Rangers could surprisingly acquire Athletics All-Star slugger, per insider

Colin Keane

Rangers could surprisingly acquire Athletics All-Star slugger, per insider image

The Texas Rangers are still very much in the hunt for the playoffs, and they're looking to add offense before the deadline.

Texas entered Thursday at 50-52 on the season, but the Rangers are just three games back of the Houston Astros in the competitive American League West.

No one knows exactly what Texas' general manager Chris Young is going to do over the next five days. Some have speculated that the Rangers aren't buyers and that Young is going to trade one of the team's valuable starters.

If Texas does look to add, however, it would most likely be seeking a right-handed-hitting outfielder, as the Rangers have struggled this year against lefty hurlers.

On Thursday, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand suggested that Texas go after Brent Rooker of the Oakland Athletics before July 30.

"Texas has been inconsistent against left-handed pitching this season, though the potential return of Josh Jung could help that problem," Feinsand said. "Adding a right-handed bat in the outfield (or at DH) – Oakland’s Brent Rooker, perhaps? – would benefit the Rangers as they try to climb back into the postseason race."

Young might wait until the eleventh hour to decide on whether to add or subtract, but he must be monitoring Rooker as a potential fit. It would be a shame if the Rangers threw in the towel on the season early after winning it all last November.

More MLB: Rangers veteran hurler surprisingly available; Braves listed as destination

 

Colin Keane

Colin Keane Photo

Colin Keane is a contributing journalist for The Sporting News. Born in Illinois, Colin grew up in Massachusetts as the third of four brothers. For his high school education, Colin attended St. Mark's School (Southborough, MA), where he played basketball and soccer and served as student body president. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Villanova University. Colin currently resides in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.