MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani trade buzz, Marcus Stroman surprise suitor, Rangers-White Sox blockbuster

MLB Rumors: Proposed Rangers trade would land Dylan Cease, more from White Sox

The Texas Rangers have already acquired one of the biggest trade targets for the 2023 season in the flip for reliever Aroldis Chapman. But they also might not be done making moves as they hope to retain their lead atop the NL West and move headstrong into the playoffs from the second half of the year.

Jamey Newberg of The Athletic (subscription required) noted on Monday that the Rangers aren’t done making moves. The focus is likely to remain on pitching, both continuing to upgrade the bullpen and potentially looking to provide more starter stability with Nathan Eovaldi, Jon Gray and Dane Dunning while Jacob deGrom is shelved for the season and Martin Perez has come crashing down.

There were five trades that Newberg proposed, but the most intriguing — and perhaps the most sensible, was a blockbuster with the White Sox that would land the Rangers 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up Dylan Cease in addition to two high-end relievers.

As Newberg noted, the Rangers getting Cease, Graveman and Kelly, three pieces who could help Texas compete for a World Series this year and who have club control, minus Kelly, beyond this season, would be worth giving up White — the organization’s top pitching prospect — in addition to other assets. Most importantly, those prospects would help replenish a barren cabinet for the White Sox farm system.

Will it happen? Even if Chicago goes as expected and sells at the deadline, it’s hard to see them moving Cease. At the same time, though, it might be in the best long-term interest of the franchise. Because of that, it’s an option that the Rangers would undoubtedly have to explore and give the White Sox a call about.