3 free agents Texas Rangers could potentially sign without draft pick compensation

The league and the players seem to agree on little these days as the MLB lockout carries on. But in the few areas where they have compromised, one could be of significance to the Texas Rangers: the elimination of draft pick compensation for free agents.

In the prior CBA, it stipulated that teams who gave free agents a qualifying offer before leaving would receive draft pick compensation in return for the player’s departure. This new CBA, whenever it’s ratified, will do away with this practice.

That’s massive for teams like the Texas Rangers because it means the ability to spend freely without the risk of losing draft picks in the process. But while it remains to be seen whether the Rangers have to surrender draft picks for their pre-lockout expenditures, this rule change could drastically shake up Texas’ post-lockout strategy.

Here are three free agents that now become much more viable for the Texas Rangers without draft pick compensation.

3 free agents Texas Rangers could possibly sign without draft pick compensation

Nick Castellanos

The Rangers have long been linked to Nick Castellanos, but his price tag was reportedly out of most team’s ranges prior to the lockout. He was also slapped with a qualifying offer on his way out of Cincinnati this off-season, which combined with that high price tag, made him slightly less desirable.

But without that draft pick attached? Texas should jump back in the game.

Castellanos hit 34 homers in 2021, good for a .939 OPS and 136 OPS+, all elite marks. For a lineup that has improved greatly with the signings of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, Castellanos would definitely make them better. He doesn’t add much with the glove, though, and the Rangers do need bodies in the outfield.

Still, the previous interest in Castellanos and now the potential for him to sign without draft compensation makes him much more appealing.