Texas Rangers Rumors Rundown

San Diego, CA — The annual Winter Meetings began Monday which means the Texas Rangers rumor mill gained traction today, too. Here’s what you may have missed on day one.

Reports the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have suddenly made C.J. Wilson available started Sunday evening, but thank goodness Jeff Wilson ensured that the Texas Rangers were not interested in bringing him back to Arlington. But, hopefully Rangers fans didn’t really need that reassurance. Jeff Wilson also tweeted the Texas Rangers are interested in signing Scott Baker to a minor league deal, but Baker is seeking a guaranteed contract.

Joel Sherman states that the San Diego Padres would like to trade a starting pitcher for Jurickson Profar, but Jon Daniels doesn’t think right-handed pitchers Ian Kennedy, Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner is enough. I’m stumped on this one. I get that Profar has tremendous potential, but keep in mind he won’t even be cleared for Spring Training. He is more than likely not going to be ready by Opening Day (April 6), and Texas needs starting pitchers. Rougned Odor performed extremely well at second base and I don’t foresee him doing worse next season. So, please help me out here, what am I missing? Any of the three could be in 4th or 5th in the rotation, Cashner (5-7, 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP), Tyson Ross (13-14, 2.81 ERA, 1.21 WHIP), and Ian Kennedy (13-13, 3.63 ERA, 1.29 WHIP), take your pick.

Evan Grant of Dallas Morning News writes that the Texas Rangers has offered RHP Justin Masterson a contract, although he is still listening to other offers. Masterson played for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cleveland Indians in 2014 for a combined record of 7-9, 5.88 ERA in 25 game starts. Even though it’s unlikely Masterson will sign with Texas I am just glad to hear Jon Daniels is doing something that gives Texas Rangers fans something to discuss.

There was some chatter about the Texas Rangers and New York Mets trying to work out a deal that involved trading Profar, but the Mets are concerned about his injury and sounds like they have reconsidered and recoiled.

More from Texas Rangers Rumors

• Grading the Texas Rangers’ off-season through the 2022 Winter Meetings
• What Should the Rangers Do With Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith?
• Texas Rangers Rumors: Team interested in two veteran outfielders
• Mets fans must face the reality that Jacob deGrom could choose the Texas Rangers
• Could Jacob deGrom really play for the Texas Rangers in 2023?

In other Texas Rangers news:

Rangers claimed left-handed reliever Scott Barnes off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles. Barnes spent all of the 2014 season in AAA compiling a 3-2 record, 3.69 ERA, 35 strikeouts, 31.2 innings pitched, one game start, three game finishes in 25 games played.

Yu Darvish (elbow) began his throwing program today, 25 pitches at 50 feet, and will throw three times a week. This is music to my ears!

That’s the Rangers Rumors Rundown from the Winter Meetings Day 1. Winter Meetings end on Thursday and that just happens to be Rule 5 Draft day. I wonder what Jon Daniels has up his sleeve this year? What do you think about the first day of the Winter Meetings?