Starting pitcher Chris Sale #49 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Safeco Field on July 18, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo : Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Texas Rangers are in good position to advance the 2016 MLB Playoffs. However, the Rangers could still make moves in the hope of improving their chances of winning the World Series this year.
The Rangers are comfortably on top of the American League West standings with their 58-43 record -- 3.5 games ahead of the Houston Astros. But while they are on pace to advance to the playoffs, Sports Illustrated's FanSided indicated that Texas need to make moves if they want to win the championship this year.
According the report, their pitchers are already formidable but they need improvements if they want to keep in step with the top title contenders. New York Yankees relief pitcher Andrew Miller and Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale were mentioned as possible targets for the Rangers.
Sale is considered as the best possible option for the Rangers. While the White Sox look determined to keep the 27-year-old, the Rangers have the assets to convince Chicago to part ways with the left hander. This could happen if the White Sox's playoff chances becomes dimmer, as they are currently third in AL Central with their 50-50 record.
"Without question, the best way for the Rangers to upgrade their rotation would be to trade for Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale," FanSided noted. "The Sox claim that they aren't trading Sale, but Texas might be the only team with the prospects required to make them listen."
If they successfully acquire Sale, they will have a solid rotation bannered by Sale, Cole Hamels and a healthy Yu Darvish. Sale is 14-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 19 starts this season, where he tallied 129 strikeouts.
If the White Sox remained firm on their stance on keeping Sale, the could shift their focus on Miller. The 31-year-old has a 6-1 record in 44 games this season with a 1.39 ERA.
Miller has been mentioned in numerous MLB trade rumors over the past several weeks along with Aroldis Chapman, who was already traded to the Chicago Cubs. There is growing speculation the Yankees could start a fire sale and move Miller, but manager Joe Girardi said that they are still aiming to make the playoffs.
"I know there's speculation and there's been discussion," Girardi told New York Daily News, referring to a possible fire sale. "But my thought process doesn't change. I'm managing to win."
Watch the video below to know more about possible trades involving Chris Sale.
