A few items of note out of the AL West, where the Rangers held a 4.5-game lead over the second-place Halos entering Tuesday night's action …
- Angels GM Jerry Dipoto doesn't expect his club to be busy at the trade deadline, writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The lineup and bullpen, in particular, seem to be pretty set, and though Dipoto hinted that he'd like to improve the rotation, he said it won't be easy to do so. Owner Arte Moreno isn't inclined to increase the team's $151MM payroll, according to Saxon, especially after last offseason's spending spree.
- Despite a rash of injuries to the starting rotation, Rangers GM Jon Daniels doesn't plan to be any more aggressive in seeking starting pitchers at the trade deadline, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, as Texas' disabled hurlers are all expected back shortly after the All-Star break. Said Daniels: "The group we're going to get back is probably more impactful than anybody we can go get out there," according to Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest.com (via Twitter).
- However, the Rangers could be in the mix for Brewers starter Zack Greinke, speculates Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com (Twitter link), as they were a finalist for the right-hander when the Royals traded him to Milwaukee following the 2010 season. It remains to be seen whether the Brewers will re-sign Greinke or deal him before the deadline.
