Rangers’ prized youngsters are Major players

ARLINGTON — The Rangers continue their search for pitching and the players potential trade suitors want from them continue to make major contributions to a first-place team.

Texas is now four games in front of the Astros in the American League West following an 8-3 victory over the Royals on Friday night and the combination of Jurickson Profar, Nomar Mazara and Rougned Odor were 7-for-11 with six runs scored, three home runs and four RBIs.

Those are the three young Rangers players most coveted by opposing teams in trade talks leading up to the non-waiver Trade Deadline on Monday at 3 p.m. CT. Joey Gallo is in the mix too and he was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. But it’s obvious that if the Rangers are going to fulfill their desire of adding an impact starting pitcher, they are going to be badgered about four players who are increasingly becoming an indispensable part of their lineup.

“I don’t even bring that up to them,” manager Jeff Banister said. “You talk about those things and it creates an environment. I’m not sure they pay attention to that.”

There is so much being thrown out there it’s hard to know what is worth anybody’s attention. The Rangers have certainly shown a willingness to add an impact starting pitcher, and Chris Sale of the White Sox and Chris Archer of the Rays are certainly high on Texas’ wish list as the clock pushes …

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