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MLB Rumors: White Sox fire sale on hold, Braves problem fixed, deGrom replacements

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Lucas Giolito #27 of the Chicago White Sox pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 06, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 06: Lucas Giolito #27 of the Chicago White Sox pitches during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 06, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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MLB Rumors, Jacob deGrom replacements
Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Cheap Jacob deGrom replacements via trade

In the wake of the Jacob deGrom news that the high-priced offseason signing for the Texas Rangers is going to miss at least the next 12 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery, the first reaction was obviously just general sadness. It, simply, sucks to see. But the next reaction was how the Rangers will replace him.

With the MLB Trade Deadline still just under two months away, there are a multitude of possibilities for the Rangers to explore as they look to bolster the rotation of the best team in the AL West in order to hold that position.

Having said that, they don’t need to go star hunting. Yes, guys like Marcus Stroman, Aaron Nola, Dylan Cease and several others could possibly hit the trade block ahead of the deadline, but that’s not a role Texas needs to fill. Even if deGrom was supposed to be the club’s ace, he hasn’t been needed with Nathan Eovaldi taking up that mantle and followed strongly behind by Jon Gray and Martin Perez.

Instead, the Rangers would have a better time looking at possible trades for starting pitchers who could be had for a relatively cheap cost. ESPN insider Jeff Passan recently examined the trade landscape in an early preview for the deadline (subscription required) and, reading some of the tea leaves, there are a few names that stick out for the Rangers.

From Passan’s reporting, it seems as if the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers might be the best places to look. Specifically, the Rangers could be interested in the likes of Drew Smyly or Kyle Hendricks in Chicago, both nearing the ends of their deals as veterans, as budget options or in someone like Michael Lorenzen in Detroit, who is at the end of a one-year deal too.

All of those options based on their situations contractually and talent level could be traded at a much lower cost than any of the name-brand options, but could serve the ultimate purpose of allowing the Rangers to round out the rotation with a quality arm in the wake of deGrom’s injury.

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