What the trade deadline means for the Texas Rangers’ playoff push
The Major League Baseball trade deadline is on July 31. What should fans know about the Texas Rangers heading into the important date?
Entering Friday’s weekend series against the visiting Detroit Tigers, the Rangers own a 48-49 record and are in third place in the AL West behind the Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros. The Rangers are also 3.5 games back in the wildcard standings, behind the Tampa Bay Rays. According to Fangraphs, the Rangers have a 17.8% chance of making the playoffs.
The Rangers’ positioning puts them in an interesting position ahead of the trade deadline.
The Rangers, among others, on the outside looking in, still have 65 games remaining in the season. With so many games left, the Rangers could be either buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.
The Rangers’ offense, has trended upward throughout the season. The Rangers batted .225 from the beginning of the season through June. In July, their average has jumped up to .274, which s fourth in the MLB behind the New York Yankees, the Astros and the Red Sox.
Trade deadline needs
According to Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com, a first baseman, a designated hitter, and a seasoned closer are the biggest holes the Rangers could fill ahead of the deadline.
Joc Pederson is sidelined with a hand injury after being hit by a pitch in May. After originally being projected to return before the All-Star Break, the Rangers announced his recovery timeline would be pushed back. Pederson batted .131 in 46 games.
Jake Burger, an off-season acquisition, is also sidelined with a left quadriceps strain. Burger batted .228 in 75 games.
Both have played first base or have been a DH for the Rangers in 2025, and utility player Josh Smith has also filled in at first throughout the 2025 season.
On Thursday, the Rangers added first baseman Rowdy Tellez to their roster. Signed after the Mariners released him earlier this season, Tellez takes Burger’s roster spot.
The Rangers, despite their strong pitching staff, are fourth in the MLB in blown saves. A potential target for the Rangers ahead of the deadline to bolster the bullpen could be Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins.
The right-hander has a 2.06 ERA in 40 appearances, with nine earned runs, 17 walks and 30 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.
Who could go?
The Rangers could also look to trade some of their relievers who will be free agents following the end of the season. Hoby Milner, Luke Jackson, Shawn Armstrong and Chris Martin could all be pieces in a potential trade.
One position player who could be traded at the deadline is outfielder Adolis García. García, who despite being a part of the 2023 championship core, has struggled offensively this season. He is batting .234 with 13 home runs, 56 RBIs and 92 strikeouts in 92 games.
After the weekend series against the Tigers, the Rangers will host the A’s and Braves for three-game series before hitting the road to Anaheim and Seattle to face the Angels and Mariners. The Rangers will be in Seattle on July 31, playing the Mariners that night, just hours after the 5 p.m.. trade deadline.
This story was originally published July 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM.
