Fansided

MLB Rumors: Braves bold strategy, Cardinals-Red Sox blockbuster, Rangers-Astros arms race

By Cody Williams

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 27: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Truist Park on June 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 27: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves looks on during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Truist Park on June 27, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
MLB Rumors, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 20: Nathan Eovaldi #17 of the Texas Rangers delivers a pitch during the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 20, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

MLB Rumors: Rangers, Astros loaded for trade arms race to take the AL West

Coming into the All-Star break, it at least appears that it’s going to be a two-team race to take the AL West with the Texas Rangers holding a two-game lead over the Houston Astros.

Despite the talent on both teams, it’s actually a bit surprising that both clubs were able to hit the 50-win mark before the break. For the Rangers, their big move in the offseason was to sign Jacob deGrom, who made enough starts to comfortable count on your fingers before hitting the IL and undergoing Tommy John. And yet, they’ve still risen to the top of the division.

In the case of the Astros, they too have been ravaged by the injury bug. Lance McCullers Jr. hasn’t and won’t pitch this season, Luis Garcia has undergone Tommy John surgery and is done for the year, and Jose Urquidy has missed most of the season as well.

So what does this all add up to? As Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) noted, both the Rangers and Astros are going to be in the pitching market. The Rangers could use another starter and more bullpen help, even after already landing Aroldis Chapman, while the Astros are going to be looking desperately for a starter.

By my estimation, both clubs are going to make moves to address those pitching needs. But the arms race, so-to-speak, in the AL West at the trade deadline will result in us finding out the answer to which team made the better trade for pitching at the deadline. That could ultimately be the determining factor in the division, which adds a multitude of intrigue about what either team is going to do.

Home/MLB Rumors