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Texas Rangers: Which Free Agent Third Baseman is the Best Fit?

By Kenneth Nash

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals waits on deck against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 30: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals waits on deck against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals throws out Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of Game 3 of the NLDS at Nationals Park on October 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 06: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals throws out Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of Game 3 of the NLDS at Nationals Park on October 06, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Anthony Rendon

If the Rangers are shopping in the high-end section. Rendon is the most expensive item in that section. The Houston-native is coming off a fantastic season with the Nationals that resulted in a World Series ring. He was a finalist for the NL MVP award and was an elite hitter all year. Rendon finished 2019 with a .319 average, 1.010 OPS and 34 homers. He posted a 7.0 fWAR which would’ve topped the 2019 Rangers by a fair margin.

At just 29-years old come 2020 Opening Day, it’s safe to say that we won’t see a large drop in production from Rendon anytime soon. He’s the premium position player out there and represents the upper tier of free agents alongside Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. That premium also means he come with a high price tag. FanGraphs has Rendon’s predicted contract at seven years, and around $210 million. That’s a hefty price tag but it would give the Rangers an elite player for years to come.

Texas doesn’t seem too inclined to hand out deals beyond five years which could turn them off. Plus, the Rangers have multiple third base prospects who look on the track to be Major League ready in the next couple of years including their two first round picks from this past draft, Josh Jung and Davis Wendzel. Will the Rangers decide to not block their top prospect in Jung at third or will they opt for the already proven commodity in Rendon?

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