The Texas Rangers are interested in acquiring Michael Bourn as the free agent speedster remains in the market.
The Rangers have space in their outfield after Josh Hamilton signed with the Los Angeles Angels exactly one week ago and you know they are always willing to spend big bucks.
Bourn could bring a change to that lineup and with give them a legitimate leadoff hitter with base stealing threat, something they haven't heard in recent years.
Ian Kinsler is not a leadoff hitter. His on-base percentage has been high in the past, but he has also proven he can hit for power.
How about the Rangers start considering Kinsler as a cleanup hitter now with the departure of Josh Hamilton. Why not? His power numbers were down in 2012, but he's hit 30 home runs twice in his career.
Nelson Cruz is great, but he's likely to miss time on the disabled list. A.J. Pierzynski has power, but at this stage in his career you really can't count on him to be your power guy. If anything, Pierzynski can help supply some of that power missing in the lineup.
Adrian Beltre remains the best power guy the Rangers have in that lineup. So they can't rely on the home runs the way they did as of late with the departure of Hamilton and Mike Napoli.
Cue in Bourn. You play small ball early in games and then hope your veteran pitching staff can close out games. Kinsler can finally slide down in the lineup and have runners on base in his first at bats of ball games.
The Rangers would have a lethal running game as Elvis Andrus also steals bases. Combined, Bourn and Andrus had over 60 stolen bases in 2012.
Bourn is currently being sought after the Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox were reportedly in on Bourn too. However, the race looks to be down to just these two teams. The Mariners could use another proven hitter in their lineup, which means they'll probably give the Rangers a run for their money.
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