Yankees Rumors: Rangers' desire to clear salary could save NYY if star hits waivers

The Texas Rangers tried the New York Yankees' way of doing business when they largely decided to stand pat at the trade deadline and hope that the return of injured players would improve their hopes to defend their World Series title.

Turns out, it's been a complete failure. The Rangers are now 10 games below .500 as of Friday and are facing the red-hot Minnesota Twins this weekend. They're all but officially out of the playoff race unless they go on an unlikely monster run.

But it seems the front office might be more realistic than that. Or, at least, that's what MLB insider Ken Rosenthal thinks.

Remember this past offseason when the Rangers scaled back spending because of issues with their local TV deal? It's possible the organization is still feeling a bit of strain from that, and Rosenthal suggests it could be a possibility for the Rangers to place some of their players on waivers before the end of August to see if there are any takers. Such a move could help them get under the luxury tax threshold — a smart move if there's little chance of them making the postseason.

There'd surely be a taker for starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, who was floated as one of the potential options by Rosenthal. And it makes a ton of sense if the Rangers do actually have motivation to save money.

Rangers' desire to clear payroll could save Yankees if Nathan Eovaldi hits waivers

Let's start by saying that if this happens and the Yankees don't pounce (assuming they have the ability to in the waiver order) then fans might actually riot. Clarke Schmidt return or not, the Yankees still need starting pitching help for the playoffs.

As for the details surrounding Eovaldi's potential waiver claim, the right-hander is making $16 million this year and holds a $20 million vesting option for 2025 that kicks in if he combines for 300 innings between 2023 and 2024 (he needs just 36 more between now and the end of the season).

Not only would that help the Yankees find a Nestor Cortes solution for 2025 (because he's all but phasing himself out of New York), but it'd give them an incredible postseason performer (3.05 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 82 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings) for at least 2024. Eovaldi has fueled two World Series runs (2018 with the Red Sox and 2023 with the Rangers).

After the team's underwhelming trade deadline, the Yankees need to capitalize on any and all opportunities that present themselves before the end of the regular season. It starts with potential waiver claims, and it ends with September call ups when rosters expand.

If the Rangers drop something like this in their laps, it could be everything the Yankees need to go on a memorable run.