With so many power hitters still available via free agency and trade, the Texas Rangers have options for their designated hitter in 2017. Who are the likeliest answers?
It’s been one of the more discussed topics this winter. What will be the Texas Rangers’ big offseason splash? The club has been connected to upper-tier free agents like Edwin Encarnacion, Dexter Fowler, Mark Trumbo and Jose Bautista. The Rangers have also been frequently mentioned as a landing spot for fallback options like Mike Napoli, Chris Carter and Brandon Moss.
Texas’ biggest offseason move to date has been re-signing outfielder Carlos Gomez to a one-year, $10 million deal. While this is a solid transaction, the Rangers have seemingly lost ground to other American League powerhouses, the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox. Both have made league-shifting moves with the additions of Chris Sale and Encarnacion, respectively.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has frequently stated that the team didn’t expect to be one of the more aggressive teams this offseason. In addressing the Rangers’ chances of signing Encarnacion, TR Sullivan of MLB.com tweeted, “Daniels said a big-ticket free agent like Encarnacion is unlikely. Said Daniels, ‘I don’t know how else to say it.'”
This came to fruition as the team failed to sign him or other top free agent sluggers to fill the club’s DH role. There are still some quality options that are still free agents, but the market is shrinking.
There are also some intriguing internal options (the team did just bring back Josh Hamilton…). But chances are that there are just too many proven options still looking for a home for Daniels not to fill this area of need.
Here are some of the likelier options to be the Rangers’ DH come opening day.