Texas Rangers Rumors: Team To Sign Either Marcell Ozuna Or Nicholas Castellanos

The Texas Rangers have already landed Corey Kluber in the trade market but are trying to add a right-handed bat to give their outfield a hand with Marcell Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos both still available via free agency.

AL West title hopefuls Texas Rangers haven’t made a ton of moves this winter. They were linked with a number of high-profile players such as Anthony Rendon and now Josh Donaldson, but couldn’t get the former and are not favorites to land the latter.

However, they did find a willing trade partner in the Cleveland Indians and got Corey Kluber in exchange for reliever Emmanuel Clase and veteran outfielder Delino Deshields while also sending Nomar Mazara to the Chicago White Sox for 23-year-old Steele Walker.

This leaves three recognized outfielders at the major league level for the Rangers; Joey Gallo, Willie Calhoun and Danny Santana. On top of that, Texas’ lineup is lefty-heavy so the franchise could use some right-handed pop to solidify their divisional title challenge.

Enter Marcell Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos, two players who fit the bill perfectly and are still unsigned free agents. As per Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, the Rangers are considering a move for one or the other. Ozuna had his break-out season in 2017 when he smashed 37 home runs while driving in 124 runs en route to a .312 batting average.

The former St. Louis Cardinal slowed somewhat since then, hitting 52 home runs and registering a .263 batting average in the two ensuing seasons. This regression is somewhat worrisome but there are extenuating circumstances that may convince the Rangers to make a move.

First, Mazara slashed just a .261 batting average in four seasons with Texas. Second, the Ballpark at Arlington is very hitter-friendly and Ozuna may see his numbers rise slightly in such an environment.

Nicholas Castellanos is another interesting possibility. He had been heavily linked with a move to the Chicago White Sox in recent weeks to platoon Mazara of all players in right field while also deputizing at designated hitter.

However, the ChiSox seemed to have solved their DH problem recently by agreeing to terms with veteran power hitter Edwin Encarnacion, making the potential acquisition of Castellanos somewhat redundant.

The former Chicago Cub is coming off of a great 2019 season where he hit 58 doubles, the most in the major since Todd Helton hit 59 in 2000. Castellanos is known as a below-average defender, however.