Texas Rangers Showing Interest in Outfielder Christian Yelich

Many of the moves this off-season have been to bolster the pitching situation in Arlington. However, the Texas Rangers are showing interest in Miami Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich.

According to Nick Cafardo, the Texas Rangers are showing interest in Miami Marlins young outfielder Christian Yelich. He’s not the only outfielder on their radar, but he might be the best option.

The Marlins are cutting costs and have been trading many of their high-priced players this off-season. However, trading Yelich isn’t a must for the organization as he cost the Marlins just $7 million in 2018.

The 26-year-old outfielder is going to come at a high price, especially since he’s under contract through the 2021 season. He’s a career .290 hitter with 59 home runs and 293 RBIs in five seasons in Miami.

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Last season, Yelich hit .282 with 18 home runs and 81 RBIs in 156 games with the Marlins. He finished with a 3.9 WAR, which is the second best of his career. He’s an excellent player to have at the top of your lineup.

Yelich has voiced his opinion about being traded after Miami traded most of their star talent away this off-season. The organization is headed towards a rebuild, but might want to keep Yelich to be part of it. Unless the offer blows them away, it sounds like Miami wants to hang onto Yelich to begin the 2018 season.

The Rangers would likely have to trade Leody Taveras their top prospect. Then package two or three other highly regarded prospects as well for Yelich. It’s a hefty price to pay and honestly the Rangers shouldn’t do it.

Heading into 2018 the Rangers have a promising young core in the outfield. Yelich is a fantastic player, but giving up top prospects for talent hasn’t worked out for Texas lately. Possibly acquire or sign a veteran outfielder on a short-term deal instead of losing the farm system for Yelich.