Rangers Connected to Multiple Relievers 48 Hours Before The Trade Deadline
The Rangers have been connected to 4 teams about relievers today. At approximately 8:30 this morning Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the Rangers were among the teams that have contacted the Pirates about closer David Bednar. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com also reported that the Rangers are among teams interested in Cardinals flame-throwing closer Ryan Helsley. Now Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News has reported that the Rangers have engaged in talks with the Colorado Rockies about a trio of relievers they have made available (Jake Bird, Victor Vodnik, and Tyler Kinley). As well as Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays also reported by Evan Grant.
David Bednar- Bednar is an arm I mentioned the Rangers could target in my last article. It isn't surprising at all to see why the Rangers would be interested in Bednar. He has been good for the Pirates this year, Bednar has a 2.37 ERA in 38 innings and has not blown a save yet this year. Bednar strikes hitters out which is what you are looking for in a closer. The Rangers don't really have a guy that excels at striking out hitters. Robert Garcia has a 9.82 K/9 which is the highest in the bullpen. David Bednar has a 12.08 K/9. The Rangers are in clear need of a bullpen arm who can strike guys out like that. The Pirates want a team's top 5 prospect in return for Bednar. I would be comfortable trading one of Kohl Drake or Winston Santos (#5 and #4 prospects according to MLB Pipeline). I do wonder if we can get a deal done, because the other teams connected (Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies) to him this morning can give a better package the Pirates would like more. I do hope we can land David Bednar because he is under contract next year as well.
Ryan Helsley- Helsley is an arm I expected the Rangers to be connected to because he is a "high end" leverage arm. Helsley has one of the highest fastball velocities in the game, the Rangers could use some of that. On top of that Ryan Helsley 3.00 ERA this year with a 3.51 FIP. His slider which he has thrown the most this year has been elite, opponents are hitting only .092 against it. However, his fastball has been hit pretty hard this year despite the high velo. Helsley does strike hitters out, he has a 10.25 K/9 this year. He also has 21 saves on the year in 26 opportunities. I haven't seen anything about what Helsley will cost yet, but my guess is a team's top 5-12 prospect.
Jake Bird- Bird will be a free agent in 2029 meaning he has multiple years of control. He does have a 4.73 ERA which doesn't look great, but he has a 3.45 FIP and a xERA of 3.56 so his numbers are better than they show. Bird also does a good job of striking out hitters he has a 10.46 K/9. Bird has a 5 pitch mix that consists of a sweeper, sinker, curveball, cutter, and 4-seam fastball. His sweeper and his curveball are his best two pitches in his arsenal. It's hard to guess what the price tag on bird would be, and I don't think I can exactly.
Victor Vodnik- Vodnik is due to become a free agent in 2030 so the Rangers will have him for a while. Vodnik has a 3.19 ERA in 31 innings this year for the Rockies. He has some of the best fastball velocity in the game, according to Baseball Savant he is 97th percentile in fastball velo. However, he does get hit hard and he doesn't get a lot of chase, but he does get a good amount of whiffs and strikeouts. Walks are an issue for Vodnik as well. Similar to his teammate Jake Bird I have no clue what the price for him would be.
Tyler Kinley- Kinley has a club option for next year and will be a free agent in 2027. He doesn't have the best numbers so far, he has a 4.14 FIP with a 5.66 ERA. Kinley has a 4 pitch mix that include a slider, 4-seam fastball, curveball, and changeup. His slider is his best pitch, but his fastball is the pitch that gets hit the hardest. Opponents hit .319 off of the fastball. He gets good chase and swing and miss, but again walks are an issue for him. Kinley doesn't get hit hard though, he is the 97th percentile in hard hit%. Similar to his other Rockies teammates I don't exactly know the price on him but I can say he won't be as expensive as the other two rockies relievers because he doesn't have the control they do. Maybe a top 18-30 prospect, that's my rough guess.
Pete Fairbanks- Fairbanks similar to Tyler Kinley has a club option next year and will be a free agent in 2027. As I was writing this Evan Grant reported that the Rangers contacted the Tampa Bay Rays about former Ranger Pete Fairbanks. He was traded for Nick Solak back in 2019. Fairbanks has been in the closer for the Rays this season and the last two seasons. Fairbanks currently has a 2.75 ERA with a 2.89 FIP in 39.1 innings this year. Pete in the past has been a big strikeout guy but only has struck out 7.55 hitters per 9 innings, but he still has been productive. He has 18 saves this year in 21 opportunities. Fairbanks has the best Barrel% in the league so he doesn't get barreled up, and he has good fastball velo that gets up into the high 90s. He has a 3 pitch mix that includes a 4-seam fastball, slider, and change up. His fastball and slider have preformed the best for him this year, his slider yields a .132 opponents batting average. My guess is the price on him will be around what David Bednar's asking price, I could be wrong but that would be my guess.
It is no secret at all that Chris Young and the Rangers want to add a closer/high leverage bullpen arm at this year's deadline. I am confident that he will make a move for a bullpen arm. Chris Young also wants to add a right-handed hitter.
