Texas Rangers beat reporter TR Sullivan of MLB.com gave a clue as to just how widespread New York Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen’s net is being thrown.
According to Sullivan, the “Rangers have been talking with [the] Braves and Mets about young, controllable pitching”, adding “both teams [are] looking for outfield help”, and acknowledging the fact the Mets are indeed looking for a right-handed bat, which Texas has nearly none of in its outfield.
Nomar Mazara is an intriguing name despite his left-handedness. After hitting .258/.317/.436 with 20 home runs, 77 runs batted in, and a career-high 95 OPS+ rating, the 23-year-old Dominican native appears to be trending up at just the right time for a very young major leaguer.
Carlos Tocci is a 23-year-old right-handed centerfielder but hit just .225/271/.283 in 135 plate appearances for the Rangers last season. Through seven minor league seasons, the Venezuelan native has a .265/.317/.337 slash line, bouncing between the Phillies and Texas’ organizations.
Jurickson Profar is an infielder (shortstop, second, third) but is a 25-year-old switch hitter with globs of potential. In 594 plate appearances last year — his fifth MLB campaign — the Curacao native hit .254/.335/.458 with 20 home runs, 77 RBI, just 88 strikeouts, and a 105 OPS+ rating.
His versatility, switch-hitting capability, and propensity to put the ball in play make him a carbon copy of the type of player Brodie Van Wagenen has been talking about bringing into the fold in Flushing.
Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz, and, of course, Noah Syndergaard have been mentioned in a variety of strong-to-passing rumors over the last week or so, but this doesn’t appear to be the sort of return Van Wagenen would be looking to recoup if he were to move one of the aforementioned hurlers.
This may turn out to be nothing of circumstance, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on. As always, keep it locked onto MMO for continuing updates from the Winter Meetings.
