Jacob deGrom made it clear before the MLB Trade Deadline that he had no desire to leave the Texas Rangers. Now, just days after those trade rumors surfaced, the veteran ace delivered the kind of performance that showed why both he and the organization still believe he can play a major role in the team’s postseason ambitions.
Four days before Saturday’s game, deGrom addressed the speculation surrounding his future at Globe Life Field. As the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline approached, reports indicated that the Rangers had approached the right-hander about potentially waiving his no-trade clause after several teams showed interest in acquiring him. Rather than embrace the possibility of joining another contender, deGrom made his preference clear: he wanted to remain in Texas and help the Rangers win.
That decision carried additional weight because deGrom knew he had not been pitching at his usual level. The Rangers were trying to stay in the thick of the American League playoff race, and the veteran understood that if Texas was going to make a serious postseason push, he needed to become part of the solution.
He responded in emphatic fashion Saturday night.
In a 5-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles, deGrom looked much more like the ace the Rangers expected when they signed him. He worked five innings, surrendered only one run on a solo home run by Jackson Holliday and struck out nine batters. More importantly, he attacked the strike zone with greater conviction and avoided the prolonged struggles that had plagued his recent outings.
The victory was particularly significant because it ended a difficult stretch for deGrom. His previous win came on June 30 against Cleveland, and he entered Saturday having gone 0-2 with a 6.50 ERA over his previous four starts. During that stretch, he failed to make it through five innings, and he had struggled to consistently attack hitters.
His most troubling outing came shortly before the Trade Deadline against Houston. DeGrom surrendered four runs in only 3 1/3 innings as the Rangers dropped an important game and surrendered their grip on the AL West lead to the Astros.
Rather than allowing that disappointment to carry over, deGrom changed his approach Saturday.
He explained that he had been trying to be too precise against Houston because of the importance of the series, which led to walks and mistakes. Against Baltimore, he focused on simplifying his approach: attack hitters, trust his pitches and take the game one pitch at a time.
That mindset produced a much-needed turnaround.
Although deGrom was unable to work deep into the game because a minor hip/glute issue resurfaced, he gave Texas exactly what it needed. His five innings kept the Orioles in check and allowed the Rangers to remain in control of the game while their offense provided enough support.
Corey Seager then delivered the decisive blow in the eighth inning.
With two outs, Seager launched a three-run homer to extend Texas’ advantage and provide crucial insurance. It was Seager’s first home run since returning from the injured list on July 31 after dealing with a lingering back problem.
For Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, the performances from deGrom and Seager represented exactly what he expects from the club’s biggest stars.
Schumaker described the two veterans as leaders who can carry the team when the pressure rises. He also pointed to deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi as the type of frontline starters who give Texas confidence whenever they take the mound.
Saturday’s performance was especially meaningful because of the circumstances surrounding deGrom. With trade speculation swirling around him just days earlier, he could have easily become distracted by questions about his future. Instead, he responded by pitching like someone determined to prove that his best days with Texas are not behind him.
Seager noticed that extra motivation.
He said deGrom appeared to have an additional level of emotion and determination during the outing. More than simply pitching well, deGrom seemed determined to demonstrate why he wanted to remain with the Rangers and why the organization wanted him to stay.
That message appears to have resonated throughout the clubhouse.
DeGrom has already experienced the highs and lows of his Rangers tenure. He received a World Series championship ring after Texas’ 2023 title, but his own postseason contribution was limited by injury. The Rangers won all six of his regular-season starts that year, but a torn UCL ended his season in late April and prevented him from pitching during their World Series championship run.
Now, the veteran ace wants another opportunity to contribute when the stakes are highest.
Texas is battling to hold onto the final American League Wild Card position while also attempting to climb back to the top of the AL West. With every game becoming increasingly important, the Rangers need deGrom to provide stability at the front of the rotation.
DeGrom does not believe he needs to become a superhero or carry the entire team himself. His objective is much simpler: give Texas a legitimate chance to win every time he takes the mound.
Saturday was a strong reminder of what that can look like.
The Rangers need their stars to perform when the pressure intensifies, and deGrom’s response to the Deadline drama was exactly what the organization hoped to see. His dominant outing not only stopped a personal skid but also reinforced his argument for remaining a central piece of Texas’ plans.
For Seager and the rest of the clubhouse, deGrom’s decision to stay matters beyond statistics.
When a veteran of his stature publicly says he wants to remain with the team and believes in the players around him, it can strengthen the belief inside the clubhouse. Seager suggested that deGrom’s commitment has helped rally teammates and could provide additional energy as Texas enters the most important stretch of its season.
The Trade Deadline may have passed, but deGrom’s real audition is still underway.
And if Saturday’s performance is any indication, the Rangers have plenty of reason to believe their ace can still make a major difference in their pursuit of another postseason run.
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