The New York Rangers, despite being the reigning World Series champions, are facing a critical juncture with less than two weeks remaining until the trade deadline. Currently sporting a 46-50 record, they sit 7.5 games back from a Wild Card spot and 5 games behind in the competitive AL West division, trailing the Mariners and Astros. General Manager Chris Young is tasked with making pivotal decisions amidst playoff odds that give them a 12.3% chance (FanGraphs) and 18.2% chance (PECOTA) of making the postseason.
In an interview with Joel Sherman of The New York Post, Young expressed a commitment to doing everything possible to win this season. However, he also acknowledged the need to assess the team’s performance in the upcoming week to clarify their stance as buyers or sellers approaching the deadline. The Rangers’ upcoming schedule includes matchups against the Orioles, White Sox, Blue Jays, and Cardinals, providing a crucial backdrop for evaluating their competitive position.
Key injuries have significantly impacted the team’s performance. Evan Carter, dealing with back tightness described as a stress reaction by Manager Bruce Bochy, has struggled with a .188/.272/.361 batting line over the season’s first two months before being placed on the injured list. Similarly, Josh Jung, after playing only four games due to a wrist fracture requiring surgery, has faced setbacks in his recovery, complicating his return timeline.
The uncertain health status of Carter and Jung adds complexity to the Rangers’ decision-making process leading up to the trade deadline. Their potential return, alongside other injured players, could influence the team’s performance and subsequent trade strategy. As Young and his staff weigh various trade scenarios with other clubs, the Rangers are poised at a crossroads, with the outcomes of upcoming games and player health updates likely shaping their approach in the days ahead.
The Rangers find themselves at a pivotal juncture approaching the trade deadline, with decisions looming on whether to push for a postseason run or pivot towards selling assets for the future. Currently sporting a 46-50 record, they are 7.5 games back in the Wild Card race and trailing in the AL West, making their playoff chances uncertain but not entirely out of reach.
Pitching has been a central concern due to injuries and recoveries. Andrew Heaney stands out as the only consistent rotation piece amidst the challenges faced by Nathan Eovaldi, Michael Lorenzen, and Jon Gray, who have all spent time on the injured list but are now active. Max Scherzer, recovering from offseason back surgery and a subsequent thumb injury, has returned recently but hasn’t been consistently available this season.
Looking ahead, the Rangers could see significant pitching reinforcements with Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle progressing in their recoveries from Tommy John surgeries, alongside potential returns from Dane Dunning and Cody Bradford. This depth theoretically positions them to make a strong second-half push if key players regain full health.
However, the surplus of pitching options also presents a scenario where the Rangers might consider selling. With a potentially crowded rotation including deGrom, Scherzer, Eovaldi, Gray, Mahle, Heaney, Lorenzen, Bradford, and Dunning if all healthy, the team could explore trading impending free agents without compromising their competitive outlook for 2025.
Impending free agents like Michael Lorenzen, Andrew Heaney, and Max Scherzer, with his full no-trade clause, could be candidates for trade discussions. Eovaldi’s contract includes a vesting player option for 2025, contingent on performance metrics that could complicate any potential trade scenario.
Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle, each with one more year left on their deals, present somewhat plausible trade options but would affect the team’s competitiveness next year. Considering the impending free agents and potential trade assets, the Rangers could weigh both buying and selling approaches based on their performance leading up to the trade deadline.
In the event the Rangers lean towards selling, they have a roster with several impending free agents beyond pitchers, including David Robertson, José Leclerc, Kirby Yates, José Ureña, Travis Jankowski, and Robbie Grossman. While the team appears poised for a pseudo postseason push, their upcoming schedule and performance will significantly influence the path they choose.
General Manager Chris Young and his team face critical decisions that could define the team’s trajectory not only for this season but also for future campaigns. The upcoming weeks leading to the trade deadline will be instrumental in shaping the Rangers’ strategy as they balance present competitiveness with long-term planning.
