Texas Rangers: Comparing free agents Nick Castellanos, Marcell Ozuna

Who Am I Signing?

If I have the option and we feel that both players probably are getting deals that are close to value for their productivity, I think Castellanos is the best option for the Texas Rangers. I know it’s weird giving him the edge in defensive fit because Ozuna is a better defender, but the idea of Castellanos playing first is intriguing. He certainly possesses the bat to make it worthwhile if he can put up near average defensive numbers. The idea of shuffling around numerous players to make Ozuna fit just isn’t appealing even if only for one season.

As far as the bat, Castellanos to me has a significant edge and is trending up, not down. If Ozuna was an elite defender, the bat difference wouldn’t be as much of a concern, but considering he’s not much above average, the Rangers are signing a bat here more than a glove. Age-wise they’re almost identical but if the contract negotiations start to creep up in years or money, I’m more inclined to believe Castellanos will age better than Ozuna.

In the end, either player would be a massive upgrade to the Texas Rangers lineup and help make the club more competitive. If Texas can walk away with either one, which I think they will, we’re approaching very successful offseason territory and the club would still maintain flexibility for future significant moves.

Conclusion: Castellanos