These two National League teams reportedly interested in Texas Rangers’ Nomar Mazara
The Texas Rangers have one too many left-handed-hitting corner outfielders, just as they did a year ago. The difference now is they appear more motivated to trade one of them.
Nomar Mazara looks to be the one who will be moved.
Once a top prospect and the highest-paid international free agent, Mazara has become expendable following four disappointing years to begin his MLB career after debuting in 2016 to great fanfare and high expectations.
The Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals reportedly have contacted the Rangers about a trade for Mazara, who has two seasons of arbitration remaining. The Chicago White Sox are also interested.
The Rangers have openly talked at these winter meetings about the need to clear their logjam.
“It’s too many guys,” manager Chris Woodward said. “That’s, obviously, an issue. Some of those guys are priority guys. You want to get them consistent at-bats.
“I’m not saying somebody’s got to go, but it does put us in a tough spot if we go into spraining training with all those guys. I’m going to have to have tough conversations with guys that aren’t going to get to play as much as they would like to. Ideally I wouldn’t like that, but if that’s the case, then that’s what I’ll have to do.”
Joey Gallo, Shin-Soo Choo and Willie Calhoun are the other three in the outfield corners.
Choo is entering the final year of his contract and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training after off-season surgery on his left/throwing shoulder. The Rangers would have to each much of the $21 million Choo is owed, and they would have to convince him to waive his full no-trade rights as a 10-and-5 player.
Calhoun showed improvements defensively in left field after adhering to a program that allowed him to shed 25 pounds. He still has work to do in the outfield, but he impressed last season with his bat.
Gallo was an All-Star last season before missing the final nine weeks with a broken right hamate bone. He is not on the trading block.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 5:29 PM.
