According to Jerry Crasnick, the Texas Rangers have been showing interest in adding an outfielder. Crasnick reported that the Rangers have a mild interest in outfielder Michael Saunders of the division rival Seattle Mariners. The Rangers are assumed to be actively looking to add outfielders with the loss of right fielder Alex Rios to free agency.
#Rangers looking for an OF, have checked in w/ #mariners on Michael Saunders. Mild interest from Texas’ end.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 24, 2014
The Canadian born Saunders has played 6 major league seasons, all with the Mariners. Last season Saunders battled injury, making only 78 appearances, in which 68 of those were made in right field. Saunders batted .273/.341/.450 while adding on 8 home runs and 34 runs batted in. The move could make sense for both the Rangers and Mariners, as Saunders could directly fill Rios’ spot in right field, but he can also play the centre field position. The move would also make sense for the Mariners with recent reports that they are very interested in adding a right handed hitting outfielder.
As reported earlier today by Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, Seattle has been trying to acquire a right handed hitting outfielder for quite some time now. Seattle’s front office has reportedly had talks on players such as Justin Upton, Matt Kemp and Yoenis Cespedes.
#Mariners have had trade talks on multiple RH outfielders, including Matt Kemp, Yoenis Cespedes, and Justin Upton. They want to land one.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 25, 2014
If Saunders is moved, it could be the beginning of an outfield face lift in Seattle. An outfield with the likes of left handed hitting Dustin Ackley and Austin Jackson alongside an all star right handed bat such as Justin Upton, Matt Kemp or Yoenis Cespedes would make for a powerful lineup card in Seattle.
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