Possible Texas Rangers trade targets as winter meetings begin

Jun 24, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of the field during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Athletics defeated the Rangers 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Baseball’s annual version of a swingers’ party, the winter meetings, is underway in Nashville. This week, the top brass for every team comes together in one place making free-agent signings and impactful trades easier to accommodate.

The Texas Rangers are not expected to be huge players on top-tier free agents due to the fact that the team already holds numerous heafty contracts (Prince Fielder, Elvis Andrus, Shin-Soo Ch00 and Cole Hamels). So if the Rangers are to make a significant change to the roster, that change will likely to come via trade.

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The Rangers would love to rid themselves of at least one of the hefty contracts mentioned above (except Hamels) but it will be difficult to convince another team to take on the majority of the monetary responsibility of a $100 million-plus contract.

Therefore, Texas might be willing to dip into its farm system to upgrade its roster. Texas is rumored to be looking for an upgrade at catcher, a back of the rotation starting pitching and a right-handed hitter.

The following is a list of players to whom the Rangers have been linked. It should excite Texas fans if any of the following happen to play in Arlington next year.

Next: Jonathan Lucroy

Aug 30, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy (20) drives in a run with a base hit in the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Jonathan Lucroy – Catcher, Milwaukee Brewers

Texas seems most desperate to upgrade its catching position. Lucroy would be the most impactful but also most costly player Texas could add behind the plate.

In six seasons with the Brewers, the 29-year-old veteran has hit .282 with 66 homers and 337 RBI. In his best season, 2014, Lucroy hit .301 with 13 home runs, 69 RBI and an OPS of .838 earning him an All-Star Game selection.

In 2015, injuries limited Lucroy to 103 games but that is not keeping teams from lusting after the Brewers’ backstop. Under contract through only 2016 with a club option for 2017, if Texas feels it is in a position to make a surge for a World Series, Lucroy could be a prime target.

But he will be expensive. The Brewers are in rebuilding mode and it would take at least two top prospects to pry Lucroy away from Milwaukee.

Brewers’ general manager David Sterns spoke about his catcher on Monday.

“We are still open to discussing any number of players on our roster, but as I’ve said from the opening press conference, Jonathan Lucroy is a really good player,” Stearns said. “He provides a tremendous amount of value to the organization. He’s a reason why we can be better next year.” Link

Of course, Sterns could just be trying to inflate Lucroy’s value while not showing his hand. Keep an eye on Lucroy as the winter unfolds because he is one of the few valuable assets Milwaukee has and for a team trying to rebuild, it might make sense to deal him to a contender like Texas.

Next: Andrew Cashner

Sep 26, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Strasburg – Starting Pitcher, Washington Nationals

It almost seems unbelievable to hear that the Nationals are shopping the right hander who just three years ago was considered the game’s next pitching phenomenon.

Only 27, Strasburg will be a free agent following next season and he could command a huge contract. The fire-balling righty started only 23 games last season, the lowest total since he joined the Nationals rotation full time in 2012.

His 3.46 ERA in 2015 was his career-worst but is still nothing to be ashamed of. Thus, if Washington is inclined to trade Strasburg, it will require a rich package from Texas.

It has been reported that Washington covets some of the Rangers’ young middle infielders like Rougned Odor or Jurickson Profar. Texas is not going to part with Odor after his excellent second half of 2015 and Profar’s two-year injury hiatus makes it likely that Texas would have to sweeten the pot if it is to trade for Strasburg.

Another consideration to keep in mind is that the Nationals have already lost two starting pitchers, Doug Fister and Jordan Zimmerman to free agency this offseason likely driving up the asking price for Strasburg.

Next: Charlie Morton

Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Charlie Morton (50) delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Charlie Morton – Starting Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

There is a natural connection between the Rangers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The manager of each team used to be an assistant coach for the other organization meaning that the Pirates’ skipper Clint Hurdle (former Texas hitting coach) and the 2015 American League Manager of the Year, Texas’ Jeff Banister (former Pittsburgh bench coach) are familiar with the other club’s roster.

It is no secret that Hurdle has long desired to have Texas’ first baseman Mitch Moreland on his team. Now, Texas seems intent on dealing Moreland and Pittsburgh looks to be the most logical option.

Coming off a career season, Moreland will be a free agent next winter and Texas would like to balance its lineup by adding more right-handed power at first base.

Charlie Morton could be an interesting option for Texas to plug into its rotation. He is an extreme ground ball pitcher, something Texas general manager Jon Daniels covets.

But he is coming off of two years worth of sports hernia and hip injuries making him a bit of a risk. If Morton returns to form, he could be a risk worth taking.

He will make a reasonable $8 million in 2016 and has a club option for 2017 making him an interesting trade target should Texas decide to send Moreland to Pittsburgh.

Next: Texas Rangers 25 of 25: Chris Gimenez tendered

With each day of the winter meetings a new set of rumors will surface. While no one know for certain what is really happening in Nashville, it seems to be almost a certainty that Texas is primed to make a move.