The Texas Rangers are reportedly eyeing multiple trades for starting pitching as the MLB trade rumors fly at this year’s Winter Meetings.
The Rangers might actually have a different agenda than many big league teams this winter: they are trying to trade for starting pitching.
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Usually every team is trying to find pitching this time of year. Usually every team is trying to acquire pitching and nobody is willing to give it up. The tide has shifted slightly this year, however, as it is the position player market that is depressed.
Teams are looking for bats, especially guys who bring right-handed power. In the meantime, they are elite arms to be had, whether in free agency or through trades. In that context, the Rangers are one of the teams that actually want to trade for starting pitching. That interest starts with the Washington Nationals.
A deal with the Nats very well might have Texas shooting for the stars with Jordan Zimmermann or Doug Fister.
Rangers have asked Nationals about Jordan Zimmerman but not Doug Fister. Nats not inclined to deal Zimmerman but will talk about Fister
— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) December 9, 2014
Source: The Rangers have expressed strong interest in the Nats starters. Nats asked for 2B Rougned Odor. Rangers said they won't trade him.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) December 9, 2014
In terms of lesser and perhaps more attainable starting pitching targets, the Rangers are also reportedly trying to engage the Arizona Diamondbacks about a possible trade. According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News:
"According to a major league source, the Rangers have engaged in talks with Arizona about acquiring a starting pitcher. The most logical target would be 28-year-old LHP Wade Miley, who put together his second consecutive 200-inning season in 2014."
Coming off a disappointing 2014 season in which they were irrelevant, it’s not surprising that the Rangers are ready to get aggressive again this winter to try and rebuild a contender. That will start on the mound, and could very well come in the form of a trade for a starting pitcher.
Stay tuned to FanSided for all the latest news and grumblings during the Winter Meetings and throughout the off-season.
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