When Texas wins, there is usually a scene or two like this: home run congratulations. These days the Rangers must outslug teams to win.

Other articles by Evan Grant:

Rangers: Rogers: Steroid policy doesn't fix anything

Health Care
Tucson Ear Nose & Throad
Appointment Schedule Trades/Construction
GRAYCLIFF OF ARIZONA
FORMAN & LABORERS Health Care
Children's Pulmonary Specialist
MA/Peds Specailty Ofc Health Care
Respicare
Sales Rep Sales and Marketing
sales General
TECHNICIANS Finance and Accounting
Patient Financial Coordinator

DALLAS — A year ago, the Texas Rangers began the second half of the season knowing they were going to be among the most active sellers at the trade deadline swap meet at the end of July.

Their scouts were fanned out across the country, examining the minor-league systems of every contender. The only thing the Rangers had to decide is what would be their selling point.

As they resume the season at Minnesota with a three-game series this weekend, the Rangers' situation is a lot less clear. They totter on the edges of the AL West and wild card races. After an abysmal first three weeks, the club has had the fourth-best record in baseball. They know teams that get better as the season progresses are the most dangerous as playoff races start to heat up.

Just where do they stand? Buyers? Sellers? Contenders? Pretenders? Here are some answers to questions that fans have been asking and that the Rangers must answer as the trade deadline and the playoff races approach.

Are the Rangers in a playoff race?

In the last 10 years, only two AL teams have been less than six games over .500 at the break and made the playoffs.

Oakland did it in 2001 with pitchers Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Barry Zito entering their prime. The Yankees did it last year when their $200 million payroll finally started paying dividends.

The Rangers have neither a deep pitching staff nor a treasure trove of cash with which to take on extra salaries. They must rely on outslugging people to climb into the race.

If the Rangers are active in the trade market, will they be buyers or sellers?

The Rangers are in the market for starting pitching, whether it's an on-the-cusp-of-stardom guy or a prospect ready to reach the majors. Adding that kind of pitcher (think somebody like Kansas City's Zack Greinke) would improve the team both this season and long-term.

The Rangers are in an unusual position. They can offer veteran rental players to contending teams for advanced pitching prospects, and their deep farm system makes it just as possible they could put somebody such as 23-year-old Jarrod Saltalamacchia into a deal to acquire a young but established starter from a struggling team.