Texas Rangers Rumors: Pros and Cons of Top Offseason Targets

The Texas Rangers seem poised to be very active this offseason as they look to fill voids left after the end of the 2014 season.

After losing 95 games, the first time the franchise has broken 90 in the loss column since 2003, Texas will be looking to add depth in both the rotation and bullpen. It will also look to bring in a left fielder after moving Shin-Soo Choo to his preferred right field position and another catcher to back up Robinson Chirinos.

While there are areas that can be filled with free agents, ESPNDallas.com’s Calvin Watkins reported that general manager Jon Daniels isn’t looking to sign a high-profile free agent: "Daniels instead will seek trades while being mindful of the riches in the Rangers' Double-A system, where most of the young talent resides."

Again, that doesn’t mean the club won’t be looking to improve through free agency. The Rangers have been linked to a few players early this offseason and have shown strong interest in them.

We will look at each of the players the Rangers have been linked to so far and list each free agent’s strengths and weaknesses.

OF Torii Hunter

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

2014 Season Stats

142 G, .286/.319/.446, 33 2B, 2 3B, 17 HR, 83 RBI, 71 R, 23 BB, 89 SO

Pros

Even at his age, Torii Hunter continues to perform at a high level.

The former first-round pick will be 40 next July and has been a good pickup for the Detroit Tigers for the past two years. He hit 17 homers and posted 33 or more doubles for the second consecutive season. He struck out less than 100 times for the first time since 2009.

Hunter is proving he can still hit in any lineup. His average dipped below .300 for the first time in three years, but he still hit .286 and drove in 83 runs.

His age should allow the Rangers to get him at a decent price.

Cons

The most notable change is Hunter’s defense. He had just five assists in the outfield, the fewest since he played for the Los Angeles Angels in 2010. In fact, his defensive runs saved was minus-18, the worst of his big league career.

Hunter has played most of his career in center and right, only covering left field 17 times in 18 seasons. If the Rangers are moving Choo to right, then adding the 39-year-old doesn’t make a lot of sense. The club already has other internal candidates for the left side of the outfield plus other free agents to take into consideration.

While he has been productive at the plate, his age just can’t be overlooked. He has played in at least 140 games in each of the past five seasons, but you have to wonder when the wheels will start to fall off, if they do.

RHP Colby Lewis

Jim Cowsert/Associated Press

2014 Stats

29 GS, 10-14, 170.1 IP, 5.18 ERA, 1.521 WHIP, 48 BB, 133 SO

Pros

If there is one free-agent starting pitcher the Rangers could get, it would be Colby Lewis, and Daniels has made it clear he wants to bring him back to Arlington.

He cost the club just $2 million in 2014, and signing him for next season would be around the same. Although he hasn’t been the most successful starter during the regular season, Lewis is the most effective pitcher this franchise has ever had in its postseason history.

Lewis adds a veteran presence that is nearly nonexistent on the roster. He is one of the last remaining players who were a part of the 2011 World Series team that nearly took home the franchise's first World Series title.

Cons

Colby Lewis was a workhorse for the organization before elbow surgery cut his season short in 2012, forcing him to miss the 2013 season altogether.

Nothing has really gotten better for the right-hander since. Lewis had arguably the worst year of his career, posting an ERA over five and pitching at least six frames only 14 times in 29 starts. He gave up 11.1 hits per nine innings, the most since he played for the Oakland Athletics in 2007.

Not only has he been ineffective, Lewis has seen multiple trips to the disabled list. He had hip surgery during his rehab assignment for the elbow surgery he had the year before.

DH/OF Nelson Cruz

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

2014 Stats

159 G, .271/.333/.525, 32 2B, 2 3B, 40 HR, 55 BB, 140 SO

Pros

What’s not to like about a guy who just hit 40 home runs and drove in 108 runs last season?

Nelson Cruz was a main key to the Baltimore Orioles' success in 2014, including a run to the American League Championship Series. He has always shown great power to all fields and can post a slugging percentage over .500 every year.

It’s easy to say the Rangers made a mistake not bringing back Cruz after his monster campaign. After all, he only signed for $8 million and proceeded to lead all of baseball in dingers. However, this was the first full year the Dominican Republic native really tapped into his power and showed what he was capable of.

He played more games in left field in 2014 than he did in his entire career. He contributed two assists and did not make a single error, suggesting he still has some value as an outfielder. Cruz could be slotted as a designated hitter or take over in one of the corner outfield spots sporadically throughout the year.

Cons

His power is hard to ignore, but that is really where his value ends. While he has shown he can still play defensively, Cruz doesn’t have great range and is a below-average runner.

Beyond his game, Cruz will be 35 years old in July of next season and was asking for a five-year deal from the Orioles. That is a long commitment for a player of his age who would be pushing 40 years toward the end of the deal.

Not only is he asking for five years, but the 34-year-old will be looking for around $15 million per year. And his 40-homer campaign suggests he will get it from one of his potential suitors.

All stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com.

You can follow Trey on Twitter @treydwarren.