The Texas Rangers need starting pitching, and they’re eyeing the Tampa Bay Rays as a possible trade partner.
Matt Moore is a name high on Texas’s list, but Jake Odorizzi and Drew Smyly are also reportedly on Texas’s radar.
#Rangers engaged in ongoing trade talks with #Rays about Matt Moore, sources say. No deal imminent. Moore pitched very well Saturday. @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 17, 2016
Source: Rangers not yet expressing preference of who they want in talks with Rays. Odorizzi, Moore, Smyly all equally in play.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) July 17, 2016
The Rays have a whole lot of young, controllable starting pitching. Odorizzi is just 26 and under team control through 2019. Smyly turned 27 in June and is controllable through 2018. Moore is 27 as well and signed to a team-friendly contract through 2019. Any deal for any of the pitchers would be an investment for the long term as well, though all three pitchers have had their share of struggles in 2016.
Texas is aggressively pursuing pitching help, and they were reportedly in on another starter who has since been moved to another team. They’ll almost certainly add an arm before the August 1 trade deadline.
