Fansided

Breaking down the five most likely landing spots for Anthony Rendon in free agency

By Joshua Sadlock

LOS ANGELES, CA - October 9: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals doubles in the sixth inning of game five of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - October 9: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals doubles in the sixth inning of game five of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals hits a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 30: Anthony Rendon #6 of the Washington Nationals hits a solo home run against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning in Game Seven of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

3. Texas Rangers

The Rangers have made third baseman Josh Donaldson their primary target in the early stages of free agency, but they will have to fend off the Atlanta Braves, who have the inside track to keeping the All-Star. Donaldson was an easy fit in the Braves clubhouse and they won’t have to increase his salary much more than the $23 million they paid him for his efforts in 2019. Texas can make an effort to sign Donaldson, but the deck is stacked against them.

With their new ballpark set to open in 2020, the Rangers are preparing to embark on an aggressive offseason. In addition to Donaldson, they could also choose to pursue Madison Bumgarner or Zack Wheeler to bolster their starting rotation. The Texas staff was surprisingly strong at the top in 2019 thanks to Mike Minor and Lance Lynn and could be one top arm away from contending next year.

Rendon is a Texas native, albeit from Houston, not the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. A return home to the Lone Star State doesn’t seem to be a huge priority for the All-Star, but the location definitely isn’t working against the Rangers. Rendon gives off the vibe that he would be happy playing in any city in the league.

Texas needs to field a contender in 2020 to ensure they get the full attendance boost that comes with a new park. Landing Rendon is a long shot for the Rangers, but would give them the type of star power necessary to threaten the high-powered Houston Astros. Texas is in the second tier of landing spots for Rendon, but that could change if they miss out on Donaldson.

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