Rangers Go All-In: Surprise Swing to Buyers Shakes Up AL Playoff Race!

The Texas Rangers are making a significant shift in approach as the MLB trade deadline nears, transitioning from potential sellers to aggressive buyers in a bid to secure a postseason berth in the American League.

After hovering around the .500 mark and weighing the possibility of moving key players, the Rangers have heated up in July, winning 13 of their last 20 games to climb above .500. That surge has brought them within five games of the Houston Astros in the AL West and just one game back of the Seattle Mariners for the final AL wild card spot.

This upward momentum has seemingly influenced General Manager Chris Young and the front office to pivot toward bolstering the roster rather than offloading talent.

According to MLB insider Buster Olney, rival executives believe Texas is “aggressively seeking bullpen upgrades” ahead of Thursday’s deadline. Olney also noted that among MLB execs, Young is considered one of the most competitive, further reinforcing expectations that the Rangers will be buyers.

The urgency to improve the bullpen follows the recent release of Luke Jackson, who had handled many of the team’s closing duties this season, leaving a notable hole in late-game pitching.

Texas remains anchored by a stellar starting rotation led by Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi, one of the strongest in the league. Meanwhile, the offense has begun to show signs of life after a sluggish start, raising hopes that bullpen reinforcements could be the final piece needed to secure a playoff spot.

Young had previously said the team’s direction at the deadline would be shaped by their performance leading up to it — and with the Rangers gaining ground in the standings, a major acquisition now seems increasingly likely.