Few teams have been worse off at the hot corner this season than the Rangers. Their third basemen rank 23rd in the majors in fWAR (8.6) and 24th in wRC+ (87). It’s fair to say life after Adrian Beltre hasn’t gone smoothly for Texas, which tried to replace the future Hall of Famer with free-agent stopgap Asdrubal Cabrera. But Cabrera performed so poorly over the season’s first few months that the Rangers released him in the first week of August. Logan Forsythe and Isiah Kiner-Falefa haven’t been productive, meanwhile, and utilityman Danny Santana and rookie Nick Solak – although extremely impressive during his very young career – have each started just a handful of games at the position.
Considering their issues at third this year, it seems the Rangers will prioritize the spot over the winter, as Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes. As you’d expect, manager Chris Woodward indicated Wednesday that he’d rather go forward with one player at third – not a cast of different faces.
Asked if third will be an important offseason focus for the Rangers, Woodward said: “It’s pretty big. I’m guessing we will be in pursuit of a third baseman. We’d like to not have rotating third basemen next year.”
If Texas enters the winter in a spending mood (Grant reports the team’s expected to be more aggressive in free agency), it could be among the clubs in on a pair of big-time free agents in Anthony Rendon and Josh Donaldson. Rendon, a 29-year-old superstar for the Nationals, figures to rake in the highest-paying contract of any position player during the offseason. Whether the Rangers will be up to the task of ponying up for him remains to be seen, but if they are, it could help their cause that Rendon is a native of Texas. The next deal for Donaldson, who will turn 34 in December, won’t come close to Rendon’s in total value, but the Brave is a standout in his own right who will no doubt earn a sizable guarantee on the open market.
After Rendon, Donaldson and perhaps Mike Moustakas (who has a mutual option with the Brewers for 2020), it doesn’t appear as if free agency will be teeming with third base solutions in the next couple months. The Rangers have spent big in the past, though, and if they’re committed to breaking a three-year playoff drought in 2020, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them reel in any of those three via the open market.
Isnt an fwar of 8.6 really really good?
is 23rd really good?
Maybe for 1 player
They can have Donaldson.
The Braves should be all over Rendon. Spend money. You have other core positions locked up. Fotify the offense for years and go for cheaper options for pitching. The Braves don’t want to spend on pitching even though their pitchers at the farm are average or bad.
100 win team with average or bad…yes, please. Wish allourgodshaveabandonus can choose better names or jump.
They have not won 100 games yet. Besides, I’m referring to the pitching in the minors. That being said, opponents would love to play the Braves to see Teheran and Faulty.
Rendon is not going to a division rival. He learned from the Harper situation. He’s going to get paid plenty outside the division– if he leaves at all
I think Rendon is going to whichever team pays him the most.
no bro. he learned from Harper. intra-division teams are cursed. Take less money. Move farther away. Keys too success. pay attention
I’d venture to say you know absolutely nothing about his thought process.
Is that like when Boggs, Clemens, Damon and Ellsbury went to a division rival and never won anything? Maybe you mean Josh Reddick? Jason Werth?
Thanks for your keen input, Mr Super Agent.
Boggs won it all in 96
The Braves have a top 5 system and if they sign Rendon they can flip Riley for pitching if needed. Teheran may not be a sexy pick but he is relatively cheap
Moose is probably the cheapest and best value. But I would like them to grab Rendon.
Not getting vladddy. He is the best. Doubt they get bettter then this. Come on and try lol. mvp.
Ate you stroking out?
*Are
Maybe I’m having a stroke
What,?
cheslor cuthbert. cheap.
If Strasburg leaves, I can’t see the Nats not keeping Rendon. They’ll have enough in the bank to make the best offer.
And really, the Rangers are more than a Rendon (or a Donaldson, really) away from contending. Would he help? Of course. Would he be a high-lighter for the new park? Yep.
Will it close the chasm between Texas and Houston/Oakland? Nope…….
Think they can if they maybe for it. No money . Hope spend to get ring.s.
Oakland is always a year away from being in the cellar, they need to catch lightning in a bottle in order to contend. Astros are really the only threat in the division.
Franco and Hernandez are 100% available.
For a price.
Don’t understand the love affair writers have with Josh “ an opportunity to get hurt” Donaldson. I would rather have Moose any day. I know he is hurt now but usually is healthy.
125 games of rain makker is betwr then 145 games of mouse. Sorry man. Facts are facts. .
Yes, I too would choose an ok 3rd/2nd baseman over a player who was the 2nd most valuable player over the last 3-4 (don’t remember the number) years.
Because Donaldson is an elite player that only has 1 season under 5 WAR. If Moose is the best player on your team, you’re in some trouble
Just imagine there is a slight chance rangers could get both Rendon and Cole this offseason, they have maybe close to 66 million they can spend and still be in a good position
Do not see them coughing up dough for them. What happens for injury to Cole you need to think about that befour giving him a 259 mil.
That’s why they have insurance
they could prioritize 2nd base.
Nick Solak is a player. The glove isn’t good but he should be the 2B next year over Odor. Really no reason why Odor is even playing. They should make him a utility man or release him. I don’t understand what they’re waiting on. He’s been awful at the plate for quite some time
Exactly!
They could probably get Jung Ho Kang for a cheap price. lol
I’ll play third, I don’t even care anymore.
Hopefully the Phils could get a lottery pick for Franco….? He really has “change of scenery” written all over him. I never bought into the hype, but felt he had the ability to be a #6 hitter on a playoff periphery team; decent D, 25 hr decent bb/k rates and stays healthy. The team really has soured on him, hopefully he gets a 2nd chance and listens to a better hitting coach.
He will be non tendered. Nobody is trading even a bucket of balls for franco…
I think Franco would rake in Texas which could be good for him
Donaldson is a perfect stopgap for Texas until Jung is ready.
We can trade you Kris Bryant for the right package.
They can probably get Moran from the Pirates. They don’t seem to have a lot of faith in him and would most likely trade for International cash.
With KC being at least 2 seasons away from respectability, maybe the Rangers & Royals can come to terms on a deal for Texas native Hunter Dozier? Tex has some young outfielders starting with L.Taveras who could be part of a package that could benefit both teams moving forward…