It’s MLB trade deadline day. Will the Texas Rangers make a move?
If you are just joining, yes, the Rangers priority is a high-leverage reliever. That market started to move in earnest on Wednesday with Jhoan Duran going to Philadelphia and Ryan Helsley going to the New York Mets. But there are other Rangers trade targets out there.
Related:Live updates: Latest Texas Rangers MLB trade deadline news, rumblings
With today’s deadline passing at 5 p.m. CT, here’s a look at the bullpen arms the Rangers have been linked to the past few days:
Rangers
Phil Maton, Cardinals
If the Rangers do end up with Maton, who the Rangers have reportedly turned their eyes to Thursday morning, it might make for an awkward introductory handshake with potential new teammate Josh Jung. It was on a Maton fastball last April that Jung suffered a season-wrecking fractured wrist.
Hunter Harvey, Royals
Harvey, 30 has only appeared in nine games this season but has not given up a run in 7 2/3 innings.
Danny Coulombe, Twins
Another potential target, according to DMN’s Evan Grant, has a 1.16 ERA in 40 appearances this season.
The Rangers are among a handful of teams in conversations about Bednar, a Pittsburgh native, who has bounced back from a poor 2024 season. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Rangers, Tigers and Phillies are among teams that have reached out.
Bednar, who has about $2 million left on his contract for this year, is also controllable through 2026, which will likely up the asking price.
Bird, 29, who had a 1.41 ERA as recently as June 10, would likely hold the most interest of Colorado pitchers Texas has explored. He is pre-arbitration eligible and would be under team control for three additional years. With less than $300,000 remaining in salary this year, he’d create no additional stress on the Rangers’ payroll, perhaps leaving room to further maneuver.
Vodnik, 25, is also pre-arbitration eligible, but he’s averaging over five walks per nine innings. He’s an extreme ground ball pitcher who ranks 15th in the majors among relievers in ground ball percentage.
Kinley, 34, was traded to the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
Ryan Helsley, Mets (from Cardinals)
The Rangers were among a half-dozen teams who inquired about Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley before he was traded to the New York Mets on Wednesday.
Pete Fairbanks, Rays
The Rangers and Tampa Bay had preliminary discussions about closer Pete Fairbanks this week. The Rangers drafted Fairbanks in 2015 and he made his major league debut with the club in 2019.
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