MLB Free Agency: 5 teams who could sign Anthony Rendon

MLB Free Agency: 5 teams that could sign Anthony Rendon

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 12: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals celebrates against the Minnesota Twins on September 12, 2019 at the Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Nationals defeated the Twins 12-6. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images /

2. Texas Rangers

Rendon is from Texas (born in Houston, went to college at Rice), and the Rangers got virtually nothing (2.5 fWAR) from their infield across the board in 2019.

A report from Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News in September suggested third base could be an offseason priority for Texas after using six different players at the position this year. Rendon is the biggest fish in that pond, with Josh Donaldson and (possibly) Mike Moustakas behind him on the list of free agents. Pursuing the trade market might unearth some other options, but Rendon still stands out as the top available.

A six-year deal at $25 million per year for Rendon might be a little rich for the Rangers, with a roughly league-average projected 2020 payroll right now and other needs to address. So the prospect of having to offer a deal with an extra year and worth a little north of $30 million a year., on par with Washington’s reported offer, might take them out of the mix completely.

But among the teams who will be anywhere near the mix to sign Rendon, the home state card is one only the Rangers have. Maybe he’ll take a (relative) discount to come back home, with no state income tax as a further selling point.

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