Rangers All-Star Marcus Semien Sends Clear Message to Front Office: “I Want to Be Adding at the Deadline”
As Texas treads water near .500, Semien urges management to make a push before it’s too late
By Mac Engel | July 22, 2025
Despite owning one of the highest payrolls in baseball, the Texas Rangers are barely above .500, sitting at 51-50 heading into play on July 22. That’s a frustrating return on investment for a team with the sixth-largest payroll in MLB—especially after a World Series title in 2023. While only the Atlanta Braves, with the eighth-highest payroll, have a worse record among baseball’s big spenders, the Rangers’ performance has left plenty to be desired.
As the July 31 trade deadline looms, veteran second baseman and All-Star Marcus Semien made his position loud and clear: he wants help. “I want to be adding at the deadline,” Semien said recently. “That’s always a goal of mine—to make sure I’m on a team that is adding at the deadline.”
Texas has been hovering around .500 since April and, despite leading the league in both ERA and fielding, struggles at the plate—particularly at first base, designated hitter, and the bottom of the order—have held them back. The bullpen has also been shaky, with 17 blown saves and a troubling ERA in the late innings.
GM Chris Young has stayed quiet at recent deadlines, but this season’s inconsistency may force his hand. A deep playoff run isn’t out of reach—but only if the Rangers act quickly. With the team needing another bat or two and a lockdown reliever, Semien’s message is clear: don’t waste the talent and payroll already in place. The time to add is Now.
