Monday newsletter time: Two starters, one reliever and still time for Rangers to add

Jeff Wilson July 31, 2023

(AP photo/David Zalubowski)

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Max Scherzer is tentatively scheduled to make his Rangers debut Thursday.

Jordan Montgomery could go Wednesday or Friday.

They both pitched three days ago for their former teams.

The Rangers added them both in rough a 24-hour span, though there was only about five hours between the official announcements of the trades with the Mets (Scherzer) and the Cardinals (Montgomery and Chris Stratton).

The trade deadline arrives at 5 p.m. Tuesday. The Rangers could still add pieces to finish off their roster for a playoff push.

They lead the American League West by one game over the Astros.

Another reliever could be added. The more the merrier. The Rangers could still consider a catcher with Jonah Heim potentially out for the rest of the season. If he isn’t out, he’s definitely not going to be at full strength.

In terms of inventory to trade, the Rangers still have plenty. They have shipped out only one top-10 prospect, shortstop Luisangel Acuna, and two top-30s in infielder Thomas Saggese and right-hander TK Roby.

General manager Chris Young isn’t going to stop looking, nor should he. The Rangers added several player before the 2010 deadline — catcher Bengie Molina being the first, followed by left-hander Cliff Lee, right-hander Mark Lowe and the less memorable additions of Cristian Guzman and Jorge Cantu.

Jeff Francouer was added ahead of the now-defunct Aug. 31 waiver deadline.

Guzman was a bust, but the others all did something good at some point.

Young might not bat 1.000 at the deadline and not trade will guarantee the postseason, but he needs to keep going.

Bad weekend

The list of things that would cause a bad weekend in San Diego is short: Illness/medical emergency, stolen car, lost phone, lost wallet and stepping on gum.

Also, getting swept in three games by the Padres.

The Rangers scored four runs in the three losses and gave up 16.

Compounding matters is that Heim (wrist) and right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (forearm) landed on the injured list, though they came to town injured. Eovaldi said he will be back as soon as he’s eligible, but Heim is out at least a month and then will play only if he can stomach the pain.

The Rangers are off today before opening a three-game series Tuesday against the White Sox, who have traded away all nearly all of their pitchers who were headed to free agency. They still have talented players, but the Rangers should have a chance to get going again.

Wash honored

Someone else was giving Braves hitters high-fives Friday and Saturday as they rounded third base after yet another homer. Their usual third-base coach, former Rangers manager Ron Washington, was being inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

Washington was born and raised in New Orleans, attended McDonogh High School and then went to the Royals Baseball Academy in 1971. He made his MLB debut in 1977 with the Dodgers and spent the next three seasons at Triple A before landing with the Twins in 1981.

He came to fame as Rangers manager from 2007-2014, taking them to their only two appearances in the World Series. He finally won one in 2021 as the Braves beat the Astros.

Up next, or at least it should be: the Rangers Hall of Fame

ICYMI …

Did anything happen over the weekend? Yes. What’s going to happen the next two days? Stick around to find out. A subscription to Rangers Today for full access costs $5.99 a month, $35 for six months or $60 for a year (that’s 17 cents a day). Get started here so you don’t miss anything over these final two months of the season and then into October. Here’s our latest content, in case you missed it.

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