As first reported by Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald and now confirmed by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Rangers have talked to the Marlins about acquiring outfielder Marcell Ozuna for right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez and another piece.
Rosenthal says the Rangers “need to add pitching, not subtract” so no deal is close. But this swap could grow legs if Texas can find a new starter soon.
Ozuna posted a disappointing .259/.308/.383 batting line with 10 home runs and 44 RBI in 123 games last summer for Miami after enjoying a breakout in 2014. A source told ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick in November that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria “can’t stand” the 25-year-old outfielder, who will reach salary arbitration in 2017.
Gonzalez, 23, had a 3.90 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 67 innings (10 starts, four relief appearances) last season for the Rangers. He was the 23rd overall pick in the 2013 amateur draft.
