The Texas Rangers hold a slim 1.5-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West with one week remaining before the MLB trade deadline, but adding another impact reliever could be the key to strengthening their grip on the division.
While Texas has received solid production from parts of its bullpen, the club is still viewed as needing another high-leverage arm to support its postseason aspirations.
According to The Athletic’s Dennis Lin, the Rangers are a strong candidate to acquire Mets reliever Luke Weaver before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Lin predicts Texas will strike a deal for the veteran right-hander, believing he would provide the same type of bullpen boost that Aroldis Chapman gave the Rangers during their 2023 World Series run.
Although Weaver isn’t the same type of closer as Chapman, he would represent a major upgrade to the back end of Texas’ bullpen.
Weaver has been one of baseball’s most effective relievers this season, posting a 1.93 ERA over 40 appearances while recording 43 strikeouts in 42 innings.
He has also compiled a 2.92 FIP, a 0.833 WHIP, and 1.8 bWAR, showing that his dominant performance has been backed by strong underlying metrics rather than luck.
Another major reason Weaver is attractive to the Rangers is his contract status. Signed to a two-year, $22 million deal, the 32-year-old remains under team control through the 2027 season, giving Texas more than just a short-term rental.
Acquiring Weaver would not only bolster the bullpen for this year’s playoff push but also provide a reliable late-inning option beyond the 2026 campaign, making him one of the Rangers’ most logical trade targets.
