Rangers Bolster Bullpen with Shrewd Deadline Deals

As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approached, the Texas Rangers were focused on upgrading their bullpen to bolster their push for the playoffs. Their closer for much of the season, Luke Jackson, had recently been released and signed by the Detroit Tigers, leaving a void that needed to be filled.

While the Rangers were connected to some of the top relievers on the market, such as David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates, they ultimately missed out on those high-profile targets. However, the Rangers did manage to make two excellent additions to their relief corps, acquiring left-hander Danny Coulombe from the Minnesota Twins and Phil Maton from the St. Louis Cardinals.

Coulombe's acquisition has drawn particular praise from former MLB executive Jim Bowden, who labeled him the "most under-the-radar" reliever traded at the deadline. The left-hander has been a standout performer for the Twins this season, posting a 1.09 ERA over 42 appearances. Coulombe has the ability to get both right-handed and left-handed hitters out, making him a valuable asset for the Rangers' bullpen.

In his first two appearances with Texas, Coulombe has already made an impact, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out four batters. While he may not have extensive experience as a closer, his versatility and effectiveness against all types of hitters will make him a valuable weapon for manager Bruce Bochy to deploy at any point in the game.

The Rangers are certainly pleased with their deadline additions, as they look to solidify their bullpen and make a strong push for the postseason in the final stretch of the 2025 campaign.