Rangers linked to Phillies, Red Sox closers in early MLB trade deadline prediction
Texas may focus on making an upgrade.
Rangers linked to Phillies, Red Sox closers in early MLB trade deadline prediction originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Texas Rangers are in the middle of the pack in the American League.
To be considered serious postseason contenders, though, it may be in the AL West club's best interest to acquire a bona fide closer. "Yet, the Rangers are presently hoping for the best with a closer-by-committee approach in which Jakob Junis and Tyler Alexander have gotten the most save chances to date—two pitchers who entered this season with a combined three saves in their 1,393. 2 career innings pitched," Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote Thursday.
Junis and Alexander are solid options, but the front office could prefer a more experienced arm in save situations. Miller lists Aroldis Chapman and Jhoan Duran as two potential options. The Rangers acquired Chapman at the deadline in 2023, and he played a key role in the run to the franchise's first World Series title.
MORE: This might be the weirdest way to get an inside-the-park HR "If the Phillies and Red Sox continue to flounder, maybe Jhoan Duran or Aroldis Chapman will be auctioned off to the highest bidder," Miller added. "The former has one year of arbitration eligibility remaining, while the latter is slated for $13M in 2027 if he logs at least 40 innings pitched in 2026. Either one is more than good enough to be the primary closer for a World Series hopeful.