Rangers Have Minimal Financial Flexibility As Deadline Approaches

The Rangers have rallied back from sub-.500 records in April and May, playing at a 27-21 pace since June 1 and climbing to the top of the AL West in the process. They’re two games ahead of the Astros and two-and-a-half games ahead of the Mariners — the latter of whom they just toppled 3-to-1 in a four-game series. They’re set for three pivotal games in Houston this weekend — their final three games prior to Monday afternoon’s trade deadline.

On paper, Texas seems to be in a good place to add to the roster. If they’re to do so, however, they’ll either need to target inexpensive (e.g. pre-arbitration) players or convince their trade partners to kick in some cash. ESPN’s Buster Olney cites rival executives who’ve talked trade with Texas in reporting that the Rangers aren’t “in a position to take on money at the deadline.” Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News suggested a similar situation in a morning report on the Rangers’ desire to add to the bullpen.

As can be seen in MLBTR’s newly launched Payroll Tracker, the Rangers have a roughly $191.5MM cash payroll and rank 15th with a CBT number checking in at an estimated $217,299,278. Texas has scaled back spending substantially over the past two seasons. Their 2024 payroll sat more than $30MM north of the current cash level. The Rangers were luxury tax payors in 2023-24 and narrowly dipped under the line in ’25. This year, they’re about $27MM shy of the tax threshold and ostensibly unwilling to climb much further toward that level.

Beyond bullpen help, the Rangers could use some assistance behind the plate and in the rotation. Danny Jansen is mulling season-ending elbow surgery. Kyle Higashioka is on the injured list. Journeymen Elias Díaz and Austin Wynns are handling catching duties for manager Skip Schumaker at the moment.

The rotation features a solid top four: Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, MacKenzie Gore and Kumar Rocker. Jack Leiter underwent ankle surgery a month ago. He’s expected back this season but not anytime soon. Cal Quantrill has moved from a swingman role into the fifth starter’s spot. He’s been solid in 29 innings since Leiter’s injury, but Quantrill’s recent track record in the majors (5.39 ERA in 365 2/3 innings from 2023-25) makes it fair to take his recent run of success with a healthy dose of skepticism. Rehabbing lefty Jordan Montgomery could be back soon, but he hasn’t been a productive member of a major league staff since he helped fuel the Rangers’ 2023 World Series victory. He’s missed most of the interim time due to Tommy John surgery.

Presumably there’s room for at least a modest uptick in payroll. Texas spent the offseason working to fortify the roster. Gore and Brandon Nimmo came over via trade. Jansen, Montgomery, Jakob Junis, Jalen Beeks and Tyler Alexander signed modest free agent deals. Most postseason hopefuls leave at least a little bit of financial wiggle room for in-season additions this time of year.

There are some interesting names to consider. The Marlins have several relievers who could fit the bill. Grant suggests Michael Petersen and Lake Bachar as possible fits. (The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon and Katie Woo reported this morning that the Fish have gotten calls on Petersen and Anthony Bender.) Miami also has former Rangers catching prospect Liam Hicks on the roster and at least loosely available. Janson Junk, Tyler Phillips and Ryan Gusto are all starting for the Fish right now and could speculatively be of interest to Texas.

The Reds have several affordable relievers who’ll be moved (e.g. Caleb Ferguson, Brock Burke, Sam Moll). The Rangers could try for a package deal with Cincinnati catcher Tyler Stephenson, but that’d presumably require the Reds paying down salary — and thus, the Rangers paying a steeper prospect price from a middling farm system. Atlanta could move backup Joey Bart with Sean Murphy nearing a return. The Cardinals are deep in young catchers and could move an affordable reliever like Riley O’Brien or Ryne Stanek. The Giants are a clear seller and could take advantage of a seller’s market by putting relievers like Keaton Winn or Erik Miller on the block. The Royals could listen on John Schreiber and/or Daniel Lynch IV. The Rockies would surely pay down some of Kyle Freeland‘s contract and have several relievers who could be had.

If the Rangers feel too crunched to make additions, they could look to trim some marginal payroll off the roster in other areas. Infielder Josh Smith is a non-tender candidate earning $3.225MM this season, for instance. Right-handed bats are in demand but scarce on the market this summer. The Rangers could try to move Jake Burger and his $3.2MM salary, then give Justin Foscue more first base reps and/or backfill with a more affordable option (e.g. Ty France, a change-of-scenery candidate like Mark Vientos/Brett Baty, or old friend Nathaniel Lowe).

One way or another, if the Rangers want to push for a return to the postseason, president of baseball ops Chris Y oung and GM Ross Fenstermaker will need to be creative as they explore various paths back to October.