Jim Bowden, the former general manager of the Reds and Nationals, and current talking voice on MLB Network Radio, is also a contributor to The Athletic.

Yesterday, he released his list of the top 125 players he thinks are trade targets this coming trade deadline, which is 5:00 p.m. Dallas time on August 2. 

At first blush you think, “125 players? That seems like a long list.” Last year, though, 149 players were traded between July 15 and the trade deadline. 

So, are there any Rangers on that list? Yes. Here is who and what he had to say about them:

Martin Perez—With a 2.18 ERA in twelve starts and a 2.6 WAR (Baseball-Reference), Perez is the biggest surprise of the first half of the season. I’m not sure if the Rangers will entertain trade offers, but they should and sell high for the right deal.

Joe Barlow—Barlow has a 3.22 ERA and eleven saves in thirteen opportunities. Opponents hit .192 against his slider. He isn’t arbitration-eligible until 2025.

Brock Burke—Burke, 25, has a 0.83 ERA in 32 2/3 innings. He throws a 95-to-97 mph fastball, a nasty 86 mph slider and a deceptive changeup.

Matt Moore—Moore has found a niche as a lefty out of the bullpen (2.54 ERA in twenty games) but still struggles with command and control, and that will not change.

Charlie Culberson—A solid utilityman who can play every infield position with average or above defense.

Kole Calhoun—Regardless of whether the Rangers remain in the wild-card race, Calhoun could get traded. He’s an above-average defender with power.

Of course, that comment about Calhoun—whether the Rangers remain in the wildcard race—could have an impact on whether any of these Rangers is traded.

One thing to remember, the playoffs have been expanded to include three wildcard teams to go along with the three division winners. So, while there is no way the Rangers win the division, they could harbor hopes of a wild card. But so will three of the four teams in the A.L. East. The Yankees are almost certainly going to win the East. But Toronto, Tampa Bay, and Boston will compete for the playoffs. Minnesota is ahead in the Central. Cleveland and Chicago, if it finally gets its act together, could will also have playoff hopes. 

In the West, maybe a fire is lit under Seattle. 

But, the next six weeks will be important. And, with the expanded playoffs, the trade deadline will be even more important. The Rangers could really make a huge impact on their chances the next few years.

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