The Texas Rangers are looking to improve their bullpen by the August 1st MLB trade deadline. Will Texas target New York Yankees southpaw Andrew Miller?
According to Texas Rangers beat writer Jeff Wilson of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers are looking at improving their bullpen and have their eye on New York Yankees left-hander Andrew Miller.
#Rangers also looking at relievers, though less so than a starter. Yankees lefty Andrew Miller is on the radar.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilsonTXR) July 17, 2016
Through 92 regular season games, the Rangers hold a 4.5 game lead over their in-state rival in the Houston Astros for first-place in the American League West. Texas has a 3.5 game cushion over the second American League Wild Card spot and are only 0.5 games back of the Baltimore Orioles for the best record in the American League.
New York has a tough decision to make: do the Yankees label themselves as sellers at the MLB trade deadline or do they ride it out and see if they can’t fight for a Wild Card spot. New York is two games below .500 at 44-46 and in fourth place in the American League East. The Yankees are 9.5 games back of Baltimore in the East and 5.5 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the second American League Wild Card spot.
New York is in a rare situation where it might be in the Yankees’ best interest to sell high on key relief pitchers like Miller and closer Aroldis Chapman. It might be wise for the Yankees to get something in return during a mediocre season to hopefully bolster their farm system.
Miller has another two years on his deal with the Yankees, so Texas would have to offer something intriguing in a package to land Miller. He has made his first MLB All-Star Game in 2016 in his 11 years in the big leagues, boasting a 1.37 ERA and a 0.712 WHIP.
Texas has a great shot to win the American League pennant in 2016. Will Miller be the key piece in the Rangers’ bullpen to get Texas to its third World Series and earn its first Commissioner’s Trophy?
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