Jon Daniels Says Trading For A Player With A Year Or Two Of Control Doesn't Make Sense

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DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - Jon Daniels can't get out of San Diego soon enough. 

The Rangers general manager didn't hide his frustration when asked by the media to give his thoughts on missing out on their top target this winter, former Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon. 

"I'm not going to sugarcoat it. It sucks," Daniels told reporters Thursday on the final day of the winter meetings in Southern California. 

Jon Daniels on missing out on Anthony Rendon...."I am not going to sugarcoat it....it sucks."

— TR Sullivan (@Sullivan_Ranger) December 12, 2019

The Rangers found out Wednesday night that they had lost out to the rival Angels in the Anthony Rendon sweepstakes, prompting them to turn their attention to the next best third baseman option on the market, Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson. But it appears they will swing and miss on him, as well, according to Levi Weaver of The Athletic. 

So, what's next? With third basemen Kris Bryant and Nolan Arenado's names having been floated in trade rumors at this week's meetings, it would be presumed that Texas would go there next. But that doesn't appear to be Daniels' next move, either.

"There are some trade options that … made more sense in our mind if we had landed the free agents that were at the top of our list … But I think trading for somebody that only has a year or two of control makes more sense when the club is a little more filled-out," Daniels said, via Weaver.

"There are some trade options that … made more sense in our mind if we had landed the free agents that were at the top of our list … But I think trading for somebody that only has a year or two of control makes more sense when the club is a little more filled-out." - Daniels

— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) December 12, 2019

If you put the puzzle pieces together, you can see pretty clearly that Daniels is definitely talking about Bryant (possibly as an outfielder after acquiring Rendon), as he has one or two years left of control depending on the result of a grievance he filed with Major League Baseball over his service time. 

What's not clear is if Daniels was intending to include Arenado in that category, but the Rockies third baseman does have opt-out after the 2021 season. Daniels also said they will still "address third base" and the trade market may be the best avenue to do so, it's just not clear who that target would be. Miguel Andujar?

So, now where do they go? 

It's a great question. They could always pivot and turn their attention to the other right-handed bats on the market in corner outfielders Nicholas Castellanos and Marcell Ozuna. Later Thursday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News confirmed an interest in adding Castellanos as a first baseman rather than an outfielder. 

Jon Daniels said this morning that Rangers will still "address 3B," but said team will focus on overall improvements to team. Trade market could be more realistic. But makes Nicholas Castellanos as a 1B more realistic FA target, too. Castellanos would not cost Rangers draft pick

— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) December 12, 2019

Castellanos is intriguing because he won't cost the club a top draft pick. Ozuna, however, did receive a qualifying offer, and Texas would owe the St. Louis Cardinals a draft pick should they sign him.