After missing on Shohei Ohtani, the Rangers are spreading a wide net in search of improvements. The latest word is that they have asked about two of the top potential trade assets on this winter’s market.
Texas is one of several teams to have inquired on the availability of Tigers righty Michael Fulmer, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter). Grant also discussed the possibility earlier, noting some of the many complications but also the fact that Detroit seems willing to entertain offers. The pre-arb righty is recovering from nerve transposition surgery but has an early-career track record that will support a massive asking price from the rebuilding Tigers.
And while the club has alternatives on hand to play the outfield, the Rangers have also put out feelers with the Marlins regarding Marcell Ozuna, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). Ozuna is projected by MLBTR to earn a hefty $10.9MM in his second-to-last trip through arbitration, but that’s still a bargain rate after his breakout 2017 campaign. For the cost-cutting Marlins, though, now may well be the time to move Ozuna — so long as the team can secure an appropriately significant return.
Of course, it’s important to bear in mind that the Rangers have also been connected to a wide variety of others in recent days. On the pitching side, that includes free agents Yu Darvish (link) and Alex Cobb (link) as well as possible trade candidates Gerrit Cole (link) and Matt Harvey (link). And Texas is reportedly among the many teams still in on free agent first baseman Carlos Santana (link).
The broader takeaway, then, seems to be that the Rangers are engaged in a broad effort to find a high-quality player or two to bolster their roster. With several areas susceptible of improvement, and also perhaps some flexibility with some existing pieces, it’s still possible to imagine the roster developing in any number of different ways.
Ozuna would be a pretty good fit in Texas. I question what we would need to send to get him.
Send Choo to the Marlins to get Ozuna. Perfect trade/swap and both teams comes away great in this deal.
lmao this guy thinks Choo is as valuable as Ozuna
It’s a fire sale: Miami will take Choo and like it.
Maybe you could throw in Fielder.
I think with Mazara, Gallo, and Choo (as well as Calhoun), focusing on pitching is the real answer. These guys are under control for long enough and pitching is a much bigger need than a guy you can only get for 2 years at around 25-30 million over those two years. Ozuna would obivously be an upgrade, but what do you have to give up? Sounds like you could get Lance Lynn for that and call it a day.
The marlins are slashing payroll. You think they want choo and his contract which will cost more than ozuna. Plus his defense is horrible.
he wasn’t saying that the Rangers would trade Mazara Gallo Choo and Calhoun. he was stating those were the OF options in Texas at the moment
I believe he meant to say that because the rangers already have those players, there is very little point to making an ozuna trade with miami.
Why? The outfield needs major upgrades. Choo is a dh now and Gallo is prob gonna play first. And yes Marza needs help. Calhoun isn’t a proven player. So getting Ozuna will be a major upgrade in the outfield plus he has the speed and the bat.
Then accept 10 boom stick hot dogs for Ozuna. Fire sale.
That would be way too much to give up for 2 years of control
He’s not saying trade those guys!
Rangers don’t have the talent – in minors – to deal with some of those established stars. Ozuna and Fulmer would clean out what little the Rangers have at the farm level.
They can Trade Profor or Choo and a low level prospect or a PTNL. Or cash. To get those players ( Ozuna and Fulmer)
Detroit is rebuilding, they have no interest in Choo
Texas and Miami would match up well for an Ozuna trade. Ozuna to Texas for Bubba Thompson and Cole Ragans or Hans Crouse? Maybe Straily can be added in if Texas is willing to throw in a prospect like Chris Seise.
I do agree it Profor or Choo to
NO. Stop trading away top prospects. Amazing Texas fans haven’t learned their lesson with the Dempster/Garza/Lucroy trades. JD is not that great at making deals. Always ends up overpaying for players that perform horribly in Texas.
Bleacher Report just posted they want Ozuna to play centerfield. Perfect fit for the Rangers
Please stop destroying our farm JD. You wouldn’t need so many pitchers or a CF if you hadn’t traded away Hendricks, Edwards, Brinson and Ortiz for guys that didn’t help us at all
Also let’s not forget letting Odubel Herrera go for free in the rule 5 draft
Amen!