Texas Rangers: Buyers
Why: The Rangers have a five game lead on the division and have arguably the easiest road to the playoffs of any team in the league right now. They need to make those little additions that power a team through the playoffs and to a World Series championship.
Who do they need: The Rangers have a few weaknesses. Their lineup is exceptionally strong across the board, with good defense in both the infield and the outfield as well as a bang-up offense.
The starting rotation has suffered injuries but Yu Darvish is looking like an ace worthy of replacing C.J. Wilson. The Rangers don't really need to fix the back end of their rotation -- the arrivals of Roy Oswalt and Martin Perez have mitigated the losses of Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland. But they could go for an ace -- as they did with Cliff Lee in 2010 -- and make sure their roster is ready for the postseason.
Who can they deal: The Rangers have one of the best farm systems in the league. They have top-tier position players -- shortstop Jurickson Profar and third baseman Mike Olt -- and they have elite pitching -- Martin Perez, Tanner Scheppers, and Neil Ramirez.
Profar would be the biggest prize. The 19-year-old is hitting .293/.370/.480 in Double-A, an absurd mark for a player his age. As a shortstop, he's clearly one of the best prospects in baseball.
Who is available: As our insider Danny Knobler reported, the Rangers are operating on a Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels or bust perspective. Getting either of those two pitchers would be that Lee-like splash that would make facing the Rangers in a five or seven-game series that much scarier.
Verdict: The Rangers are arguably the best team in the American League (and the major leagues), but the Yankees are close. A team can never be too good, and the opportunity to bring a front line of Zack Greinke or Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish into the playoffs may be too much to pass up.
It would cost a decent chunk of the Rangers' future -- at least one of those top tier guys, maybe two, as well as some of their enviable minor league depth -- but as they say, flags fly forever.
