The Texas Rangers were one of the most aggressive teams in a wild Major League Baseball offseason. They committed half a billion dollars to fix their middle infield by signing Marcus Semien and Corey Seager, yet they did little else to go back to contention.
However, the team has shown determination to improve, which means they could be a big player once the trade deadline comes.
Rangers Are Getting Better
The Rangers won 17 out of 27 games in May after a disastrous start to the season. Manager Chris Woodward acknowledged that getting above .500 was their main goal after that slow beginning, but they're far from satisfied.
Should they keep this pace, we shouldn't be surprised to see them being sellers at the deadline. But given how their roster is shaped right now, that would also mean they'd need to part ways with several assets.
With that in mind, let's look at three players who could be on their way out, according to Matthew Postins of Sports Illustrated.
Kole Calhoun
Kole Calhoun has been one of the brightest spots for the Rangers' underwhelming offense. He's on a team-friendly, but he's not getting any younger, and the Rangers have enough depth at every outfield position to at least consider moving him:
"If a trade partner is overloaded with outfielders, then fine, put Calhoun at DH and let him work there. The Rangers have outfield talent both at the Major League level and in the minors. If the Rangers aren’t pushing for a playoff spot, Calhoun would be expendable," Postins explained."Martin Perez
Martin Perez is having the best season of his career. He was one of the shakiest, most unreliable guys in the league last season and has been a legit Cy Young candidate this year.
But one can only wonder whether his current level is sustainable and whether he'll be back after a one-year deal. Will they risk losing him for nothing?
"To a contender looking for an additional starter for the stretch drive, Pérez would make a lot of sense — a left-handed arm that can eat innings and is having his best start, well, ever. Pérez is 31, so the Rangers might see him as a potential longer-term option. But if he keeps pitching like this, Pérez and his agent will have to look at next offseason as probably his last chance to get a multiple-year deal. That might make it impossible for the Rangers to re-sign him," Postins wrote.Mitch Garver
Even though he was recently acquired, the Rangers could still make a case for parting ways with Mitch Garver. They don't need another catcher with Jonah Heim's recent surge, and Garver's contract will expire at the end of the season. The Yankees are reportedly in the mix for a catcher, and Joey Gallo could find his way back home. Who says no?
"Sam Huff is hitting well and proving a capable backup to Heim. It’s easy to envision a 2023 platoon between the two players, which would naturally leave Garver the odd man out. He’s 31, like Pérez, and probably hoping for a long-term deal for next season. His bat is starting to come around, and whether his flexor tendon heals well enough to play catcher or not, that bat will have value on the trade market," Postins said. ]]>The Inquisitr
