For a brief period on Wednesday afternoon, Rangers supporters entertained a glimmer of optimism regarding the possibility of the team’s front office taking action to address the current state of disarray in the Texas rotation. This fleeting moment provided a welcome distraction from concerns about Jordan Montgomery and speculation about whether Chris Young could work his magic to secure Montgomery’s signing before the end of spring training.
Regrettably, the hopes that had been buoyed on Wednesday were dashed around 6 PM that evening with the news of a trade between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox. This deal involved the White Sox sending their ace, Dylan Cease, to San Diego ahead of the season.
BREAKING: The San Diego Padres are finalizing a trade to acquire right-hander Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 13, 2024
The news dealt a devastating blow to Rangers fans, who have endured a challenging offseason from their reigning champions thus far. With each passing day, the possibility of a reunion with Montgomery dwindles as spring training approaches its conclusion, leaving fans increasingly disheartened.
However, there is a silver lining amidst the disappointment. With two weeks remaining until Opening Day, the Rangers still have time to explore other options in the pitching market. There are several available pitchers they could pursue in an effort to bolster their roster and reignite hope for the upcoming season.
3 starting pitchers Rangers could acquire before Opening Day 2024
Kyle Hendricks
The Rangers front office might consider pursuing veteran pitcher Kyle Hendricks via trade. Hendricks is entering the final season of his contract with the Cubs, and they could be open to sending him to Arlington as a rental if the terms are favorable.
Despite a somewhat average season with the Cubs, where he posted a 6-8 record and a 3.74 ERA, Hendricks could still offer valuable contributions to the Rangers’ rotation. Given the current limitations of the rotation until the return of deGrom and Scherzer around midseason, Hendricks’ experience and stability could be particularly beneficial.
While it’s possible that the best days of Hendricks’ career are behind him, he could still serve as a reliable addition to the Rangers’ pitching staff. Although acquiring him would likely require parting ways with promising prospects, potentially even those ready for MLB action, the potential stability Hendricks could bring to the rotation, especially in the early months of the season, might make the trade worthwhile for the Rangers.
Blake Snell
While signing Snell might be a challenging prospect given the Rangers’ current financial constraints, it’s worth noting that the former Cy Young winner remains a free agent. Snell showcased his top-tier abilities last season in San Diego, finishing with a stellar 2.25 ERA, the second-lowest of his career, which earned him his second Cy Young award.
It’s surprising that Snell is still available on the market with the regular season just weeks away. Despite the Rangers facing financial limitations this offseason, if there’s a way for Chris Young and owner Ray Davis to maneuver finances, Snell could be a valuable acquisition worth considering.
Although it’s unlikely that Snell will join the Rangers this season, as the asking price remains a significant barrier, there’s a possibility that negotiations could shift, especially with the season fast approaching. While Snell may not be on the mound for the season’s start, a potential drop in his asking price could open up an opportunity for the Rangers to pursue a deal.
Shane Bieber
Another former Cy Young winner who may soon become available is Guardians’ ace Shane Bieber. With Bieber entering his final year with the Guardians, there have been discussions within the organization regarding potential trade scenarios before his contract expires.
While it’s been rumored that the Yankees are considering acquiring Bieber for the start of the season, if that doesn’t materialize, the Rangers could explore assembling a compelling package to persuade the Guardians to send Bieber to Arlington.
Adding Bieber to the Rangers’ rotation would be a significant boost, even if he’s only with the team for the duration of the season. His presence could help maintain the team’s pitching effectiveness, particularly given the absence of two key starters for much of the first half.
Overall, there remain several pitching options available on the market for the Rangers to pursue. Hopefully, they’ll be able to secure a pitcher before the season commences, instilling confidence among fans that the Rangers can remain competitive throughout the year.
