Swept by Astros, Texas Rangers look less like buyers at trade deadline

The Texas Rangers have been defeated by the Astros in a series, leaving the team looking less like a potential buyer at the trade deadline. After losing three games in a row to the Astros, the Rangers are currently 55-57, putting them in a difficult position. The team's president of baseball operations, Chris Young, has already made a trade in the past two seasons, but standing pat or trading away players might be the best option for the Rangers considering their lack of prospects and unwillingness to spend money like a team in a large market should.

Manager Skip Schumaker believes that the current lineup still has a chance to win the division, but the inconsistency of the top two starters and the issues with the bullpen, particularly in a crucial fourth inning, have made a strong case for the team to stay the course. The Rangers need more than just one arm to fix the bullpen, and they also need a right-handed outfielder after a series in which their defense was a significant issue.

President Young might consider trading players such as Joc Pederson, who leads the team in home runs, or even expiring contract players to alleviate some financial burdens. However, the Rangers are unlikely to trade high-profile players like Corey Seager, Jacob deGrom, or Nathan Eovaldi, who are under club control or have no-trade provisions.

As the Rangers prepare for a challenging road trip, Schumaker acknowledges that the team did not perform as expected, emphasizing the need for improvement.