Texas would now like to add a starter who can lead the rotation into their new ballpark next season. After Stephen Strasburg and Gerritt Cole became unlikely to join Texas, the Rangers set their sights on the next guy on the list, Zack Wheeler. But it appears he won't be coming here, either.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday morning that Wheeler is no longer considering the Rangers as reports have swirled that the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds are the finalists for his services. Wheeler has reportedly received at least one five-year, $100 million offer. It's unknown if Texas was willing to make that kind of commitment to the 29-year-old.
The next tier of free-agent starting pitchers includes Hyun-Jin Ryu of Los Angeles, Dallas Keuchel of Atlanta and Madison Bumgarner of San Francisco. Grant reports that it's unclear if the Rangers would bid on any of those pitchers or elect to make a play for someone in the next tier such as Michael Pineda, Rick Porcello and Julio Teheran.