The Texas Rangers seek relief for a thin bullpen. Drew Anderson offers the perfect blend of adaptability and swing-and-miss stuff.
The Texas Rangers have several areas they could address before the MLB Trade Deadline, but one need continues to stand out even after taking three of four games from the Seattle Mariners recently.
It is the bullpen.
Texas needs additional high-leverage arms capable of working alongside Jacob Latz and Jakob Junis. The question is how president of baseball operations Chris Young can acquire that help while operating within the Rangers’ preferred financial limits.
Latz carries a 1.80 ERA, 0.66 WHIP, and 21 saves in 50 innings across 40 appearances (one start). Junis has posted a 2.70 ERA. 1.08 WHIP, five saves, and 14 holds in 40 innings over 36 appearances (one start).
The Rangers still need more behind them.
Buster Olney from ESPN reported Sunday that Texas does not want to take on significant salary at the deadline despite sitting nearly $40 million below the first tier of the competitive balance tax.
“The Rangers are not expected to take on much payroll with their deadline acquisitions -- if any -- which could limit the range of options for them, unless their trade partners can absorb some of the salary costs of players going to Texas,” Olney wrote.
That means Young may have to search for bargains, something he has done successfully before.
The market could complicate that approach. Many teams have yet to determine their deadline direction, while the possibility of a lockout after the season has also made teams reluctant to assume additional payroll.
The Detroit Tigers are among the teams that must determine their direction. They could wait until the final day because they would prefer not to trade Tarik Skubal.
Should Rangers trade for Drew Anderson?
Texas cannot realistically afford the type of package required for Skubal, but another Tigers pitcher could make considerably more sense.
Drew Anderson represents an intriguing possibility.
Anderson spent the 2022 through 2025 seasons in the KBO before returning stateside. This season, he has a 4.13 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, two saves and six holds in 61 innings across 38 appearances (two starts). More importantly, he has struck out 74 hitters, a skill that could translate particularly well at Globe Life Field.
There are financial considerations.
Anderson is 32 years old and has a team option for 2027. Texas would also be responsible for the remaining portion of his $7 million contract, raising the question of whether even that commitment would exceed what the Rangers are comfortable adding.
Still, Anderson offers several qualities that could appeal to a contender searching for bullpen depth.
Anderson’s value
His willingness to continue his career overseas demonstrates adaptability and persistence. Pitching successfully in another country requires adjusting to different hitters, routines, environments, and styles of play before attempting another transition back to MLB.
That experience can help a reliever handle the unpredictability of high-pressure situations. Anderson has also shown the ability to miss bats, an especially valuable quality when entering games with runners aboard and limited margin for error.
His age also brings experience to a bullpen that would be asking him to contribute immediately rather than develop gradually.
For Texas, the attraction would be straightforward. Anderson could provide another experienced arm behind Latz and Junis. And without requiring the type of prospect package associated with the biggest names on the market.
Join the Community
Don’t miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It’s completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
