For those of you that have moved on from free agency because your MLB team is already set for 2016, let's not forget a few big names are still available. One of them is outfielder Dexter Fowler, who is garnering interest from two MLB clubs.
David Kaplan of CSN Chicago is reporting the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers are "in play" for the veteran. Kaplan also noted it doesn't appear as if Fowler has a good chance of returning to the Chicago Cubs - the team he played for in 2015.
The White Sox have been linked to Fowler in previous rumors, but the Rangers are new to the discussion. Chicago has been in the market for outfielders for much of the offseason as they seemingly hope to upgrade over Avisail Garcia, so the link there makes sense for both sides.
However, the Rangers have a full outfield consisting of Shin-Soo Choo, Delino DeShield and Josh Hamilton. What gives here?
"Fowler presents [the Rangers] a reasonably affordable opportunity to upgrade," writes Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com.
"Right now, the Rangers are slotted for a full season of Delino DeShields, their 2014 Rule 5 Draft pickup who had a solid rookie season (.262/.344/.374 slash line), but they will have to make the inevitable sophomore adjustments. The even bigger question is in left, where Josh Hamilton resides. Hamilton has played in just 139 games over the past two years and continues to have issues with his surgically repaired left knee."
(Fowler could play left, which has been discussed, but he's primarily a center fielder.)
Also, don't forget the Rangers have popped up in trade rumors regarding Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy. While no deal is said to be imminent, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported yesterday "something's brewing with Lucroy." Maybe Milwaukee is asking for a player like DeShields, which would then create a vacancy in the Rangers' outfield. It's certainly not unrealistic, but there has been nothing to suggest that's the case.
Texas was also linked to Yoenis Cespedes and Justin Upton is rumors earlier this offseason, but that at least made a bit more sense because both of those sluggers are left fielders and Hamilton's health is a big question mark heading into 2016. On the other hand, the Rangers already have a young, cost-controlled center fielder in DeShields, so making a multi-year commitment to Fowler doesn't exactly line up right now unless they want him to play left.
Whatever the case, Fowler is bound to sign before the season starts, and it's just going to take the willingness of one team to surrender their first-round selection (or next highest pick) in the 2016 MLB Draft.
