Rumors: Texas Rangers getting interest from Padres, White Sox in Nomar Mazara

The Texas Rangers are looking to trade current assets for top prospects, but Nomar Mazara is a surprising name entering trade rumors.

While the Texas Rangers have a number of veteran players garnering interest on the trade market, young outfielder Nomar Mazara is a player that seems to be generating some trade rumors. Mazara is in the midst of yet another frustrating season as he continues to struggle to live up to the lofty expectations placed on him as a prospect. Once considered a future star, Mazara has been a replacement level player for the Texas Rangers in his first 3 and a half seasons in big league ball and patience is running thin for management and fans alike.

Mazara’s name popped up as somebody Texas could look to trade this past winter but nothing ever materialized. Now, the 24-year old is the subject of trade interest yet again with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News giving a couple of specific teams interested in the outfielder. Grant noted that the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox have both scouted the outfielder.

The Padres interest is curious because of their overstocking with young, corner outfielders. It seems Mazara would add an unnecessary extra component to a mix that is already full of talent. Especially considering Mazara is limited to right field defensively and is even below average there. However, AJ Preller, current GM of the Padres was the Director of International Scouting for the Texas Rangers back in 2011 when Nomar was signed as an amateur from the Dominican Republic for what was at the time a record-setting $4.95 million bonus. If anybody still sees the potential in the outfielder, it would be the man who was in charge of scouting and inking him to that record deal.

The White Sox could have a hole in right field moving forward and might think Mazara fits with their timeline. Chicago is a team trying to emerge from a rebuild and has a talented young roster itching to compete. Mazara could give them a long-term option in right field and at DH bolstering their offense assuming he can take the next step as a player.

Mazara still has plenty of talent, but it’s still unknown whether he can unlock that potential that once made him a Top 15 prospect in all of baseball.