Report: Rangers open to trading Darvish for 'right deal'
With the July 31 trade deadline less than a week away, the Texas Rangers possess one of the hottest targets, Yu Darvish, and it appears they're going back and forth about what to do with the right-hander.
Sources close to trade talks involving Darvish told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan on Monday the Rangers were "strongly leaning" toward keeping the 30-year-old impending free agent, but a new report surfaced Tuesday stating otherwise.
Rangers general manager Jon Daniels began calling potential suitors Monday to tell them he would be open to trading Darvish for the "right deal," sources told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.
If Daniels isn't offered a worthy return for Darvish, he's informed clubs that Texas will hold onto him and instead make a run for the American League wild card, writes Crasnick.
Darvish has been front-and-center in trade rumors over the past week with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros reportedly showing interest. All three clubs scouted Darvish during recent starts.
The Japanese hurler is a four-time All-Star who has struck out 11 hitters per nine innings during his five-year career, which has included an ERA of 3.32 and WHIP of 1.17.
He's owed the remainder of an $11-million salary this season.