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Report: Rangers 'strongly leaning' toward keeping Darvish

Tim Heitman / Reuters

Yu Darvish may not be going anywhere after all.

Amid rampant speculation about his future in Texas ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, sources close to the situation told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan on Monday that the Rangers are now "strongly leaning" in the direction of keeping Darvish.

The only way that could change, reports Sullivan, is if they are either overwhelmed by an offer or their postseason hopes take a major hit in the next seven days.

Darvish, a pending free agent, has found himself at the center of trade rumors with each passing day as the deadline draws closer. He's been linked with a number of contenders, including the Chicago Cubs - who reportedly inquired about him - as well as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas' in-state rival, the Houston Astros.

In his most recent start on July 21 against the Rays, Darvish allowed three earned runs over eight innings while striking out 12 - a game that was reportedly attended by scouts from each of the Dodgers, Astros, and Cubs.

The 30-year-old is next scheduled to take the hill Wednesday versus the Marlins. He owns a 3.44 ERA, 3.84 FIP, 1.118 WHIP, and 143 strikeouts over his 21 starts this season.

Texas lost 4-0 to Miami on Monday night to fall three games behind Kansas City for the second American League wild-card spot.

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