Rumors: Texas Rangers still in mix for Seiya Suzuki or Kyle Schwarber?

After the Texas Rangers upgraded their middle infield just before the lockout with big contracts extended to Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, could the franchise now be looking to bring on another big name in the outfield once the lockout ends?

Are the Texas Rangers interested in upgrading the outfield and lineup by adding Kyle Schwarber or Seiya Suzuki?

According to an article from Evan Grant in The Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers would be potentially willing to look at adding Suzuki or Schwarber should the price point for either outfielder fit into a budget that has ballooned with the recent additions of Seager ($325 million over 10 years) and Semien ($175 million over seven years). The Rangers also added pitcher Jon Gray and outfielder Kole Calhoun before the lockout commenced as well, adding roughly another $61 million to the payroll.

With all of that as a backdrop, it’s estimated that Suzuki could fetch a five-year contract worth $55 million (plus posting fees) while Schwarber could earn $70 million over four years. According to Grant, those numbers could still be within what has become a Texas-sized budget.

"“I think with Seager/Semien on board, the price point the Rangers are looking at for an outfielder has perhaps dropped a notch,” Grant wrote. “It probably takes them out of talks for Nicholas Castellanos, Michael Conforto and probably Kris Bryant. But Suzuki, who will probably cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $65-70 million (including posting fee) for five years, or Kyle Schwarber, who might be a shorter-term deal, might be potential fits.”"

Grant goes on to mention that Suzuki and Schwarber each bring a different element potentially to the Rangers, with Suzuki being a right-handed bat who can also play outfield at an above-average level while the left-handed-hitting Schwarber might slot in more at designated hitter for Texas than in the outfield, but could still bring power in both scenarios.

Texas may have to battle the Boston Red Sox for both Schwarber and Suzuki as the team has been linked to both players. Reports also have said that, along with the Red Sox, the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays are among Suzuki’s strongest pursuers. Schwarber, meanwhile, could have upgraded interest from National League teams as well should the designated hitter for the NL be included in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Rangers are also reportedly still a possibility for starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw as well, meaning the franchise may not be done spending at a number of positions as well as have a number of options of where to put its money as it continues to rebuild its roster.