The Texas Rangers are reportedly working double time to get a reliable outfielder before the trade deadline as they try to cushion the impact of upcoming suspension on outfielder Nelson Cruz, reliable league insiders disclosed on Monday.
According to a recent tweet from ESPN Baseball insider Buster Olney, the Rangers are burning the hotlines to snag a solid outfielder as the trade period comes to a close.
The Rangers, who are still in the thick of the AL West race despite their recent struggles, are believed to be in desperate need of an outfielder with reports indicating Cruz will be suspended this week for his involvement in the Biogenesis doping scandal.
The Rangers are reportedly in talks to get two-time Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios or New York Mets outfielder Marlon Byrd.
Rios is batting .272 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs for the White Sox, while Marlon Byrd is hitting .281 with 17 homers and 59 RBIs for the Mets this season.
The Rangers are dangling their closer Joe Nathan as a possible trade chip, but it is unlikely title-contending teams will offer a reliable batter for a closer.
League insiders believe the Rangers (56-49) are still exploring other alternatives that could potentially give them another solid slugger as they look to compete with the Oakland Athletics (62-43) for the top spot in their division.
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