Trade Deadline Target: Ricky Nolasco

The Texas Rangers have been serious players at the MLB trade deadline since Jon Daniels became the club's general manager, and this year will be no different. Let's take a look at a possible Rangers target for the July 31 deadline.

Target: Ricky Nolasco, RHP, Miami Marlins

Nolasco is an interesting case who's kind of flown under the radar this year to have a solid season through the first half. ESPN's Jayson Stark said that Nolasco's market has basically come down to three teams: the Dodgers, Rockies and Rangers.

This season, the veteran righty leads the league with 18 starts, proving he's durable, and is 5-8 with a 3.85 ERA with a 7.2 K/9 ratio. Looking at his game log, he resembles what we all love about Derek Holland, at times, and what Holland is starting to grow out of — inconsistency.

The only thing here the Rangers have to guard against is that Nolasco might not be a significant upgrade over anyone in the top 3-4 in the rotation — not like Matt Garza, for instance, who would probably slide into the No. 2 spot and make Holland a very effective No. 3 starter. He's a lower-level rental than Garza, though, so he could be worth looking at if the Rangers want to make a move for a starting pitcher.

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