If the Texas Rangers are going to make a deal before the July 31 deadline expect it to be for a pitcher, says Jeff Wilson at the Dallas News.

The Rangers pitching staff has been somewhat average this year. Their rotation is lead by veterans Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla both of who have had solid years. The back end of their rotation is very young, but very promising with Scott Feldman and Derek Holland. Given the fact that the Rangers only have two starters with any big game experience it's understandable that they might look to acquire some veteran starters. The Rangers pitching staff currently ranks nineteenth among all major league teams with a 4.32 team ERA.

The Rangers have been one of several teams linked to Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, however it's unlikely they would be willing to give up the young pieces needed to obtain him. One thing's for sure though if the Rangers wanted Halladay, and had the financial wherewithal to afford him, they could definitely get him. The Rangers have unquestionably one of the best farm systems in all of baseball.

However, while Halladay is certainly the big prize of 2009 he's not the only pitcher on the market. The Rangers reportedly are interested in several other pitchers including Cliff Lee, Zach Duke, Doug Davis, Ian Snell, Jonathan Sanchez, Jon Rauch, Rafael Betancourt, Danys Baez, Matt Capps and David Weathers (you get the point, they're interested in everyone).

Rangers GM John Daniels doesn't deny the fact that the Rangers are looking, but he understands that as of now the team can only focus on the players they have.

"We're certainly looking into everything that's there," Daniels said. "But until something presents itself, we need to prepare as though the group we have is the group we're going to try to go forward with."

With the Rangers right within striking distance of their first division title since 1999, I have to imagine Daniels is going to make a move to try and win now. He has arguably the deepest farm system in all of baseball that should allow him to the flexibility to go out and acquire a veteran pitcher.

Entering play tonight the Rangers are currently 49-41, which puts them three games behind the first place Angels.