A sudden skid and rotation woes have forced Chris Young’s hand, pivoting the Texas Rangers toward Alex Call to bolster the lineup.
The Texas Rangers led the American League West when they completed a trade with the Los Angeles Angels for reliever Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O’Hoppe.
Only a few days later, the picture looks much different.
Entering Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros, Texas trails them by 1.5 games while carrying a four-game losing streak.
The sudden slide has increased the urgency surrounding the Rangers as Monday's MLB Trade Deadline approaches.
Just days earlier, Texas had taken three of four games from the Seattle Mariners, a series that appeared to convince president of baseball operations Chris Young to make at least one deadline addition.
Since then, however, the starting rotation has struggled at the worst possible time.
Two games to forget
Nathan Eovaldi turned in one of his toughest outings of the season Friday, lasting only five innings while allowing six runs on 10 hits (two home runs) with five strikeouts and a walk. Houston built a 6-0 lead before Eovaldi exited, and by the end of the game the Astros had moved into first place in the division by half a game after winning 11-2.
Jacob deGrom was unable to stop the skid Saturday.
The Rangers needed their ace to halt the losing streak, but deGrom lasted just 3.1 innings after giving up five runs on seven hits while walking five and striking out three.
He departed trailing 4-3, and reliever Cole Winn later allowed one of deGrom’s inherited runners to score on a wild pitch. Texas ultimately fell 5-4.
Another move on the way?
Despite already strengthening the roster, the Rangers could still benefit from another addition before the deadline.
According to Katie Woo from The Athletic, Texas has identified a right-handed hitter capable of playing multiple positions as another priority and has checked in on Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Call.
Woo reported that, according to a league source, the Rangers view Call as a fit. She also noted that the Philadelphia Phillies have expressed interest and were heavily involved in pursuing Call before last year’s trade deadline. Back then the Dodgers ultimately acquired him from the Washington Nationals.
“The Texas Rangers, who acquired high-leverage right-handed reliever Chase Silseth from the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, see Call as a fit, per a league source. The Philadelphia Phillies have also checked in and had heavy interest in Call last deadline before the Dodgers landed him.” Woo wrote.
Call checks several boxes Texas values.
The 31-year-old right-handed hitter would cost only the remainder of his $1.6 million salary this season.
He also remains under team control through 2030 because he still has three years of arbitration eligibility remaining, a factor that could increase the Dodgers’ asking price.
While Call has hit only one home run with 16 RBIs this season, his value extends beyond power production.
He owns a .244/.352/.311 slash line in 61 games, and his .352 OBP exceeds his .343 career mark.
Call’s upside
Call has earned a reputation as a fundamentally sound player who consistently contributes in ways that are not always reflected in traditional statistics.
He works quality at-bats, demonstrates strong strike-zone awareness, and gives managers flexibility by filling multiple defensive roles.
His professionalism and preparation have also made him a dependable depth option throughout his MLB career. Players with that profile often become valuable additions for contenders because they adapt quickly to changing roles without disrupting clubhouse chemistry.
For a Rangers team searching for lineup flexibility and reliable on-base production, Call offers a skill set that could strengthen the roster well beyond the remainder of this season.
