Rangers urged to pounce on Twins All-Star starter before the deadline

The Texas Rangers' success largely came from their pitching staff last season. From the starting rotation to the relievers, the arms kept things close for the offense. 

They finished the season with a team ERA of 3.47, which was the lowest across MLB. The closest team to them was the Milwaukee Brewers, who finished with a 3.58 ERA. 

And while losing Tyler Mahle and Merrill Kelly in free agency, the club was quick to acquire a replacement. They went out and acquired MacKenzie Gore from the Washington Nationals. 

MORE: Rangers' youngster projected to lead the team once again in 2026

Rangers urged to pounce on Twins All-Star starter before the deadline

Texas has quite the rotation going into the new season. Jacob deGrom will lead the charge with Nathan Eovaldi working as the No. 2 and Gore as the No. 3. That will likely be followed up with Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker. 

However, there are some growing concerns with the future of this rotation. deGrom and Eovaldi are getting up there in age, and Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter suggests they acquire Minnesota Twins All-Star starter Joe Ryan. 

"The Rangers hung around last year largely because of their starting rotation, which led MLB with a 3.41 ERA. And by trading for MacKenzie Gore and lining him up behind Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, they basically doubled down. Well, why not triple down? Ryan is the best starter they can conceivably get at this point, and a trade for him would accomplish two things: Make the rotation even more elite, and provide a security blanket for the agin deGrom and Eovaldi."

Rocker would likely get the short end of the stick here if that came to fruition. However, he could slide over into a hybrid role, limiting the amount of innings he would need to throw, which could help him after coming off shoulder impingement last year and Tommy John surgery in 2023.

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