Red-hot Texas Rangers still need bullpen help

The Texas Rangers currently hold the best record in the American League, but their bullpen could still use some work. GM Jon Daniels expects to address that.

At this point, it might be easier to identify contending teams that aren’t looking for bullpen help before the August 1 trade deadline. Texas Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels told the media on Friday that he was combing the market for relief pitchers, as reported by MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan:

"“The bullpen is the area we’ll look at. Other areas, it would have to be a pretty unique situation, because we feel good about our ballclub. You always look to do better, but realistically, what’s going to be out there and whether or not it fits, I don’t know.”"

The Rangers’ bullpen has been an obvious weak point this year, which is rather surprising considering the club’s overall success. To this point, Texas relievers own an elevated 4.84 ERA as a unit. Only the Detroit Tigers (4.96 ERA) and Cincinnati Reds (6.04) are worse.

Shawn Tolleson began the season as the team’s closer but eventually lost that role in May after blowing four saves. He’s been nothing short of a disaster this year, posting an ugly 8.02 ERA and 1.69 WHIP in 21.1 innings. That’s a massive downturn from last season, when he notched 35 saves to the tune of a 2.99 ERA and actually placed 10th in AL Cy Young voting (yes, you read that right).

Sam Dyson took over ninth inning duties and has done an impressive job, going 12-for-13 in save opportunities with a 2.10 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 4.00 K/BB ratio. He’s been a workhorse out of the pen for the Rangers, appearing in an MLB-high 36 games thus far. In order to avoid late-season fatigue, it would be prudent for Texas to acquire another reliable arm to lessen the load on the few dependable relievers they have.

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Aside from Dyson, the Rangers’ relief crew has been a very mixed bag, ranging from effective lefty Jake Diekman (1.35 ERA, 26.2 IP) to hapless right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen (10.55 ERA, 21.1 IP), who was recently released after refusing a minor league assignment.

Matt Bush has gotten off to an unexpectedly impressive start, allowing just two earned runs in 15.2 frames (1.15 ERA) while striking out 17. Recently-signed veteran Kyle Lohse might also be a bullpen option. Still, reinforcements would be a good idea for a team in the Rangers’ position.

When discussing high-end relief pitchers who could be on the move, the New York Yankees are almost invariably mentioned first. If the Yankees indeed decide to sell, Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller could both be made available. Miller would be especially attractive to a team like the Rangers, who could use him as a closer or setup man depending on situations. He comes with two more years on his contract at $9 million each, however, as opposed to a rental like Chapman, which could affect asking prices.

Fortunately for Texas, there figures to be several quality relievers on the trade market this summer at a range of price points.

Next: NL Could Have Quiet Trade Deadline

The Rangers have somewhat quietly become the top team in the American League, at least record-wise. They have gone 13-4 in the month of June, bringing their overall mark to 44-25 on the season, a healthy four games better than the Baltimore Orioles. If they want to stay on top in the AL West and enter the postseason as legitimate World Series threats, an improved bullpen is almost a necessity.