Rangers May Deal For Pitching Help

Foxsports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, in his Around the Horn report on Friday, said that the Rangers will remain open, in the absence of Josh Hamilton, to a trade for a reliever, as well, perhaps, as a starter.
 
Rosenthal names outfielder Marlon Byrd, as well as Hank Blalock as possible trade candidates; initial thought had the Rangers making a play for a reliever, though the injury to Hamilton was thought of as a potential hindrance to any deal, which would almost certainly involve moving a hitter.
 
Hamilton will learn Monday if he will need surgery to repair a sports hernia.
 
In the event that Texas parts ways with a hitter, Rosenthal says, it is likely that their replacement would come from within the organization.
 
“If the Rangers trade, say, outfielder Marlon Byrd or infielder Hank Blalock,” Rosenthal said, “they could replace that player internally, promoting Class AAA outfielder Julio Borbon, Class AAA catcher Max Ramirez or Class AA first baseman Justin Smoak.”
 
The piece also indicates Texas having interest in acquiring an additional starter, possibly Seattle’s Erik Bedard or last season’s A.L. Cy Young recipient, Cleveland’s Cliff Lee.
 
Both are left-handers with sub-three ERAs. Lee is due $7 million in 2009, while Bedard is due $7.75 million.
 
Lee seems to be the better candidate for Texas, due both to his style, and the fact that Seattle would likely be hesitant to send Bedard to a division rival.
 
This, of course, is all speculation at the moment. However, if Texas' hopes for a playoff berth continue to get closer to reality, so will the idea of a deadline trade.