MLB Trade Rumors: Rangers Have Arms to Trade

It’s widely accepted that the Texas Rangers have an excess of arms.  While the old cliché, ‘you can never have too much pitching’, does hold true, the Rangers are set to enter the season sending several capable starters to their bullpen.  On top of this, Texas already has a glut of right-hand relievers on their roster.  These two factors combine to equal much trade speculation surrounding the Rangers.

Right-handed reliever Koji Uehara was voted ‘Most Likely to be Traded’ following the Rangers World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.  The veteran was left off of Texas’s World Series roster and he was viewed as expendable by Rangers brass.

But a trade hasn’t happened.  The Rangers have tried, Uehara has blocked at least one deal this offseason, but Texas is now saying they’re comfortable entering the season with Uehara on their team.

Beyond Uehara, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweeted yesterday that the Rangers could also look to deal Mark Lowe before the season begins.  Lowe, 28, maintained an ERA and WHIP of 3.80 and 1.444 over his 45 innings of work last season while posting a SO/9 and BB/9 of 8.4 and 3.8.

There is also an outside chance that Texas could part with a starting pitcher this spring.  As things stand, the Rangers could send a pair of capable starters, Alexi Ogando and Scott Feldman, to the ‘pen.  While the Rangers have said they are inclined to keep the versatile arms, teams in need of rotation help could throw a strong offer Texas’s way later this spring.

For more on the Rangers, be sure to check out Nolan Writin’.

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