Texas Rangers: 5 Offseason Likelihoods

Oct 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher

(35) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers won 9-2 and clinch the American League West division. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers Likelihood #2: No Big-Named Signings or Trades

Let’s face it, the Texas Rangers did their big free agent shopping this summer when they acquired Cole Hamels from the Philadelphia Phillies. Rick Gosselin spoke of this same thing recently and it’s a sentiment held by many close to the Rangers.

The Rangers payroll in among the highest in the league and with two hard-to-swallow contracts already on the books (Elvis Andrus and Shin-Soo Choo), the likelihood of adding an expensive player like Chris Davis, Justin Upton, or Yoenis Cespedes seem slim.

In a recent interview with DMN Sports Day, Jon Daniels spoke to Barry Horn, Evan Grant, and Kevin Sherrington about his plans for this winter and next season. He explained the differences between last season and this and how he’s looking to attack the to-do list via trade and/or free agency.

"“I don’t think that’s going to be a splashy, top-end-of-the-market type additions,” Jon Daniels said.  “We’ve made those additions…the core of the club that’s here. And we’ve also traded away a number of young players. Unless a deal really lines up, I think we’re more inclined to hold…we’ve kind of specified a group of guys at the upper levels that we want to hold on to.”"

Jon Daniels is usually pretty honest when he speaks bluntly about topics such as this. If we can take him at his word, which we usually can, The Texas Rangers are very unlikely to trade for another big-time player before or during the season.

The Rangers gave up a lot to add Hamels this summer and most of their remaining prospects are currently deemed, untouchable. That doesn’t mean something can’t happen but it would have to be a pretty good deal to make Daniels bite.

"“Unless something really made sense there, I think we’re inclined to fill in around key spots in the roster and hold onto our key guys.”"

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