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MLB: Teams that Need to Make a Move Before the Deadline

By Greg Goldstein

Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels introduces newly signed outfielder Josh Hamilton before the game between the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels introduces newly signed outfielder Josh Hamilton before the game between the Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Texas Must Add Stability to their Injury-Plagued Rotation

Jul 24, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish (11) looks on from the dugout against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA Today Sports
Jul 24, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish (11) looks on from the dugout against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA Today Sports /

Need: Startin Pitching

Potential Fits: Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi, Matt Moore,  Jeremy Hellickson, Matt Shoemaker, Hector Santiago

Apart from the Baltimore Orioles, the AL West leading Rangers are the team most in need of starting pitching. The club is in a good spot at the top of their rotation with Cole Hamels pitching great and Yu Darvish coming back into the fold soon. But the next three spots on their pitching staff are more uncertain.

The likes of A.J. Griffin, Nick Martinez and Martin Perez have had their moments this year, but they don’t invoke a ton of confidence when thinking about Texas relying on them for a postseason start. One or two of these pitchers will do fine in the back end of a rotation, however Texas needs another quality starting pitcher, especially with the injuries Darvish has had in the past year.

The one thing that separates the Rangers from Baltimore in their search for starting pitching, is that Texas has some of the MLB’s best young talents in their organization. Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara, Jurickson Profar, Lewis Brinson, Luis Ortiz and Dillon Tate represent enticing trade pieces as the Rangers look around the trade market. Having this top-end talent, has allowed the Rangers to look at many types of pitchers available. They have the farm system to land a Chris Sale or Chris Archer, but they also have some middle-tier minor leaguers that will be able to fetch them a solid piece like such as a Hellickson or Matt Moore.

There already have been a lot of rumors of in regards to the Rangers landing another arm, and you should expect the talks to continue in the next 36 hours or so. While, a deal for Chris Sale or another bonafide ace is unlikely, a pitcher like Jake Odorizzi or Matt Moore are controllable and fit into the club’s roster very well.

Expect Texas to make at least one trade for a starter come August 1. They could even swing a deal for two. The question is how high will the team aim in their search.

Next: New York Mets

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