The Texas Rangers' abysmal offense has been one of the most surprising stories of the year in Major League Baseball.
Only two years ago, this Rangers team slugged its way to a World Series win. But with most of the same lineup intact, they're 25th in runs, 20th in home runs, and 28th in team OPS at the midway point of the 2025 campaign.
For Texas, the trade deadline is an interesting conundrum. They're 41-43, but somehow, they're only 2 1/2 games out of playoff position. Perhaps there's a world in which they could improve the offense enough to get back to October?
That's why one baseball writer believes the Rangers are going to be the aggressors, making a move for a new middle-of-the-order bat.
On Monday, Stephen Perez of FanSided predicted that the Rangers would either acquire Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna or Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez in a deadline blockbuster.
"Ozuna has been linked to the Rangers before as they look to inject life into a struggling offense. The 34-year-old is hitting .251 with 11 homers and and 40 RBIs in the final season of his contract as the Braves DH," Perez wrote.
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"As for Suárez, there hasn't been a lot of trade talks surrounding him since the D-backs are in a similar boat as Texas but, like Ozuna, he is in the final year of his contract. The veteran third baseman is on fire to start the season with already 25 homers and 67 runs driven in for Arizona."
Ozuna is dealing with some hip pain this season and it seems to be zapping his power. That might make him more affordable than Suárez if both are available (and frankly, there's no guarantee either of them will be).
The American League is still there for the taking if the Rangers can figure out their offense. Trading for one of these vets might do the trick, but there's certainly risk involved.
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