MLB Teams: Buyers in 2020
Texas Rangers
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In Chris Woodward’s first season, the Rangers finished 78-84, 29 games behind the division-leading Astros. That’s the bad news. The good news is Woodward improved them by 11 games over 2018.
In the Metroplex, there is a reason to believe the Rangers are sufficiently on the upswing to justify an aggressive winter.
Texas operated on a $118 million payroll in 2019, but that was an artificially low number designed to reflect the team’s perceived status as a non-contender. The franchise’s usual payroll neighborhood is closer to $145 million. Given about $93 million in existing commitments, Rangers GM Jon Daniels probably has the flexibility he would need to compete for at least one top-tier free agent.
The Rangers are a logical candidate to pursue any available third baseman – that could be Rendon, Moustakas or Donaldson. If they’re tired of Delino DeShields’ perennially miserable OPS+, they might prefer to chase an outfielder, especially one who can play center field. Depending on how options decisions fall out, that could be Adam Eaton. If they’re willing to gamble on outfield defense, Nick Castellanos – with his 50 or so doubles — is available.
And even assuming the Rangers want to keep Isiah Kiner-Falefa behind the plate, he can’t play all the time. Yasmani Grandal would be interesting.