Texas Rangers Free Agent Debate: Nick Castellanos vs. Seiya Suzuki

TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 15: Outfielder Seiya Suzuki #51 of Japan slides safely into the home plate to score a run by a RBi single of Catcher Seiji Kobayashi #22 in the bottom of the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool E Game Six between Israel and Japan at the Tokyo Dome on March 15, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - MARCH 15: Outfielder Seiya Suzuki #51 of Japan slides safely into the home plate to score a run by a RBi single of Catcher Seiji Kobayashi #22 in the bottom of the sixth inning during the World Baseball Classic Pool E Game Six between Israel and Japan at the Tokyo Dome on March 15, 2017 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
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The Texas Rangers need another outfield bat. In this free agent debate, we discuss who should come to Arlington, Nick Castellanos or Seiya Suzuki.

Welcome to the first installment of the lockout Free Agent Debate. The Texas Rangers, to everyone’s surprise, have spent big this offseason. They’ve addressed their most glaring need up the middle, leaving only two holes left:  an outfield bat and another starting pitcher.

With the recent loss of “right-handed Joey Gallo” D.J. Peters, the Rangers are relying on Adolis Garcia, Kole Calhoun and one of Eli White, Leody Taveras or Willie Calhoun in left field.

Kole Calhoun, to me, is a bench or platoon player, and I’m not fully relying on Adolis Garcia’s rookie emergence last season, albeit he was a Gold Glove caliber defender.

Enter Nicholas Castellanos and Seiya Suzuki into the Texas Rangers offseason plans.

Both are very talented, right-handed hitters that would give the Rangers offense at least another 25-30 homeruns per season. But of the two, who is the better fit? Let’s break them down.

Sep 27, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos (2) runs to first after hitting a three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2021; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder Nick Castellanos (2) runs to first after hitting a three-run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers Free Agent Debate: Nick Castellanos

One of the best hitters in all of baseball since 2018, Castellanos is the perfect middle of the order hitter for any big league club. He hits for average, power and draws his fair share of walks to boot.

The 2021 All-Star and Silver Slugger finished last season with a .309 average, .576 slugging percentage and .939 OPS. He hit 34 long balls and drove in 100 runners last season, that’s good for 6th best and 4th best among major league outfielders last season.

Castellanos stays on the field, too. He has played at least 150 games in five out of his nine big league seasons. He only played in 11 games his rookie season in 2013 and 50 games in the COVID-ridden 2020 season.

Not much of a fielder, Castellanos could bounce around the diamond for the Rangers. He has. played over 500 games each in the outfield and at third base and could probably play first in a pinch.

Still only 29-years old (turns 30 in March), there is a lot to like with the former Red, Cub and Tiger, but sources around the league say he is seeking a seven or eight year pact.

No doubt deserving of a long term contract, I’m not sure the Texas Rangers are willing to hand out another deal of that length this offseason. However, I also wasn’t expecting them to hand out 31-year old Marcus Semien a seven year deal, either.

Although, if Texas were to pursue Castellanos post-lockout, a 1-2-3 of Semien, Seager and Castellanos would be incredibly nasty and arguably the best top-of-the-order offense in baseball.

As far as competition goes for his services, the Miami Marlins have been linked to Castellanos, as well as the Phillies. I can see the Giants, Mariners, Reds, Cubs and Astros in for Castellanos, as well. All of those teams are looking to boost their right-handed thump, especially Houston and San Francisco if they lose Carlos Correa and Kris Bryant, respectively.

Castellanos would be a great fit in Arlington, but this wouldn’t be a debate if we didn’t have an opposing side.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Seiya Suzuki #51 of Team Japan hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against Team United States during the knockout stage of men’s baseball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 02, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)
YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Seiya Suzuki #51 of Team Japan hits a solo home run in the fifth inning against Team United States during the knockout stage of men’s baseball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on August 02, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers Free Agent Debate: Seiya Suzuki

For most fans, the name Seiya Suzuki doesn’t ring a bell. However, the 27-year old Arakawa, Japan native could be on his way to the states relatively quickly after the lockout ends and the Texas Rangers want to be at the top of his list.

Baseball Reference has Suzuki listed as a third baseman, shortstop and outfielder, so he presents some versatility to whatever MLB team acquires his services. However, for the Rangers, he is an immediate answer to the gap in left field. A void that has needed filling since the David Murphy days of the early 2010’s.

Let’s dive into the numbers, first. Then, as Mark DeRosa says, we’ll lock in on the financials.

Seiya Suzuki is a career .309 hitter with a .943 OPS, tacking on 189 homeruns, 621 RBIs and 102 stolen bases. A very well-rounded outfielder that is more athletic and more bat-to-ball than his statesman Yoshi Tsutsugo, who came and flopped in the states just three years ago.

Looking specifically at 2021, Suzuki hit .317/.433/.636 with an OPS of 1.069. He played in 134 out of 146 games, hitting 38 homers, 26 doubles and drove in 88 runners. He was also 9-13 on stolen base attempts. Defensively, he had a .989 fielding percentage with 13 assists, 4 double plays and only committed 3 errors in 270 chances.

If the numbers aren’t enough, let’s take a look at some of his NPB accolades. He’s a three time Central League Gold Glove winner in the outfield in 2016-2017 and 2019. He was awarded the Best Nine Award, awarded to the best player at their respective position across the Central and Pacific leagues, four times by Japanese journalists. He’s a five time NPB All-Star, including 2021.  In 2019, he took home the Central League batting title and OBP title, as well as winning two gold medals in the Olympics for team Japan in 2020 and the World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 in 2019.

Plus, this dude’s swing is smooth. Check this.

Now, what would it take to get this guy to Arlington. Well, MLB Trade Rumors has him projected at five years, $55 million going to the Rangers, but would end up being close to $65 million because of the posting fee. To me, that is extremely reasonable for a guy that has posted up in Japan and is in the midst of his prime. Texas is also connected to this market fairly often, given signings like Yu Darvish and Kohei Arihara in the past.

The only concern with Japanese players is how they will adjust to big league pitching, guys who consistently throw 96-99mph and have elite breaking stuff. As I mentioned with Tsutsugo, it didn’t work out, but Suzuki has that it factor. He’s very patient and has a short, compact swing that should play in the big leagues. At best, in my opinion, he’s got Hideki Matsui potential.

Now that we’ve got some player profiles built, let’s debate.

Aug 2, 2021; Yokohama, Japan; Team Japan outfielder Seiya Suzuki (51) celebrates after scoring a run against USA in a second round baseball game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mandi Wright-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2021; Yokohama, Japan; Team Japan outfielder Seiya Suzuki (51) celebrates after scoring a run against USA in a second round baseball game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mandi Wright-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas Rangers Free Agent Debate: Decisions, Decisions

Do either of these guys have a leg up on the other? Maybe not. However, if we’re playing the role of the Rangers front office, I’m taking Seiya Suzuki.

Castellanos, while proven at the game’s highest level, will command a lot more money and years than Suzuki that the Texas Rangers may not be willing to dish out this offseason.

Suzuki is younger, more athletic and has expressed an interest in joining the Rangers.

However, his inexperience against major leaguers can be concerning and could be a bust. That’s where Castellanos’ presence in the young Texas lineup would play a huge role. He’s played with some of the game’s best hitters in Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez, and could bring that Hall of Fame experience to the Lone Star State.

No decisions will be made for a while as Major League Baseball and the Player’s Association figure out the new CBA, giving the Texas Rangers ample time to weigh all of their options.

Who would you choose? Let us know @NolanWritinFS and @PTylerHenderson on Twitter.

Next. Grading the Rangers' pre-lockout free agency moves. dark

Stay tuned, because the next installment will feature two prominent southpaws.

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