At 42-42, the Texas Rangers remain firmly in the American League postseason race, leading the Seattle Mariners by half a game in the American League West.

With Texas still in contention, it would be somewhat surprising to see the team act as a seller ahead of the MLB trade deadline. However, Thomas Harrigan from MLB.com believes that possibility should not be dismissed.

Harrigan specifically identified Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi as two starting pitchers who could generate significant interest if the Rangers decide to move veterans before the deadline.

While that may seem unusual considering Texas remains in the postseason picture, there are reasons why both starters could become attractive trade options for contenders looking to strengthen their rotations.

According to Harrigan, although the Rangers might have to absorb part of the remaining money owed to deGrom and Eovaldi, both pitchers could become popular targets for teams with postseason aspirations.

“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 wrote.

There is certainly no shortage of teams searching for additional starting pitching. Teams such as the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Athletics could all benefit from adding proven arms before the trade deadline.

Even so, a trade involving deGrom appears far from likely. Beyond the fact that Texas is still competing for a postseason berth, the veteran right-hander remains under team control through the 2027 season as part of a five-year, $185 million contract.

That long-term commitment would make negotiations considerably more complicated than a standard deadline deal.

For the Rangers to receive a worthwhile return, they would almost certainly need to absorb a portion of the remaining financial commitment attached to deGrom’s contract. Doing so would increase the number of interested teams while helping Texas maximize the value of any potential package.

Still, if the Rangers ultimately decide to sell, moving deGrom during what is expected to be a seller’s market, particularly for controllable starting pitchers, could become a logical option.

Including both deGrom and Eovaldi in trade discussions would represent a significant organizational shift and could accelerate a roster reset while bringing back valuable long-term assets.

Harrigan believes the Rangers should consider a shake-up, and trading deGrom would unquestionably qualify as one of the biggest moves of the deadline.

While such a decision would be difficult for a team with postseason hopes, it could prove beneficial if the front office believes strengthening the future outweighs making one more postseason push.

DeGrom is 6-5 with a 3.55 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 88.2 innings over 16 starts this season, with 106 strikeouts against 20 walks.

Beyond his accomplishments, deGrom has earned widespread respect because of the qualities he brings to a clubhouse every day.

He is known for his professionalism, meticulous preparation, and relentless commitment to improving his craft. His calm demeanor allows him to remain composed under pressure, while his competitive drive pushes him to maintain high standards regardless of the situation.

Younger teammates often benefit from his experience and willingness to lead by example rather than through words alone.

He has also demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career, repeatedly working through adversity with determination and discipline. Those characteristics make him valuable well beyond his performance on the field.

Any organization acquiring him would be adding an experienced veteran whose leadership, work ethic, and commitment to excellence can positively influence an entire pitching staff and clubhouse culture for years to come.

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