Or, they could just go with what they have. Start the season with Gray, Dunning, Hearn, Otto, and Alexy. Allard could start again as well. When it gets time to shutdown 2 or 3 guys then you bring up guys like Arihara, Latz,, King, Rodriguez, Henriquez, Burke and others. Maybe even Cole Winn will prove ready. It isn't as flashy as trading prospects for 2 year rentals, but it gets the job done.
There is also likely to be a few pitchers on the FA market below the level of Kershaw and Arrietta who could be signed.
Trades make for better discussion topics, but they are not necessary.
Now, if they are actually in win-now mode then a lot of trades would be necessary, not just for a starting pitcher or two. If that is the case the more important discussion would be, "why are they in win-now mode?"
They aren’t in win-now mode. They want to sign a pitcher to protect the prospects, both giving them time to develop and to build up innings after a light 2021.
Everything I said above protects Winn, Vanasco, White, Leiter, Roby, Bradford and many others. Every pitcher I mentioned in my previous comment can get by with not throwing more than 20 to 30 additional innings over last year's total without acquiring starting pitchers via trade. Trades simply aren't necessary.
Depending on what they do, we will see if they have a win-now mentality. If they trade prospects for someone like Sonny Gray then they are in win-now mode. Their actions will define where they are.
Or, they could just go with what they have. Start the season with Gray, Dunning, Hearn, Otto, and Alexy. Allard could start again as well. When it gets time to shutdown 2 or 3 guys then you bring up guys like Arihara, Latz,, King, Rodriguez, Henriquez, Burke and others. Maybe even Cole Winn will prove ready. It isn't as flashy as trading prospects for 2 year rentals, but it gets the job done.
There is also likely to be a few pitchers on the FA market below the level of Kershaw and Arrietta who could be signed.
Trades make for better discussion topics, but they are not necessary.
Now, if they are actually in win-now mode then a lot of trades would be necessary, not just for a starting pitcher or two. If that is the case the more important discussion would be, "why are they in win-now mode?"
They aren’t in win-now mode. They want to sign a pitcher to protect the prospects, both giving them time to develop and to build up innings after a light 2021.
Everything I said above protects Winn, Vanasco, White, Leiter, Roby, Bradford and many others. Every pitcher I mentioned in my previous comment can get by with not throwing more than 20 to 30 additional innings over last year's total without acquiring starting pitchers via trade. Trades simply aren't necessary.
That’s not the way the Rangers see it, apparently.
Depending on what they do, we will see if they have a win-now mentality. If they trade prospects for someone like Sonny Gray then they are in win-now mode. Their actions will define where they are.