The Texas Rangers banked on internal improvement at the trade deadline, adding only catcher Carson Kelly and lefty reliever Andrew Chafin and subtracting righty Michael Lorenzen. Since then, they have gone 3-9, all but falling out of contention and raising the question of whether they will place players on waivers later this month in an attempt to save money.AdvertisementThe mere thought might seem preposterous for a franchise coming off a World Series title. Rangers ownership, however, has exercised financial caution since last offseason, citing uncertainty in the team’s future local television revenues.Clubs would save only about one-sixth of players’ remaining salaries in 2024 if they dump them before the Aug. 31 deadline for playoff eligibility. But say the Rangers succeeded in purging four potential free-agent pitchers — lefty Andrew Heaney and righty relievers David Robertson, Kirby Yates and José Leclerc. They would pocket almost $6 million.It’s possible not all of those pitcher...
