Texas Rangers considering alternate option at third base
The holiday break is over for the Texas Rangers, who were part of a relatively quiet stretch across baseball the past few weeks.
There was noise, of course, some of it directly or tangentially related to the Rangers.
There was noise Monday, but more on that later.
The Rangers still need a third baseman, and Josh Donaldson is the top available free agent. The Colorado Rockies are still reportedly weighing whether to trade Nolan Arenado, who has been linked to the Rangers.
Other third-base rumors swirled around (Todd Frazier) with some degree of merit.
It’s clear that third base remains one of the Rangers’ priorities this off-season.
But the Rangers aren’t the only team in need of a third baseman, which is forcing them to consider the possibility of going to spring training next month without adding someone from outside to play third.
Keep in mind, though, that roster construction now stretches into spring training for many MLB teams. The Rangers could evaluate their internal options, determine if third base is as urgent a need as they have portrayed it to be, and attempt to add someone.
General manager Jon Daniels, fresh off a family vacation, said on Monday that all options are on the table at third. The Rangers aren’t done with their roster, and might not be until March. “There’s still work to be done,” he said. “Primarily on the position player side.”
The Rangers are holding scouting meetings this week in Arlington. They continue to look at catchers, first basemen and bullpen help, though any relievers added might come on minor-league deals.
Center field is not a priority, Daniels said, which means Danny Santana is the clear front-runner for the position. Adding a right-handed power-hitting outfielder doesn’t seem likely because there isn’t a fit.
A club official rebuked a Money report that the Rangers met with free-agent outfielder Nick Castellanos and are a finalist to sign him. According to the official, the Rangers have not met with him, have not made him an offer and are not going to move Joey Gallo from right field to first base to accommodate Castellanos.
There are also no plans to play Gallo in center field regularly.
The Rangers have some interest in Castellanos and Frazier, both right-handed power hitters who can play first base. Though Castellanos came up as a third baseman, the Rangers don’t view him as a possibility there.
Frazier is a possibility for third. The Rangers have discussed Frazier at third and Castellanos at first.
Another Nick, Nick Solak, is the primary internal candidate to play third. He played there late last season, with mixed reviews. The Rangers like his right-handed bat, but are concerned about his inexperience at third.
One off-season development that might make them more comfortable with Solak at third is the improvements to the starting rotation. The Rangers traded for two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and added fellow right-handers Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles to join holdovers Lance Lynn and Mike Minor.
Minor is the only left-hander, and more righties usually make things easier on the left side of an infield.
But anyone other than Anthony Rendon, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels, has left the Rangers scrambling at third.
“It’s not Plan A,” Daniels said.
