Rangers GM calls pursuit of big-ticket 1B/DH 'unlikely'

The Texas Rangers are adding themselves to the list of teams who don't appear interested in making a major splash for Edwin Encarnacion.

Speaking to reporters at the winter meetings on Monday, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said that it's "unlikely" he'll be in play for a big free-agent bat.

The Rangers, instead, could look in-house at the position, with Joey Gallo, Jurickson Profar, and Ryan Rua as internal options.

Daniels has plenty of other areas of need he would like to address first. The Rangers have been linked to a number of outfielders, including Billy Hamilton of the Cincinnati Reds and free agent Ian Desmond. They're also looking to add another starting pitcher.

Encarnacion has watched his market shrink drastically the last few days, with the Astros, Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox, and now Rangers all believed to no longer be in play. That could all change, however, as the offseason rolls along.