Why Rangers’ Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi could be ‘popular’ trade targets originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Texas Rangers are still in the mix for a postseason spot, as they’re only 1.5 games out of a Wild Card spot, and just 2.0 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the AL West lead.
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So, this Rangers team acting as sellers at the MLB trade deadline would be a bit surprising. But, MLB.com’s Thomas Harrigan believes the Rangers could sell this summer.
Specifically, Harrigan pointed to how Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi could be very popular trade targets this summer. While it might seem odd, it makes some sense why the Rangers’ starters might be hot topics by the deadline.
“The Rangers might have to eat some money, given what deGrom and Eovaldi are still owed, but both pitchers could be popular trade targets for playoff contenders,” Harrigan writes.
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Looking around the Major Leagues, a lot of the playoff contenders need more starting pitching help. The Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Athletics need rotation help.
But when it comes to deGrom and Eovaldi, the possibility for a trade isn’t likely to be high this summer at all. Beyond the fact that the Rangers are still a postseason contender, they might not even keep either starter this summer if they sell.
Eovaldi is under contract through the 2027 season on a three-year, $75 million contract. To trade him, the Rangers would need to eat some of his contract to facilitate a deal to get a good return that makes a trade worthwhile.
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The same is true for deGrom, who is under control through the 2027 season on a five-year, $185 million deal. While he might be a hot topic if the Rangers are sellers, a trade will be complicated.
However, if the Rangers do sell, parting with both starters this year, in what’s set to be a seller’s market, especially when it comes to controllable starters like deGrom and Eovaldi, trading both would make some sense.
Harrigan believes, “The team needs to consider a shake-up,” and trading these two aces would certainly shake the roster up in a big way. It would be a bold move, but for the future of the team, it might be a smart decision.
