Report: Texas Rangers, Todd Frazier agree to one-year contract

The Texas Rangers have reportedly agreed a one-year contract with veteran free agent, Todd Frazier, the latest move in a busy offseason.

In a move that seemed to be gaining some steam over the past few days, the Texas Rangers have reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with free agent infielder, Todd Frazier. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News was the first to break the deal in a sourced tweet. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was the first with the full details of the contract reporting that it is a one-year deal worth $3.5 million in 2020. There is a club option for 2021 worth $5.5 million or a buyout of $1.5 million meaning it’s $5 million guaranteed for the 33-year old.

Frazier links started to pop up last week and seemed a logical insurance move for the Rangers while they maintain their pursuit of higher profile target. He spent the 2019 season with the New York Mets and had another solid year as he continues to build on a very consistent career. He hit .251 last season with a .772 OPS and a 1.9 fWAR. He hit 21 homers from the right side while driving in 67 runs in 133 games.

Texas has made known that they wanted to bolster their lineup with right-handed hitting contributors after the lineup had grown ever lefty heavy in recent years. Frazier won’t end that mission but he is a big boost especially compared to production from last season. Defensively, he’ll be a platoon option at both third and first base, two positions the Rangers lack a convincing long-term option.

He won’t be winning any Gold Gloves in Arlington but he has the potential to remain average production wise at the hot corner. He played just under 1000 innings for the Mets at third in 2019 posted a -1.1 UZR/150. While no, that isn’t an eye catching number, the Rangers current everyday options on their roster were Danny Santana and Nick Solak, both who likely would be worse than that defensively in an everyday role. Frazier also has over 750 career innings at first base and although his numbers aren’t fantastic there, he should be able to hold his own as he moves into the latter part of his career.

Frazier’s signing won’t preclude the Rangers from making any other notable moves necessarily. They still likely remain in the sweepstakes to trade for Colorado’s Nolan Arenado, although that still seems like a long shot. They’ll also still continue their pursuit of either Nick Castellanos or Marcell Ozuna to add a true impact player to the roster this offseason. Frazier at this point will likely split time with Nick Solak at third base allowing the young hitter to develop at a position that he’s not necessarily a natural at. It will be interesting to see where the Rangers go from here but inking Frazier is a low-risk move that adds insurance to makes sure they don’t get hung out to dry at third base in 2020.