Texas Rangers: How should they act with the trade market?

The Texas Rangers’ 2017 struggles have placed them in a quandary. They have the trade bait to rebuild, the pieces to upgrade, and the potential to contend. In all, the Rangers have some decisions to make this trade season.

It’s panic time in Texas. The Rangers have slipped drastically over the last 10 games, contributing a 3-7 record. They added two more blown saves in that span, tallying 17 on the season to lead the major leagues. Texas is now 16.5 games behind the division leading Houston Astros and 3.5 games out of the final AL wildcard spot. Of course, the latter ranking is the focus at this point.

The Rangers may be in the most uncomfortable and peculiar position as any team in baseball. Just beyond the half-way point, the Texas Rangers are forced to reflect and determine whether or not they have a chance to contend this season. Contention for the Rangers is not a matter of a postseason berth, but a postseason run. They’ve become a team with playoff expectations every year, to the point in which the primary goal is to win it all. Unfortunately, the current Rangers’ roster does not appear World Series bound.

So what should the Texas Rangers do?

There are three options. Texas could gauge the trade market for reasonable, cost-effective additions, primarily to their bullpen and maybe a starting pitcher. They could look to sell in an attempt to restock their farm system. Lastly, the Rangers could opt to stay put and hope for the best, conserving their tough decisions for the offseason.