While the trade deadline is Monday at 3 p.m. CT, the Rangers more realistic deadline might be late Friday night.

They need to get somebody in town for Sunday, the next time the fifth spot in the rotation comes up.

That one extra start before the official deadline might just make a difference in the tight AL West race.

How likely is it? Well, the Rangers are trying. They are in contact to some degree with at least eight clubs regarding starting pitching. Here's a look at some of the most interesting, involved scenarios:

Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields is greeted in the dugout after pitching out of a bases-loaded jam during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (AP)

While the Rangers would prefer Edward Scissorhands, er, Chris Sale or Jose Quintana, James Shields might be becoming a viable alternative. Shields allowed the Chicago Cubs four hits in 7.2 scoreless innings Tuesday. He's averaged seven innings an outing over his last six starts while compiling a 1.71 ERA. The catch: Shields, 34, is guaranteed $44 million in 2017-18. The White Sox received $22 million in salary relief from San Diego when they acquired him, but there's no guarantee they'd be willing to pass on those savings to the Rangers. And this: He's allowed an average of 1.66 homers per nine innings in Arlington in eight career starts. Still dreaming of Sale? He returns Thursday, providing he doesn't opt to go Project Runway again. Quintana, who might be the real dream acquisition, is supposed to start Friday.

Kansas City Royals

Kansas City Royals pitcher Edinson Volquez throws from the mound before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, June 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) (AP)

The Royals inched closer still to selling with a 13-0 drubbing at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday. The Rangers aren't going to get involved in talks for reliever Wade Davis because the package going back would have to be ridiculous, but starter Edinson Volquez might make all the sense in the world, if the Rangers are committed to adding a rental. The club's front office saw Volquez on Sunday and, according to sources, they are waiting on Kansas City to get more aggressive in talks. The Royals, however, would probably prefer to shed Ian Kennedy, who has underachieved and has $61 million remaining on his contract. Kennedy also has an opt out after 2017 that would allow him to take free agency and receive a $6 million bonus. In that scenario, the commitment to him would drop to $19.5 million after this season. Volquez is supposed to start Friday against the Rangers in Arlington.

Oakland Athletics

Among the rentals, Rich Hill has the best statistical profile this season, but he's pitched sparingly since the end of May. He's been sidelines by groin and blister issues and limited to just 12 innings since May 29. He threw a bullpen session Tuesday and said he should be ready to make his scheduled start on Sunday. The problem is teams probably need to see him pitch again after so little work the last two months and that means that they'll have to use the 15 or so hours between when he finishes his outing and the trade deadline to make a pitch for him. The Rangers really need a starter for Sunday rather than going back to Nick Martinez.

New York Yankees

New York Yankees starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins in New York, Sunday, June 26, 2016. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens) (AP)

Now that the Yankees have moved Aroldis Chapman, theoretically it would allow them to focus on some more minor deals such as trading off an Ivan Nova, Nathan Eovaldi or CC Sabathia. The Yankees, however, have won eight of their last 10 and inched to within four games of the second wild card spot. Nova is scheduled to start Friday and Sabathia on Saturday.

Philadelphia Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 6: Jeremy Hellickson #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on July 6, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The Phillies have had veteran scouts at the last several Rangers games, but there is not a match for major league talent unless Philadelphia is willing to talk about young Vincent Velasquez AND the Rangers are willing to talk about Nomar Mazara. That's unlikely. The Rangers, however, did scout changeup artist Jeremy Hellickson on Monday. Hellickson would fit as a fairly in expensive rental with just about $2.5 million left in his contract. Over his last seven starts (45 innings), Hellickson has a 2.20 ERA, held hitters to a .199 average and allowed just five walks. With the Phillies still clearly rebuilding and Hellickson clearly not part of the future, he's the kind of guy who could be had for a lower-level prospect. A guy with upside, but still somebody not close to the majors.

San Diego Padres

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 26, 2016, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP) (AP)

Andrew Cashner, the TCU-ex, pitched well again on Tuesday at Toronto. It remains difficult to see how good friends and competitors Jon Daniels and A.J. Preller will agree upon a price that is fair to both teams and not considered a "win" for one. Also Cashner has no AL experience and no real playoff race experience. Among rentals, Volquez and Hellickson have both. Cashner is scheduled to start again on Sunday for San Diego. He won't. The Padres must deal him. It's time for Preller to take the best offer out there. San Francisco reportedly is interested and that might be the best fit.

Tampa Bay Rays

DENVER, CO - JULY 20: Starting pitcher Chris Archer #22 of the Tampa Bay Rays delivers to home plate during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 20, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The Rangers have had lots of discussions with Tampa Bay about Chris Archer, Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore. About the former, that's who the Rangers most want and it's whom they would be most willing to give up a package headed by Jurickson Profar or Joey Gallo. So far, though, the Rays want one of those guys for Odorizzi or Moore, whom the Rangers view as solid starters, but not difference-makers. There has been conversation. There will continue to be conversation. Moore is scheduled to start tonight in Los Angeles; Odorizzi on Friday. There are at least some kind of loose parameters here that, if both teams compromise, might yet yield a deal. All three Rays pitchers are controllable past 2016. That's significant.

Twitter: @Evan_P_Grant