The Texas Rangers have sent a clear message to the rest of the league — they’re not here to drift quietly into mediocrity. Amid a season marked by inconsistency and questions about their identity, President of Baseball Operations Chris Young has made a defining move: locking in on Josh Naylor and Marcell Ozuna, two of the league’s most dangerous veteran power hitters, in an aggressive push ahead of the trade deadline.
With the team sitting at a precarious 38–41 and riding a rollercoaster of form that’s frustrated fans and executives alike, speculation has swirled for weeks over whether the Rangers would act as buyers or sellers. But the fog appears to be lifting. Sources close to the front office indicate that Texas is in active pursuit of both Naylor and Ozuna, signaling a bold intent to inject firepower into a lineup that has struggled to find rhythm.
The Sluggers in Focus
Josh Naylor, the 28-year-old first baseman for the Arizona Diamondbacks, is having a quietly excellent season. Slashing .303 with 9 home runs and 51 RBIs, Naylor brings not just pop, but a consistent, contact-driven bat that could transform the middle of the Rangers’ order. On top of that, his versatility in the field and surprising speed — with 10 stolen bases already this year — makes him a dynamic asset. He’s currently on a one-year, $10.9 million deal, making him an affordable short-term addition with serious upside.
On the other side, Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves offers a more familiar, pure power profile. The 34-year-old designated hitter has clubbed 11 home runs with 40 RBIs while posting an OPS of .794. While not as mobile or defensively sharp as Naylor, Ozuna’s ability to drive the ball deep and shift momentum with a single swing is exactly what the Rangers are missing in high-leverage moments. He’s in the final year of a $65 million deal, and with Atlanta loaded offensively, the door is open for a potential move.
Chris Young’s Defining Deadline
For Chris Young, the decisions made over the next 10 days could define his tenure. In just his third full season running baseball operations, Young faces a murky midseason landscape: a roster loaded with potential but plagued by injuries and underperformance. The offense has gone ice-cold at times, especially with Jake Burger sidelined on the 10-day IL, and the bullpen has been inconsistent at best.
But if there was ever a moment to bet on the core he’s helped assemble, it’s now.
“This is a statement of intent,” one league executive said anonymously. “Targeting both Naylor and Ozuna means the Rangers aren’t throwing in the towel. They’re going for it.”
What’s Next?
The Rangers will finish their current road trip in Baltimore before returning home to host a critical four-game set against division rival Seattle — a series that could further clarify the team’s direction. But the mere fact that Texas is this deep in talks for two proven sluggers suggests the course is already set.
Texas isn’t backing down. Texas is getting ruthless.
Whether or not a deal gets done, the Rangers have made their position clear: standing still is not an option.
