MLB Rumors: Rangers Frantically Pursuing All Top Shortstops Available In Free Agency

KEY POINTS

The Rangers are eyeing three shortstops that could technically end up playing together
Semien and Ray declined the $18.4 million qualifying offers from the Blue Jays
Semien’s ability to play second base makes him a flexible fit for the Rangers

The Texas Rangers enjoyed another year with a winning percentage below .400, but there are holes to be filled.

One position that they seem adamant about addressing is the shortstop position, and several names are on their list.

According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the Rangers are now interested in Marcus Semien.

This comes not long after Texas also met with representatives of two other shortstops–Corey Seager and Trevor Story.

Initially, it appears that the Rangers are looking at each of them individually and select only one.

But according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, there is a possibility that they may not be looking to sign just one of them but all three.

A key player in the Rangers’ targets is Semien. Although he is considered a shortstop, he spent the majority of last season at second base with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Hence, there is a big possibility that the 31-year-old could play with Seager and Story together.

Semien was third in the American League MVP voting after finishing with 45 home runs, 102 RBI, and a .873 OPS.

This performance was a tad lower compared to his 2019 season performance, where he also placed third in the MVP voting after batting .285 and posting a .892 OPS.

Regardless, there is no denying that signing Semien would be huge for the Rangers. He is arguably one of the top players in free agency, and adding him to the mix would surely boost the stock of Texas.

This ironically comes not long after Semien declined a one-year $18.4 million qualifying offer from the Blue Jays, MLB.com reported.

Furthermore, it could boost the chances of the Rangers to try and sign him.

Should the 2021 Golden Glove Awardee sign elsewhere, the consolation for Toronto is that they can receive Draft compensation.

This is largely due to the 2017-21 Collective Bargaining Agreement that expires on December 1.

Toronto would receive a compensatory pick coming after Competitive Balance Round B in the 2022 MLB Draft.

In the same report, Semien was not the only player who declined a one-year $18.4 million offer.

Robbie Ray also did the same and is expected to be another most sought-after player this winter.