Add one more team to the list of clubs interested in free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino.
The Texas Rangers are speaking with the 33-year-old right-hander, as well as former Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen, sources told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
The Rangers' interest in the pair doesn't seem to fit a team that lost 95 games in 2018, making Texas more likely to spread its money around to less-expensive relievers and an infielder, Rosenthal adds.
Ottavino, who said in December he "would strike out Babe Ruth every time," has been linked to a number of clubs, including the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, while Allen's market has been slow.
Ottavino posted a career-best FIP of 2.74 in 2018 alongside 112 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings. His 36.3 K% ranked eighth in MLB, and his 2.0 WAR tied him for sixth among relief pitchers, according to Fangraphs.
Allen has recorded 149 career saves. Until last season, he posted an ERA under 3.00 in five consecutive years. While his WHIP (1.36) and home runs allowed (11) in 2018 were higher than the 30-year-old's usual career averages, Allen's strikeout numbers remained high (10.7 K/9).
The Rangers have already added Jesse Chavez and Jeanmar Gomez to their bullpen this offseason after finishing in the middle of the pack last year in a number of AL categories, including ERA (4.28), opponent's batting average (.256), and WHIP (1.35).
