Texas Rangers Rumors: Team Close To Signing Nicholas Castellanos, Eyes Move For Todd Frazier

The Texas Rangers missed out on Anthony Rendon this off-season and still need a power hitting right-handed bat and are now closing in on Nicholas Castellanos and eyeing Todd Frazier as two possible candidates.

Castellanos is on the radar of a few MLB teams including the Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, where he was traded this summer. The long-time Detroit Tiger hit very well after moving to the Windy City, smashing 16 home runs in 51 games while posting a .321 batting average.

That production may not last but it is enough to get the attention of the power-starved Rangers. MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reports that the two sides sat down for a formal meeting recently to discuss a possible future together. Morosi claims Castellanos came away feeling good about the meeting.

While Castellanos has played as a corner outfielder in recent seasons, he came up through the minors playing third base. With the athletic Joey Gallo currently serving in the outfield in Texas, the Rangers could allow Castellanos to return to the infield.

As per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, another possibility the organization is considering is an approach for the relatively inexpensive Todd Frazier to plug their gap at third. Frazier can, of course, also play first base, as can Gallo, so adding both Frazier and Castellanos is doable.

Other third base options would have to be procured via the trade market. The Colorado Rockies are listening to offers for Nolan Arenado but are not in any rush to move their star player who has seven years left on his contract. However, he does have an opt-out clause after 2021.

Another option is Kris Bryant of the Cubs. Chicago has put the player on the trade block this winter but teams are hesitant to make an approach until his on-going service time dispute is settled. Should Bryant win, he would become a free agent after next season while should the Cubs win, he would not become a free agent until after the 2021 campaign.

However, both players would require giving up at least some prospects or perhaps even MLB-ready pieces, especially when it comes to Arenado. That makes moves for one of or possibly both of Castellanos and Frazier a much more appealing option for the Texas Rangers.