A ndrew Chafin, a left-handed relief pitcher now in his 12th MLB season, offered a quick jab upon learning of a trade from the Detroit Tigers to the Texas Rangers last July. "At least it's not California," Chafin said before leaving Detroit's clubhouse en route for Arlington. Chafin might regret that remark one year later.

If you are just joining, yes, the Rangers priority is a high-leverage reliever. That market started to move in earnest on Wednesday with Jhoan Duran going to Philadelphia and Ryan Helsley going to the New York Mets. But there are other Rangers trade targets out there.

On Thursday, the Tigers made a quiet trade that resulted in them acquiring a reliever who has only one major-league appearance since 2021.