Most assumed that after losing free agent righty Zack Greinke to the Dodgers, the Rangers would shift their focus (and winter budget) back toward Josh Hamilton. But that might not be the case.
According to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Rangers “still want to trade for” Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton. Which would mean letting Hamilton walk and going after one of the other free agent starters or spinning another trade for a front-line guy like R.A. Dickey or James Shields.
Upton batted .280/.355/.430 with 17 home runs, 18 stolen bases, 24 doubles and 67 RBI across 628 plate appearances this past season for Arizona.
The 25-year-old is under contract through the 2015 campaign for a total of $38.5 million.
The Snakes are known to want a shortstop in return and the Rangers don’t want to surrender either Elvis Andrus or Jurickson Profar, which is why a multi-team trade has recently been explored.
