Even after acquiring future Hall of Famer in a with the Mets last night, indicates the Rangers are not done adding to their pitching staff. Texas is reportedly looking to add a reliever or two or their relief corps and are also interested in adding to the . An additional starting option would certainly make sense for Texas. While (2.69 ERA in 19 starts) and Scherzer create a strong top 2 at the front of the rotation, southpaws and have combined for a concerning 4.81 ERA in 40 starts this season. Righties and both have stronger numbers for the season, Gray has posted a 6.49 ERA in his past seven starts while Dunnings best work this season has come as a member of the bullpen. While Feinsand doesnt connect specific names to the Rangers, notes that the club has been scouting Red Sox left-hander . Paxton, 34, came into the season with a 6.65 ERA in 21 2/3 innings of work since the start of the 2020 season. He dealt with back and forearm i sues towards the end of his tenure with the Yankees before requiring Tommy John surgery in 2021. Separate injuries, including a late-season hamstring strain, slowed his rehab proce s and prevented him from returning to the mound with Boston in 2022. Since making a healthy return to the mound in the middle of May this season, however, Paxton has looked like a quality, playoff-caliber starter. In 70 innings of work acro s 13 starts this season, Paxton has posted a 3.34 ERA thats 40% better than league average by measure of ERA+ with a 3.61 FIP. His 28.4% strikeout rate Nate Betts Jersey and 7.1% walk rate are both a touch better than his career norms and while his .269 BABIP is noticeably lower than his career .302 figure, Paxton would be a significant upgrade to Texass rotation, or that of virtually any contender. Of course, its an open question as to whether or not the Red Sox would actually move Paxton ahead of Tuesdays deadline. After all, Boston sports a solid 56-48 record. While that puts them in fourth place in the AL East and seven games back of the division lead, theyre just 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot even with the likes of , , and on the injured list. While the Red Sox have already made one sell-side trade so far this July, last weeks that sent utilityman to the Dodgers doesnt seem particularly indicative of the clubs future plans. After all, the trade came in the midst of a brutal season on Hernandezs part and at a time when the Red Sox are flush deep with middle infield options: , , and are all on the roster with also chipping in at second base and Story nearing a return to action. Should Paxton wind up unavailable, theres still plenty of other options for the Rangers to consider in looking to upgrade their pitching staff. , , and are among the starters who seem likely to move, to say nothing of the po sibility that the Padres or Cubs opt to sell and dangle an arm like or . As for relief options, right-handers , , , and all appear in the top 15 of MLBTRs most recent list. So too does relief ace , though his availability is contingent on San Diego opting to sell just as Snells is. McKenzie Barnes Jersey