One trade Rangers must make after Astros’ Josh Hader signing
Revealing one trade the Texas Rangers must consider after the Houston Astros signed Josh Hader to a $95 million contract.
The Houston Astros recently agreed to a five-year, $95 million contract with star closer Josh Hader. Houston’s offseason was mostly quiet prior to the signing. The Astros are hoping to make a statement in the American League West after the Texas Rangers won the World Series in 2023.
Texas features a talented team. They should still be able to compete in 2024. However, a number of their starting pitchers will miss the first part of the season due to injuries. As a result, adding pitching depth should be Texas’ top priority.
Rangers must trade for two Marlins pitchers
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo has been mentioned as a trade candidate during the offseason. Luzardo, 26, features the potential to become a star and would make sense for the Rangers. He also used to pitch in the AL West for the Oakland Athletics.
One other Marlins pitcher who Texas should consider trading for is a hurler who used to pitch for the A’s as well. AJ Puk is a 28-year-old left-hander who pitched for the Athletics through the 2022 season before ending up with the Marlins.
Luzardo is a starter without question. Rumors have swirled about Puk transitioning into a starting pitcher, but he could be used as a valuable relief weapon.
In 2023, Puk pitched to the tune of a 3.97 ERA across 58 games out of Miami’s bullpen. He enjoyed even more success in 2022 with Oakland, finishing the season with a superb 3.12 ERA in 62 relief appearances.
I have always been a fan of Jesus Luzardo. He’s a left-handed pitcher as well, and offers an impressive fastball to go along with dazzling breaking stuff.
Luzardo struggled early in his career with the A’s. He’s finally started to display signs of stardom in Miami over the past two seasons, however.
In 2022, Luzardo finished the year with a 3.32 ERA across 18 outings. In 2023, Luzardo stayed healthy and started 32 games. He recorded a respectable 3.58 ERA while striking out 208 batters.
At just 26-years old, there is reason to believe that Jesus Luzardo can develop into a Cy Young-caliber starting pitcher at the big league level. He is still improving and the Rangers would be acquiring a potential ace in a deal.
