Fansided

Power Ranking each MLB team in aftermath of Trade Deadline

By Kyle Franzoni

Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; (Editors note: Caption correction) Kansas City Royals pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; (Editors note: Caption correction) Kansas City Royals pitcher Johnny Cueto (47) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) waves to the crowd after leaving the game during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) waves to the crowd after leaving the game during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

14: Texas Rangers

ACQUIRED: LHP Cole Hamels (from Phillies), LHP Jake Diekman (from Phillies), RHP Sam Dyson (from Marlins)

TRADED: LHP Matt Harrison (to Phillies), RHP Jake Thompson (to Phillies), OF Nick Williams (to Phillies), C Jorge Alfaro (to Phillies), RHP Jerad Eickhoff (to Phillies), RHP Alec Asher (to Phillies), C Tomas Telis (to Marlins), LHP Cody Ege (to Marlins)

With the Angels and Astros engaged in a heated battle for the division title in the AL West, part of me wondered aloud why the Texas Rangers were seen as a buyer heading into the deadline. However after seeing their haul, the big picture is much clearer.

Texas, which heading into play on 8/3 stands just three games back in the Wild Card race, has the team to make some noise down the stretch. They simply needed some pitching to do it. They landed that in spades by nabbing not only ace Cole Hamels from the Phillies, but also two solid relievers in Jake Diekman and Sam Dyson. These are the type of supplemental moves that you look for from a contender.

The good news for Rangers fans is that these moves were two-fold. Texas didn’t make them for a shot at the title in 2015, but as a building project for 2016 when they will also add back Yu Darvish (mid-season), Derek Holland, and more. Hamels becomes the missing piece of the pitching puzzle for Texas and Dyson could potentially be a closer down the road. This is a definite win-win for Texas, even with all the talent they gave up.

Next: 13: New York Mets

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