rapunzel’s, Gray looked less like the next reliever up than a ghost from ‘23. Not just because he apparently hasn’t seen a barber since then, either.

Gray’s stuff has always seemed like it would play better in relief than as a starter. He proved as much in the ALCS by bailing out the Rangers in a critical stretch against the Astros. Might be terrific in high-leverage situations. Bruce Bochy hasn’t officially committed to his role, but the club tipped its pitch to Gray on Wednesday by introducing him with a light show and video straight out of “Werewolves.” Get it? A play on all that hair? Let’s just say Robert Garcia doesn’t get the same star treatment.

Of course, even the return of Gray in full-moon phase wouldn’t be enough for a playoff run. The Rangers need a closer. Also another bat, unless you think Joc Pederson suddenly grows fangs, too.

ESPN has linked the Rangers to the Braves’ Marcell Ozuna, once one of the most feared hitters in either league. Ozuna, 34, ain’t what he used to be. His numbers this season aren’t much better than most of the Rangers’. His remaining salary also would tip the Rangers’ payroll into the 50% penalty bracket if they didn’t make a corresponding financial move, like dumping Tyler Mahle’s contract. Other, cheaper, options are available, such as the Orioles’ Ryan O’Hearn, in the midst of a career year.

But, to get both a closer and a difference-making bat, the Rangers would have to exceed the tax threshold they’ve tried to avoid. Holding steady this year would allow them to make moves to improve their chances next year without a significant penalty after coughing up nearly $11 million in surcharges last year.

The Rangers are one of six organizations – the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies and Braves are the others – who could be taxed at a 50% rate if they break the tape for the third year in a row.

On the other hand, if the Rangers come in under $237 million, their tax rate next year would reset to 20%.

Guessing here that Ray Davis, reportedly worth $2.8 billion, doesn’t like taxes at any rate. Don’t blame him. He may not exactly be lovable, but he hasn’t been a cheapskate, either. He got out his wallet when Young asked for enough to pay Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Jacob deGrom, and there’s a banner hanging in the Globe as a result.

Spotrac ranks the Rangers’ payroll seventh in MLB, which is about right. Pretty much the cost of doing business. Only once in the last nine years has an organization won a World Series with a payroll outside the top 10.

On top of that, there’s no guarantee that filling some of the holes in Bochy’s roster will get them another title. The Dodgers have been spending like Kardashians, and they’ve only got one more Commissioner’s Trophy this century than the Rangers to show for it.

Just the same, attendance at the Globe has held pretty steady this year despite a disappointing first half. A return to the playoffs – even a quick turn — might do wonders for the gate next year.

Besides, it’s not like the Rangers look like rubes hanging in a high-rent fraternity with the Braves, Phillies, Dodgers and New York teams. Dallas-Fort Worth is the nation’s fourth-largest media market. Build a perennial contender here, and there’s bank to be made.

So bite your lip, Ray, and loosen those purse strings. Don’t give up on this season just yet. Not until the Cowboys win two games in a row, anyway.

Twitter/X: @KSherringtonDMN

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