Rangers’ prolonged pitching slump necessitates call to arms as trade deadline nears

The Texas Rangers’ dire need for starting pitching was on display again in Anaheim.

Any thoughts that they might be looking for another outfielder or Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy was given a big splash of reality after another round of shabby outings from the rotation.

Furthermore, while every club wishes for an overstocked bullpen, the Rangers’ relief needs pale in comparison to the rotation.

Perhaps the Rangers will see a deal develop that includes a reliever in a package deal with a starter, or a deal for a reliever will present itself separate from other ongoing starter discussions.

But general manager Jon Daniels said Wednesday the team’s top priority is adding a starter by the Aug. 1 trade deadline. If they can’t pull it off, then the final two months of the season could be one long, dreary slog to the finish line.

Colby Lewis isn’t expected back until late August at the earliest. Derek Holland could be back in several weeks but if he picks up where he left off he’s likely to be relegated to spot starter duty.

The truth is, the Rangers currently have four quality starters, two of whom have not pitched recently like they did early in the season. Martin Perez and A.J. Griffin have struggled in their last three outings, but the club expects them to fall back in line.

The résumés of Yu Darvish and Cole Hamels speak for themselves. At their peak, they are one of the best duos in the majors.

So where does that leave the Rangers in the current trade market, which isn’t exactly overflowing with available starters at the right price?

For one, it should make trying to find a controllable option beyond this season less of a priority. They might need a half-season hired gun such as Cliff Lee in 2010.

Here are five possibilities:

1. LHP Jose Quintana, 27, White Sox: In his five major league seasons, Quintana has held his ERA under 4.00, including a career-low 3.13 through 19 starts this season. He’s been reliable and healthy with at least 32 starts and 200 innings the past three seasons, a track record he’s on pace to continue in ’16. He’s also controllable through 2018, which would be a big plus.

2. RHP Sonny Gray, 26, Athletics: Although he has struggled this season, Gray’s a true ace who could be a No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher for most clubs. He has thrown more than 200 innings the past two seasons with ERAs of 3.08 and 2.73. Of the five, he’s likely to require the most value in return.

3. RHP Andrew Cashner, 29, Padres: The former TCU star has struggled in ’16 but has shown that he can be a solid starter, especially in 2013 and ’14, when he compiled a 2.55 ERA in 19 starts (123  1/3 innings). He regressed a bit in ’15 pitching for one of the worst teams in the league, going 6-16 with a 4.34 ERA in 31 starts and a career-high 184  2/3 innings.

4. LHP Matt Moore, 27, Rays: He had two impressive seasons in 2012 and ’13 before undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2014. He’s improved from last year after throwing just 63 innings in his return. He has a 4.33 ERA in 19 starts this season and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in his past four starts.

5. RHP Jake Odorizzi, 26, Rays: He has been a reliable arm in Tampa Bay’s rotation for three seasons, although he’s yet to have a true breakthrough year. He came close last season with a 3.35 ERA in 28 starts (169  1/3 innings). In 20 starts in ’16, he has a 4.39 ERA with 105 strikeouts in 110  2/3 innings. He’s gone at least five innings in his past 12 starts and allowed two or fewer runs in seven of those outings. They way things have been going, the Rangers would welcome that production with open arms.

Other options with varying degrees of possibility: Andrew Miller, Yankees (reliever); Chris Sale, White Sox; Chris Archer, Rays; Rich Hill, Athletics.

Trade bait?

Meanwhile, the Rangers have plentiful talent and prospects to offer in return. Here are five possibilities:

1. Jurickson Profar, 23, Rangers: The versatile infielder has shown why he once was the top prospect in the minors. He’d give a team an immediate starting middle infielder.

2. Lewis Brinson, 22, Double A Frisco: The 2012 first-round pick has plus speed, power and arm. Despite a .228 batting average, he’s improved his plate discipline and has 11 homers, six triples and 12 doubles.

3. Chi Chi Gonzalez, 24, Triple A Round Rock: The right-hander turned heads with an impressive debut in June 2015. He’s had to regroup since and struggled in his three major league starts in ’16.

4. Yohander Mendez, 21, Frisco: The hard-throwing lefty has 89 strikeouts in 78  2/3 innings in the minors this season, including his first Triple A start on July 5 when he struck out seven in five scoreless innings.

5. Connor Sadzeck, 24, Frisco: He’s still learning to harness his 100 mph power but has shown improvement during his first full season in Double A. He’s 9-3 with a 3.27 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 104  2/3 innings.

This story was originally published July 21, 2016 at 9:38 PM with the headline "Rangers’ prolonged pitching slump necessitates call to arms as trade deadline nears."