Updated Odds for the Texas Rangers to Trade for Top 2 Targets

Texas Rangers general manager Jon Daniels has said that his club won’t be doing much work in the free-agent market and will try to fill voids through trade.

It is still early in the offseason and other proposals are bound to be mentioned. However, the Rangers have already been linked to multiple candidates and have even enquired about others. They are in the market for a catcher, left fielder and starting pitching.

While the club isn’t stocked with young talent, it still has plenty of prospects that could entice teams into dealing some of their best talent. Although guys like Joey Gallo and Jorge Alfaro, the club’s top two prospects, are considered untouchable per Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

There are currently just two players the Rangers have been linked to thus far. The calendar has yet to hit December, so more names are bound to hit the rumor mill as the offseason progresses.

Here is a look at the updated odds on Texas’ trade targets so far. Odds will be based upon what clubs are or will be seeking for their players.

Justin Upton – 20%

The Rangers made the first call to the Atlanta Braves to check on the availability of Justin Upton.

David Goldman/Associated Press

Upton is set to be a free agent after the 2015 season and is bound for an upgraded contract. He finished the 2014 season with 29 homers, the fourth-most in the National League, and 102 RBI, which were the third-most and a career-high.

The former No. 1 pick also hit more than 30 doubles for the first time since 2011 but also set a career-high with 171 strikeouts.

Upton would provide the Rangers with right-handed power and fill the void in left field. However, the Braves are demanding a higher return for the 27-year-old than they got for Jason Heyward. Texas would be unlikely to depart with some its top prospects for a player who could depart at the end of 2015.

The deal still gets a solid 20 percent chance of happening, but don’t expect the Rangers to be pushing for a deal to get done.

Michael Saunders – 35%

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweeted that the Rangers are also looking at Seattle Mariners outfielder Michael Saunders.

While Upton would provide an upgrade in power from the right side, Saunders would give Texas another left-handed bat at a much lower cost. He has spent his entire six-year career with Seattle and is very familiar with the Rangers and Globe Life Park in Arlington.

In fact, he has a career .280 batting average in 103 plate appearances in Arlington.

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Saunders has been injury-prone for most of his career, and that was no different in 2014 when he only played in 78 games. He hit .273 with eight homers and 34 RBI in his limited time and was error-free, roaming all three spots in the outfield.

However, Saunders played most of his games out in right field, which was something new for him last season. He has spent most of his career in center (263 games) and left (175 games).

This deal is more likely to happen than the club getting Upton. Saunders could provide a short-term fix for left field with a cheap contract and keeping the team's best prospects in the organization.