Rangers' recent surge changes expectations for trade deadline

The Texas Rangers were expected to be sellers ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. Those expectations have changed.

The Rangers have been white hot since the calendar flipped to July. After limping into the month with a 41-44 record, the Rangers have posted a 15-6 record this month and have won eight of their nine games since the All-Star Break.

That hot stretch has the Rangers eyeing a playoff berth once again. ESPN's Buster Olney reported in their trade deadline tracker that the Rangers are expected to be buyers in the coming days, a stark change from expectations four weeks ago.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic took that report a step further. He suggested that the Rangers are looking at specific areas - a right-handed bat and a high-leverage reliever. Rosenthal also mentioned that the Rangers could look to add another starting pitcher as rookies Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter hold down the final two spots in the rotation.

Adding a right-handed bat may be the Rangers' biggest priority. The Rangers have been abysmal against left-handed pitching this season, posting a .216/.277/.346 batting line with 28 homers against lefties this season. An impact bat from the right side would make a drastic difference as the Rangers look to return to the postseason.

Reinforcements are coming for the Rangers. Right-handed hitting first baseman Jake Burger is expected to return from the Injured list by mid-August. Outfielder Joc Pederson returned from the Injured List on Sunday. Relievers Josh Sborz and Chris Martin are expected back around the end of August. However, even with those players returning, the Rangers could stand to upgrade the roster.