Why Rangers' Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi could be 'popular' trade targets
Why Rangers' Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi could be 'popular' trade targets originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Texas Range
Why Rangers' Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi could be 'popular' trade targets originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Pr
Read Full Story at Yahoo Sports →Why This Matters
The potential availability of Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi forces a reckoning with MLB’s shifting economic landscape, where even elite pitchers—once considered untouchable—may now face trade scrutiny. Their mobility could redefine midseason roster dynamics, signaling a new era where star players no longer command irrational trade blocks from contenders. For teams with deep pockets but postseason aspirations, these pitchers represent the ultimate high-risk, high-reward gambles.
Background Context
The Rangers’ historically aggressive spending under president of baseball operations Chris Young has created an unusual predicament: despite a $250 million-plus payroll, the team’s rotation remains a question mark beyond deGrom and Eovaldi. Meanwhile, MLB’s trade deadline has evolved into a high-stakes chess match, where contenders are willing to sacrifice draft capital for a single season of dominance. This dynamic has made even aging aces like Eovaldi—once a mid-tier starter—potential trade chips in a league obsessed with bullpen arms.
What Happens Next
If deGrom or Eovaldi moves, it will likely be to a team with a clear postseason path but a glaring rotation weakness, such as the Dodgers or Phillies. The Rangers’ financial flexibility could hinge on whether they retain both pitchers or use one as leverage to secure younger talent. Watch for teams to gauge the market’s appetite for Eovaldi first, given his lower cost and proven playoff experience, before committing to deGrom’s astronomical AAV.
Bigger Picture
The Rangers’ situation reflects a league-wide trend where even small-market teams are testing the limits of financial prudence by holding onto star pitchers too long. It also underscores how the trade deadline has become a referendum on front-office strategy, where contenders are increasingly willing to mortgage the future for a single October run. The deGrom/Eovaldi saga may set a precedent for how teams balance fiscal responsibility with the allure of a championship.
