Source: Texas Rangers expecting to trade Nomar Mazara at winter meetings
Three teams are attempting to acquire outfielder Nomar Mazara, and the Texas Rangers expect to complete a trade for him as soon as Wednesday.
Talks developed quickly Tuesday during the second day of the winter meetings, where the Rangers also met with the agent for catcher Robinson Chirinos.
Catching is more of a front-burner issue than it has been this off-season, but it remains behind adding third baseman Anthony Rendon and clearing the logjam of left-handed-hitting corner outfielders.
General manager Jon Daniels would not characterize where things stand with Mazara, but did say the Rangers have reached the point on a few deals where they all they have to do is decide one way or the other.
Rendon, though, is not one of those imminent deals. Mazara is, according to a baseball source.
The St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox are trying to land him.
“We explored trades last year, but we didn’t find what I felt was a good fit for us,” Daniels said. “There have been certain clubs dating back to previous periods, we kind of know where fits might be.”
Mazara’s four seasons rate as disappointing on the whole despite a 101-RBI season in 2017. He has never hit more than 20 home runs, and the past two seasons have been derailed by injuries.
But he’s only 24 and has two years of arbitration remaining. Those elements could help offset some of his flaws in a trade.
The Rangers also have Joey Gallo, Willie Calhoun and Shin-Soo Choo in the corners and at designated hitter. Gallo is all but untouchable, Daniels said, and Calhoun’s 2019 season makes the Rangers more comfortable in seeking a trade for Mazara.
The Rangers could accommodate all on the 2020 roster, especially with active rosters expanding from 25 to 26, but doing so would limit their roster flexibility.
“There are some factors involved, but is that one of the best uses of our roster?” Daniels said. “Probably not.”
Daniels also declined to discuss where things stand with Chirinos, who went to the World Series this season with the Houston Astros after the Rangers declined his club option last off-season.
The Rangers put an emphasis on defense by signing Jeff Mathis, who handled those duties well but arguably was the game’s worst offensive player. Daniels said the Rangers asked too much of Mathis and are seeking to reduce his role to get more out of him.
Jose Trevino showed more at the plate over the final two months and left a favorable impression with the team. At the very least he will compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster, and Daniels didn’t rule out the Rangers using the 26th roster spot for a third catcher.
“We’ve talked a little bit about how that’s going to play out,” Daniels said. “It’s possible.”
Rendon is also a possibility. His agent, Scott Boras, said teams are offering seven years for the third baseman, whose suitors also include the Philadelphia Phillies and both Los Angeles teams. The Washington Nationals are out after re-signing Stephen Strasburg on Monday and adding shortstop Didi Gregorius on Tuesday.
Boras has told the Rangers what he is seeking for Rendon, who could become the Angels’ fallback plan if they miss out on signing free-agent right-hander Gerrit Cole.
Elsewhere, Daniels said the Rangers are optimistic they will re-sign left-handed reliever Jeffrey Springs and right-handed relievers Matt Bush and Edinson Volquez on minor-league deals.
Bush could miss the season after having Tommy John surgery in July.
It appears Mazara won’t be one of their 2020 teammates.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 8:49 PM.
