3 Trade Targets the Rangers Must Pursue at the Deadline
By Tyler Maher
The Rangers have been leading the AL West for most of the season, but the Houston Astros are gaining on them. If Texas doesn't make some notable moves before the Aug. 1 trade deadline, the franchise could miss out on a golden opportunity to win its first division title since 2016.
Fortunately for the Rangers, their shopping list is pretty small. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, but like most teams they could use additional depth in the starting rotation and bullpen. They also don't need to mortgage their future for Shohei Ohtani, as tempting as that may be.
With that in mind, here are three players Texas should target at the trade deadline.
3 Rangers Trade Targets
1. Jordan Montgomery, SP, St. Louis Cardinals
Aside from Jacob deGrom, the Rangers' rotation has held up remarkably well. Texas shouldn't necessarily expect that to continue, however, as 80 percent of the starting rotation is on the wrong side of 30.
Given that, the Rangers would be wise to pick up another starter for the stretch run. One who makes sense is Jordan Montgomery of the Cardinals.
Montgomery is 30, but that makes him young by Texas' standards. He's also durable, ranking tied for 10th in games started (82) since the beginning of 2021.
The veteran southpaw is currently on a one-year, $10 million deal, which makes him the ideal rental. He wouldn't cost a ton of prospect capital to acquire and his presence would enable Bruce Bochy to move either Martin Perez or Andrew Heaney -- both of whom are struggling -- to the bullpen.
Montgomery has playoff experience, too, which could come in handy if the Rangers make it to October.