Tuesday newsletter time: No trades by Rangers on Deadline Eve, but some post-trade news
(AP photo/Frank Franklin II)
The Rangers hadn’t made a trade as of bedtime Monday, which rated as a bit of a surprise considering the heavy lifting they did over the weekend and with other deals being made across the game with the trade deadline fast approaching.
There was some Rangers trade-related news, however. Right-hander Max Scherzer, as expected, will make his Rangers debut Thursday in the series finale against the White Sox. It’s a day game, so plan accordingly.
He will be wearing No. 31, which was voluntarily surrendered by pitching coach Mike Maddux. The other newcomers, left-hander Jordan Montgomery and right-hander Chris Stratton, will wear No. 52 and No. 35.
The Rangers have not announced when Montgomery will make his debut. They also haven’t announced a starter for Wednesday. Andrew Heaney is scheduled for tonight in the opener of the three-game series. Jon Gray and Dane Dunning are also possibilities.
All three newcomers will be introduced this afternoon. I’m sure they can’t wait. Rangers Today will have video on our YouTube channel, to which you should subscribe if you haven’t already.
General manager Chris Young could follow after the 5 p.m. trade deadline, and he might have some news.
Missing pieces?
The Rockies, Tigers and Nationals have relief pitching. The Pirates and Guardians have two front-line closers. The Royals have relief pitching and catcher Salvador Perez, who some Rangers fans have brought up as a possibility in light of the possibility that Jonah Heim is done for the season.
We’ve all learned by now to not put anything past Young.
The Rangers have acquired three big-league pieces for John King and three prospects — Luisangel Acuna, Thomas Saggese and TK Roby — and have retained the ability to acquire whoever they want. Seriously.
Any additions would need spots on the 40-man roster, and the Rangers are mindful of the luxury-tax threshold. They might be weary of taking on a big contract, like Perez has.
Check back with Rangers Today this afternoon to find out what went down before the deadline.
Half-full
The Rangers will take the field tonight with their lead in the American League West at only a half-game. They have had solo possession of first place for 87 consecutive days.
The Astros rallied Monday to beat the Guardians and are playing well as they attempt to defend their World Series title.
No one said that making the postseason was going to be easy, even though the Rangers were making it look easy is May and June. Their biggest lead this season has been 6 1/2 games.
Should the Rangers slip out of first place, they would be second in the wild-card standings and the No. 5 seed in the playoffs.
Doggy video!
The Adolis Garcia of dogs. Enjoy.
bro carries a 30-lb weight wherever he goes pic.twitter.com/5gTmtfl2mk
— crazy animal clips (@crazyanimalclip) July 30, 2023
Jeff Wilson, jeff@rangerstoday.com
