Rangers star fireballer linked to NL Central club with deadline looming

The Texas Rangers haven't had the season they hoped for.

Texas won the World Series last year and seemed to have a solid chance of repeating in 2024. Injuries have plagued the club all season, though. The Rangers never have been fully healthy and therefore their record isn't where they want it to be.

The Rangers knew they wouldn't be at full strength to begin the season with players like Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom on the Injured List. Texas hoped to stay afloat long enough for them to return to the field and then fight for a playoff spot down the stretch.

Things haven't gone their way and now they may be too far out of a Wild Card spot to make up the ground. If the Rangers do end up selling, the St. Louis Cardinals could have interest in All-Star fireballer Nathan Eovaldi, according to MLB.com's John Denton.

"For the first time in decades, the Cardinals were sellers at the Trade Deadline last season as they dealt away five pitchers for a bevy of prospects," Denton said. "Now, the Cards will use those prospects and others to try to lure pitching help and maybe a difference-making right-handed bat to St. Louis. Two pitchers the Cards will likely target, per a source: Rangers’ right-hander Nathan Eovaldi and Rays’ righty Zach Eflin."

St. Louis struggled out of the gate as well, but has been able to turn things around, and looks like it is going to buy at the deadline. The Cardinals are looking for pitching and Eovaldi may be one of the best pitchers available.

Don't be surprised if speculation continues to pick up about the possibility of Eovaldi being moved.