The reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers aren't having the season they expected. They're in third place in the American League West, seven games out of a wild card spot and have a slew of expensive talent on their roster.
If it can't climb up the standings in time, Texas may have a fire sale before this season's trade deadline. According to MLB insider and USA Today reporter Jim Bowden, rival general managers believe the Rangers will place many of their pitchers on the trade block.
The Boston Red Sox are weeks away from their first trade deadline with a new chief baseball officer at the helm. After years of unimpressive deadline performances, Craig Breslow hopes to make a good impression on Red Sox Nation.
It's been reported that Breslow hopes to add a starting pitcher before the trade deadline, and the Rangers could be great trade partners. Here are some of the options Boston could pursue with Texas.
3 impact trades the Red Sox could make with Rangers ahead of deadline
Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Eovaldi was a fan favorite when he played with the Red Sox from 2018-2022, and Red Sox Nation would love a return for the veteran right-hander. His years of experience, including postseason appearances, would serve Boston's young rotation well. He could quickly take on a leadership role as the most senior member of the rotation.
Eovaldi has pitched to a 3.10 ERA over 87.0 innings with the Rangers. He has a vesting option for 2025 on his contract, which goes into effect if he pitches 156 innings this season, which is unlikely given the number he's posted so far. But if he lands with the Red Sox, who have been desperately trying to stretch their starters' innings this year, they may be able to swing it.
Eovaldi's age raises questions about his durability late in the season, but his skill and experience would be worth a shot for the Red Sox to pursue.
Michael Lorenzen
Michael Lorenzen has been popular in trade rumors ahead of this season's July 30 deadline. The righty has starter and reliever experience over his 10 years of MLB service time, and his flexibility would suit Boston's pitching staff well.
Lorenzen has logged a 3.52 ERA through 92 innings with the Rangers. He doesn't strike out many batters compared to the amount he walks, so his pitching style doesn't suit the Red Sox's questionable infield defense the way Eovald's would, but Lorenzen brings years of MLB experience to the table that Boston's other hurlers lack.
Lorenzen has seven pitches in his arsenal, and despite relying on his four-seamer the most, he could be a good candidate for Andrew Bailey's offspeed-heavy approach. Lorenzen earned an All-Star nod for the first time last year and pitched the most innings he's ever thrown in a single season. He's set to be a free agent at the end of the 2024 campaign, so the Red Sox may be able to bring Lorenzen in for a good price.
Andrew Heaney
Andrew Heaney would be another solid veteran option for Boston. He's a lefty, which would bring some much-needed diversity to the Sox's exclusively right-handed starting rotation.
The southpaw has posted a 3.80 ERA through 90 innings with Texas this season. Heaney has better than league average chase, walk and strikeout rates, which make him a better potential fit for Boston's defense than Lorenzen would be. He also has a low ground ball rate, so the Sox's stellar outfield would likely get most of the work with Heaney on the mound.
Adding a pitcher with years of experience and knowledge will be key for Boston's young staff. There are veterans in the bullpen, but experienced starters could help the Red Sox learn on the fly during a potential postseason push.