The Rangers acquired lefty reliever Danny Coulombe from the Twins, the clubs announced on Thursday. The Twins will receive left-hander Garrett Horn in return.
A late-winter signing, Coulombe has turned out to be one of the best bargains from the 2024-25 free-agent market. The 35-year-old lefty specialist is making $3 million this year, a relative pittance for an effective late-inning reliever.
The Rangers are also acquiring right-handed reliever Phil Maton in a separate trade with the Cardinals, a source told MLB.com, in exchange for Minor League pitchers Mason Molina and Skyler Hales and cash considerations.
Maton, 32, has a 2.35 ERA with 48 strikeouts and just 15 walks in 40 appearances, and he will be a free agent at the end of this season.
TRADE DETAILS
Rangers get: LHP Danny Coulombe
Twins get: LHP Garrett Horn
TRADE DETAILS
Rangers get: RHP Phil Maton
Cardinals get: LHP Mason Molina, RHP Skyler Hales
Coulombe has dominated left-handed hitters, but maybe even more notably has held his own against righties as well. He didn’t allow a run until June, and though he had a three-week stint on the injured list, he’s stayed mostly healthy.
There are limits as to how often or how long he should pitch, but as long as his workload is managed, there’s no reason to think he can’t be a key contributor to a pennant-race bullpen. Coulombe has appeared in two postseasons, both with the Orioles, and has not allowed a run in three appearances.
In a separate deal, Texas shipped righty Codi Heuer to the Tigers for cash considerations.
