It's been a bit of a slow start for the Texas Rangers this year. They are 42-44 as July begins.
They are only 2 1/2 games back in the Wild Card race, but are already 9 1/2 games back in the American League West, a division led by their hated rivals, the Houston Astros.
The offense has been a major problem for Texas this season, and if they add at the trade deadline, they'll need a bat or two.
David Schoenfield of ESPN predicts that the Rangers will add Josh Naylor at the deadline.
"The Rangers rank 22nd in the majors in OPS at first base and last at DH, so even factoring in this season's odd low-run environment at Globe Life Field, Naylor is a solution for either position, especially considering their DHs this past week included light-hitting journeyman Sam Haggerty and whichever catcher wasn't starting," Schoenfield writes.
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Naylor, a former All-Star, is putting together a strong season with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is hitting .304/.359/.474 with 10 home runs, 53 RBI, 10 stolen bases and an .834 OPS.
The veteran first baseman has bounced around in his career, spending time with the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians before being traded to the Diamondbacks.
The Rangers could certainly use his bat. He'll be a rental piece, as his contract expires at the end of the season.
But the Rangers offense has been a problem all season long, and if they can add a solid run producer such as Naylor, they could potentially improve and climb back into the race.
It will certainly be interesting to see what the Rangers decide to do at the deadline.
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