Originally, I wanted to write this going into the month of June. Even after an unacceptable nine-game road trip, there was something for the Rangers to play for. Back in front of the home fans for a four-game set with the Houston Astros before hosting the struggling Kansas City Royals. If nothing else, opportunities against fellow teams with losing records.
Then, rock bottom happened. Astros pitching put together what’s maybe been brewing for a couple weeks now – a no-hitter.
Something has to change. Chris Young cannot afford to sit around and let this madness continue. Some might argue Young should not be the one who gets to make those changes. For the time being, he has the job, and it’s tough seeing a world where an in-season firing happens. Either way, whatever Young decides to do is going to alter the course of the franchise.
To me, there are two options where you can logically understand what Young is trying to do.
Let’s start with the not-so-fun one – becoming a seller at the deadline. This roster has pieces other teams are going to desire. You can look as high as somebody like Jacob deGrom or a situation like Joc Pederson, who is on an expiring contract. Offloading deGrom, theoretically, brings some exciting young players into the organization. For the people who complain about the farm system and its rankings across baseball, this is likely what they want.
Names other than deGrom and Pederson, who have value, that you’d imagine the Rangers would take calls on. Nathan Eovaldi. Corey Seager. Every non-controllable relief pitcher. Hell, maybe somebody wants to take on the Brandon Nimmo contract. Is Wyatt Langford already a ‘change of scenery’ candidate at 24 years old?
Whether or not those guys are attainable for the other 29 teams, we would have to wait and see. Personally, it’s tough to see a world where Eovaldi and Seager are getting shipped out of here, no matter how bad this gets.
The problem with that path is I don’t think Young is going to take it. Young’s mindset since taking over in Texas has been to win. He wants to win at all costs. Every single move made, in-season and offseason, has been with the mindset of this team going to the playoffs. And as horrific as this run has been, reality is, the Rangers wake up on Tuesday morning just 2.5 games out of first place in the AL West.
If Young wants to triple down on this specific roster, a move needs to be made sooner rather than later. Like, within the next couple of weeks. Maybe days. Remember when he traded for Aroldis Chapman on June 30 in ’23 to attempt to fix a bad bullpen well ahead of the deadline? Do something similar, a month earlier, and please make it a bat.
Realistically, there are three positions the Rangers need to upgrade if Young wants to attempt to turn this around. First base might be the most glaring one. Second base and outfield follow. Those are positions where some offensive life is desperately needed.
Jake Burger? Sorry, man. I’ve rooted for you but it’s just not working. The constant chase is grinding-of-the-teeth annoying, and there’s no consistency. Seems like there’s one Minor League option left for him. Maybe they can have him be the DH vs. left-handers instead of Andrew McCutchen.
Past that, choosing a consistent position for Ezequiel Duran is the next move. If you want him at second base, fine. Go get an outfielder, who probably needs to replace Evan Carter at this point. Vice versa. Stick Duran in left field, find a second baseman worthy of producing offensively.
The Rangers need a bat (or two). Go get the bat (or two). Do it now. Because…
Here is the third path Young can take, and it would make zero sense. Letting this all play out for another two months and becoming buyers at the deadline. With the intent of being incredibly hyperbolic, choosing this strategy would be a full-blown disaster. We’ve watched this team for the better part of two years. Everyone knows what the results are going to be.
Acting as if business is usual for the time being, only to ship away assets for help on Aug. 3 instead of June 3 would be a fireable offence.
What’s transpired the last 10 days means the waiting around needs to be over. A direction needs to be decided on. The franchise will be significantly altered, no matter what. Young gets the luxury of choosing which road to go down.
But this cannot continue on as is.