Rangers’ Recent Performance
ANAHEIM, Calif. — It’s not that Chris Young lost belief in the Rangers. Even in a season’s worth of trying moments compressed into three months of frustrating baseball, he stuck to that idea publicly. Even when there was nothing to really believe in, he sought to re-emphasize that belief.
But, seeing is still believing.
What he’s seen over three remarkable weeks is enough to make any baseball front office executive giddy with excitement. Since the Rangers last landed in Orange County, they’d won 12 of 16 games entering Monday’s series opener with the Los Angeles Angels. They’d shaved seven games off the division lead and moved into a virtual tie for a wild card spot. It’s a lot.
All of that has impressed the Rangers’ baseball operations honcho, but not nearly as much as the way the team has played: with urgency.
Rangers’ Baseball Operations
“It’s been really fun to watch this team play with tremendous grit, passion, resilience and determination,” he told The Dallas Morning News on Monday. “That’s Ranger baseball. We play like that and we can compete with anyone. I’ll take our chances with anybody.”
Now come the hard parts. With less than 72 hours to go until the MLB trade deadline, the Rangers began the week still having to sort through whether they’ve caught fire or have just had great timing to coincide with so many other contenders hitting their roughest stretches of the season. More likely, the truth falls somewhere in between. That might determine how aggressive he should be.
Payroll Issues
He must also sort through a more complex payroll issue, which is going to determine how aggressive he can be.
The Rangers are bumping up very close to the $241 million Competitive Balance Tax threshold. The payroll figure is a moving target, partly because of performance bonuses. Estimates currently have the Rangers between $235-238 million. There are at least $1.5 million worth of makeable performance bonuses out there for pitchers Patrick Corbin, Tyler Mahle, Hoby Milner, Jacob Webb and possibly even Chris Martin to earn.
Texas Rangers pitcher Robert Garcia celebrates after striking out Athletics third baseman Gio Urshela for the final out of a 2-1 victory in baseball game at Globe Life Field on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.(Smiley N. Pool / Staff Photographer)
It makes threading the needle to add payroll quite a small eyehole. Maybe $2 million, if Young is given the green light by owner Ray Davis, to add up to the CBT. Perhaps less if Davis doesn’t want to go past where he is now. Then it would require subtracting money to add as the Rangers tried unsuccessfully last year, offloading Michael Lorenzen to add reliever Andrew Chafin and catcher Carson Kelly.
Future Considerations
There is also another point to be considered: The future. The practical reason to stay below $241 million is to reset the tax penalties so that if the team goes over next year, it moves to a lower penalization bracket. But that only matters if the team goes over. If Davis doesn’t intend to get close to the threshold next year, then it may be worth having a conversation about trying to capitalize on this team’s improved chances now.
A Changing Market
And there is one other factor to now consider: A changing market. The Rangers primary desire is a high-leverage reliever, though they’d also like another right-handed bat to better neutralize lefties, if there is money to do so. Over the weekend, the available pitching supply shrank with Baltimore’s Felix Bautista ending up on the IL and MLB placing Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase on leave as part of a gambling investigation. Less supply for all the demand is liable to push prices for the remaining closers up. That’s a group that includes Atlanta’s Raisel Iglesias, the Angels’ Kenley Jansen, Washington’s Kyle Finnegan, Tampa Bay’s Pete Fairbanks and possibly St. Louis’ Ryan Helsley.
“We are going to keep looking,” Young told KRLD-FM 105.3 “The Fan” on his weekly segment Monday.
Translation: He’s encouraged by what he’s seen, mindful of the challenges, but determined to make the team better.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Rangers have shown significant improvement in their recent performance, and the team’s baseball operations are working to make the most of this momentum. However, they face challenges such as payroll issues and a changing market, which will require careful consideration and strategic decision-making.
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FAQs
Q: What is the Rangers’ current payroll situation?
A: The Rangers are close to the $241 million Competitive Balance Tax threshold, with estimates ranging from $235-238 million.
Q: What are the Rangers’ primary needs in the trade market?
A: The Rangers are looking for a high-leverage reliever and potentially another right-handed bat to better neutralize lefties.
Q: How will the changing market affect the Rangers’ trade plans?
A: The reduced availability of pitching supply may drive up prices for the remaining closers, making it more challenging for the Rangers to make a trade.
