Time for Texas Rangers to Trade for Pitching?

One of the knee-jerk reactions to the Texas Rangers losing Jacob deGrom to the injured list is looking to the trade market.

Maybe the Rangers could use bullpen help, too.

Not that the American League West-leading Rangers (18-12) need to replace deGrom or their closer with an outside arm at this point. Texas is well-positioned to absorb the loss of its ace internally, with the help of the upcoming schedule.

The combination of off days and a pair of stretched out relievers – Dane Dunning and Cole Ragans – give the Rangers options going forward.

But if deGrom’s absence goes beyond the 15-day injured list – he’s eligible to return May 14 – would the Rangers consider foreign reinforcements? Texas manager Bruce Bochy also just tabbed Will Smith as the primary closer over the faltering José Leclerc.

General manager Chris Young was asked about keeping an eye on the market recently on 105.3 The Fan radio.

“So you have constant dialogue with teams even in periods where you can’t trade, even in the beginning of the offseason where you can’t make trades yet before the market opens,” Young told the GBag Nation show. “You still have conversations just to kind of understand what the needs are. You’re constantly in tune in terms of that. But specific to where we are right now, I think most of the trade market is relatively slow.”

Young added that with it still being so early in the season, teams are still in the information-gathering mode. Figuring out needs and holes in their rosters is an ongoing process.

“As you get closer to the deadline, obviously, activity picks up because teams have better clarity as to what the needs are and whether or not they’re competing,” Young said. “That said, I think you know, teams are always looking for ways to upgrade as are we and I think it’s our responsibility to our fans to always look to improve our club if we have needs.”