Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan said his team doesn't expect to be involved in the bidding for free agent first basemen Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder this offseason.
"We truly believe Mitch’s career is ahead of him," said Ryan. "Making a seven-or-eight year deal for Fielder or Pujols is not something our organization is prepared to do. I very much expect Mitch Moreland to be our first baseman next year." Perhaps the Rangers might change their mind if Pujols winds up being willing to take a five-year deal with a higher average annual value, but it sounds like they'll stick with Mitch Moreland as their first baseman of the future. That's one team with plenty of cash that we can cross off the list for the two big free agent prizes.
Very wise decision for Ryan and the back to back AL Champs. Offense is not a problem for the Rangers and they're a team that doesn't need another ARod-type contract holding them down again. They're a team with few holes but probably need to shift focus on pitching since Wilson is likely leaving and Feliz moving from closer to the rotation.