Rangers Reportedly 'Aggressively' Seeking Bullpen Help Ahead of MLB Trade Deadline

With Thursday's MLB trade deadline on the horizon, the Texas Rangers are reportedly making a late push to improve their pitching staff.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, rival executives have said that the Rangers are "aggressively looking to upgrade their bullpen" in the trade market.

After winning nine of their last 11 games, the Rangers improved to 56-51 and now sit just a half-game out of the third and final Wild Card spot in the American League. Olney previously reported that Texas is now expected to be "aggressive at the deadline" amid the team's recent success.

It was just two years ago that the Rangers made a surprising run to the World Series title, so improving around the margins could fuel another late surge this year. Texas already has a strong pitching staff, ranking first in MLB with a collective 3.18 ERA and an opponents' batting average of .226.

Still, the Rangers could use some improvements, especially after losing reliever Chris Martin to the 15-day injured list with a calf issue that is expected to sideline him for four to six weeks. Martin was in the midst of a strong year with a 2.36 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 34.1 innings pitched.

Ryan Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals, David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Pete Fairbanks of the Tampa Bay Rays are among the top relievers expected to be available at the trade deadline, so Texas will have a slew of options to pursue before Thursday. The right deal could put the Texans in a position to add a second World Series title in the last three years.