Texas Rangers, Todd Frazier reach deal, but will they keep pursuing a third baseman?
The Texas Rangers took their best swing at a top-tier third baseman earlier this off-season, only to come up one year and millions short on Anthony Rendon.
They finally plugged a free agent into the position Sunday, albeit a few tiers below Rendon and others by agreeing to a one-year deal with Todd Frazier.
The Rangers will pay Frazier, a former All-Star, $5 million. He can play first base as well, so it’s not entirely clear if he’s their answer at third or will shuttle between third and first base.
Frazier is a right-handed hitter, which the Rangers need for the middle of their lineup, and he is coming off a rebound season with the New York Mets in which he hit 21 homers and posted a .772 OPS.
That’s slightly above league average for a player who hit 35 homers in 2015 and 40 in 2016 but has had only 2 of 9 seasons with an OPS above .800.
The Rangers had shown interest in Frazier since Rendon signed with the Los Angeles Angels for seven years at $245 million. The Rangers offered six years with an option for the native Texan.
A source said last week that the Rangers were not bidding for Josh Donaldson, the best remaining free agent, after his price tag soared above $100 million for four years. General manager Jon Daniels said that the Rangers had been prepared to go to spring training with rookie Nick Solak at third base.
Solak could see ample time at third if the Rangers choose to go to a strict platoon at first base. Frazier could share at-bats with Ronald Guzman, a left-handed hitter whose glove has been much better than his bat.
The Rangers still have interest in Nolan Arenado, the Colorado Rockies All-Star and perennial MVP candidate. He would come with a massive contract, nearly as much as the Angels are paying Rendon, and also cost the Rangers multiple top prospects and young players.
Rangers officials, including Daniels and key members of the medical staff, are in the Dominican Republic for the annual winter program there. The deal won’t be official until Frazier passes a physical late this week at the earliest.
The Rangers are also awaiting a physical for Robinson Chirinos before his one-year, $6.75 million deal becomes official.
