Now that Josh Hamilton has signed with the Los Angeles
Angels, rival evaluators are speculating that the best remaining free agent fit
for the Texas Rangers is outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher, reports Buster
Olney of ESPN.
Rival evaluators speculating that best FA fit for TEX now is Swisher, with OF-1B flexibility; TEX would have to give up draft pick to sign.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 13, 2012
So far this offseason the Rangers have watched Hamilton and
fellow free agent slugger Mike Napoli sign elsewhere. They didn’t sign the
market’s top starting pitcher in Zack Greinke, and they don’t appear to be in
the running for right-hander Anibal Sanchez.
At this point the Rangers would seem to need offense and their
options on the free agent market are dwindling. Swisher is the top bat
remaining, while Michael Bourn and A.J. Pierzynski represent other potential targets.
Of course general manager Jon Daniels could get crafty, as
he’s known to do, and start up talks once again with the Arizona Diamondbacks
for their young and talented outfielder Justin Upton.
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