Rangers Show Interest in Beltran and Rodriguez
By Editorial Staff
The Texas Rangers have shown interest in a pair of Mets’ players according to Jon Heyman.
Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez have found their way onto the Rangers’ list of interests this summer. The New York vets are set for free agency and apparently hold some appeal for Texas.
So far in 2011 Beltran has been able to put up a line of .278/.372/.480 for the Mets. The 34 year old is currently leading the team in home runs and RBIs while in the last year of his $119 million deal. He’s making $18.5 mil this season.
Rodriguez is tied for 7th in the league in saves this season, but has hit a rough patch of late. K Rod entered the month of June with an ERA of 1.73 but has witnessed that number balloon to 3.65 thanks to an 8.18 earned run average this month.
Texas is in definite need of bullpen help, as the club’s relievers sit 27th in the league with a 4.53 ERA. However, the need for another outfielder isn’t quite as evident.
Former All-Stars Nelson Cruz and Josh Hamilton are currently manning the corners for the Rangers, and Endy Chavez has played well in center since joining the club in May.
You could move Hamilton or Beltran to center, but would it really be worth the cost of taking on the remainder of Beltran’s hefty contract? Lineup production should also be the least of Texas’ worries as the club sits atop the league in several offensive categories.