According to a report from FoxSports.com baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, the Texas Rangers aren't done upgrading the back of their bullpen, even after signing former Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan to a two-year deal. On the trade front, their main target is Oakland A's closer Andrew Bailey.
Bailey, a 6'3 240 right-hander, was the AL Rookie of the Year in Oakland in 2009, and made the All-Star team in his first two years in MLB. In three seasons, Bailey has 174 innings with a 2.07 ERA and 75 saves.
With Neftali Feliz headed to the starting rotation, adding Bailey would give the Rangers a plethora of elite late-inning arms. And with Mike Adams eligible for free agency after next season, Bailey would give Texas a long-term answer at the closer position:
"They are going to get one more guy at the back end of their bullpen, I can promise you that," said one source who has been in contact with the Rangers.
Texas made it to its second consecutive World Series on the strength of its bullpen, asking its starters to get the club through five innings, and with ace C.J. Wilson looking likely to depart in free agency, acquiring a player like Bailey might be the most cost-effective way for the Rangers to remain at the top of the AL pennant race.
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