Our Seattle Mariners are right there, scrapping for the AL West lead, just 1.5 games back from the Texas Rangers as the trade deadline looms. But hold up, because Dennis Lin from The Athletic just dropped a prediction that could make that gap feel a whole lot bigger for our boys in green and blue. Lin is calling for the Rangers to swing a massive deal for Mets reliever Luke Weaver, an arm that could seriously upgrade their bullpen one week before the August 3 deadline.
Texas’ Bullpen Hunt Just Got Serious
The Rangers are fighting our Mariners for the top spot in the AL West, and if there’s one thing they need, it’s more bullpen help, especially at the back end. Lin’s prediction is clear: “Luke Weaver becomes a Ranger.” While guys like Jacob Latz have been great with a 1.69 ERA this season, and a few others haven’t been terrible, adding an elite reliever who can close games if needed is an ideal move for Texas. This 32-year-old Mets reliever has been absolutely awesome this season, sporting a nasty 1.93 ERA across 40 appearances with 1.8 bWAR. He’s punched out 43 batters in 42 innings pitched, and his 217 ERA_ is a career-best mark. With a 2.92 FIP and 0.833 WHIP, Weaver’s dominance isn’t some kind of fluke. This guy is a legitimate threat.
A $22 Million Arm Staring Down the Emerald City
Here’s the kicker, Emerald City: Weaver isn’t just a rental. He’s under club control through 2027 on a two-year, $22 million contract, making him a 1.5-year high-leverage reliever. This means the Rangers aren’t just thinking about this season’s AL West fight; they’re looking to solidify their bullpen for the long haul. If the Rangers really do add Weaver, it’s a huge move that would significantly upgrade their shaky bullpen, giving them another weapon to try and extend that 1.5-game lead over our Mariners. This move directly impacts the toughest division race in baseball, and it’s something our front office and our boys on the field need to be ready for.
With the trade deadline just one week out, and August 3 fast approaching, every move these Rangers make impacts our chances at the AL West top spot. Our Mariners are fighting hard, and we gotta keep pushing, Green and Blue! Let’s see what happens next in this incredible division race.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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