The Rangers acquire Phil Maton

Around 4:54 pm before the deadline closed Jeff Passan reported that the Rangers and St Louis Cardinals agreed on a deal to send Phil Maton to the Rangers.

The Rangers get Maton from the Cardinals in return for #27th and #28th pitching prospects Mason Molina and Skylar Hales as well as international Bonus pool money. Mason Molina pitched pretty well for the Rangers this year. In 74 innings he struck out 92 hitters and held opponents to a .207 batting average, and he had a 3.41 ERA. Molina was acquired in the Grant Anderson trade with the Brewers last year. I liked what Molina was doing this year and he was becoming one of my favorites, but it's a part of the business you can't hold on to every prospect. Skylar Hales has had an interesting pro career so far. I think Hales was set to become a reliever for the Rangers he throws a high 90s fastball with a curveball and slider. Hales had a good year for the Rangers last year in high A and AA. Through both levels he had a 3.18 ERA in 56.2 innings, and he also held opponents to a .231 batting average. This year for Hales has been a different story for him, so far he has a 7.64 ERA in 33 innings in AA and AAA.

As for Maton, the Rangers are getting one of the better preforming relievers this year. Maton has a 2.35 ERA on the year with a 2.49 FIP, he also has done a good job at striking out hitters this year which is definitely what the Rangers need in the bullpen. Maton has not been hit very hard at all this year, he is 99th percentile in avg exit velo, 97th percentile in barrel%, and 99th percentile in hard hit%. He has a 4 pitch mix that includes a curve, sweeper, cutter, and a sinker. Maton's curveball has been his best pitch for him and his best put away pitch, hitters are only hitting .152 against it.

Overall, I like this move for the Rangers a good bit. It wasn't too expensive in my opinion and the Rangers got a really good arm out of the trade.