Rangers should consider these four non-tendered players

Wednesday was non-tender day across baseball, with many clubs electing to cut ties with players on their roster bubbles. We list four new free agents who might make sense for the Rangers to pursue.

The non-tender deadline in baseball is an offseason tradition like any other.

In the week leading up to the Winter Meetings, teams use the non-tender deadline set in early December to reduce the number of players on their active roster in order to create space for potential free agent and trade acquisitions.

The Texas Rangers declined to tender contracts to three of their own players on Wednesday: UTIL Danny Santana, OF Scott Heineman and RHP Jimmy Herget.

While it’s possible that Texas could opt to re-sign any of these players to minor league deals at a later point (especially Heineman and Herget, who both have some upside), it’s more likely that the team will now focus on the expanded free agent player pool that comes as a result of Wednesday’s league wide cut down.

With four roster spots available for the Rangers on the 40-man, and price tags for non-tendered players aligning more with the team’s budgetary restrictions, here are four newly minted free agents that Jon Daniels and company should consider signing.

David Dahl

OF David Dahl spent the first four seasons of his career with the Colorado Rockies after being drafted by the team as a first round selection in 2012.

The former Alabama high school baseball star made his major league debut for Colorado in 2016, notching an .859 OPS and 113 OPS+ over 237 plate appearances. He also hit seven home runs in 63 games played that season.

Dahl sat out 2017 due to injury, but followed up his rookie campaign with back to back good seasons in 2018 and 2019. He helped the Rockies reach the playoffs in 2018 and made an All-Star team in 2019.

For most of his tenure in Colorado, Dahl was a productive member of the lineup while providing a solid glove in the outfield when healthy. He regressed significantly in 2020, however, finishing with a .470 OPS and a horrendous 19 OPS+ over 24 games and 99 total plate appearances.

Dahl suffered a left-shoulder injury late last season, which explains a lot of his 2020 regression, but should be ready to go in 2021.

At just 27 years old, the former first round pick will definitely receive another chance in the big leagues given his pedigree and on-field production when healthy.

Given that Dahl was set to enter his first year of arbitration in 2021, he’ll be relatively cost-effective for a Rangers team that is looking to trim down payroll.

The talent factor is also there and with the Rangers mostly lacking quality organizational depth in the outfield, this 27 year old could be a nice high-upside, low-cost add for Texas in 2021.

Hansel Robles

Rangers fans might be more familiar with this name.

Right-handed reliever Hansel Robles served as the closer for the Los Angeles Angels in 2019, racking up 23 saves and a 2.88 FIP over 72.2 innings pitched that season.

Robles arrived in Anaheim after a 2018 mid-season trade with the New York Mets, in which a change of scenery proved to make a world of difference for the veteran right-hander. He finished 2018 with a 3.22 FIP (2.97 ERA) in 36.1 innings pitched out of the Angels bullpen.

Robles really struggled in 2020, however, posting an alarmingly high 10.26 ERA over 16.2 innings pitched for the Angels. His 5.89 FIP suggests he wasn’t as bad as that ugly ERA indicates, but it’s still unflattering nonetheless.

Normally, teams like the Rangers with no plans to immediately contend would stay away from signing relievers in the off-season, as they have no real need for them.

Still, Robles could stand to benefit from a second change of scenery. His stuff and pure talent is evident. He’d also come cheap, fitting into the Rangers’ budgetary restrictions. Lastly (and probably most importantly) if Robles regains anything close to his 2018 and 2019 form, the Rangers could deal him mid-season in 2021 for young talent as they embark on a rebuild.

Brian Goodwin

This name may also be familiar to Rangers fans.

Brian Goodwin spent 2019 and half of 2020 in Anaheim playing center field for the Angels. During his tenure at The Big A, Goodwin was also an above average hitter, posting a 109 OPS+ and .795 OPS across 567 combined plate appearances.

Goodwin was traded to the Cincinnati Reds halfway through last season, where his overall production dropped off despite playing home games at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

Goodwin still finished 2020 with a .715 combined OPS and 92 OPS+. Not great, but not too shabby either.

As we mentioned with David Dahl, the Rangers’ overall outfield depth is underwhelming and could stand to use some reinforcements.

Though Texas used Leody Taveras in centerfield for most of 2020, his production was subpar. However, Taveras does have an interesting amount of ceiling potential, enough to consider him a possible long-term option at the position.

Bringing in Brian Goodwin, an experienced option who will be entering his second year of arbitration in 2020 (and therefore cost-effective), would not only boost the Rangers’ lineup in 2021 but would also provide a mentor to the developing Taveras. Additionally, should Goodwin perform well next season, the Rangers would be able to flip him for assets just as the Angels did at last season’s trade deadline.