SAN DIEGO -- Several teams are trying to obtain some of the Rangers' top prospects in trades.
Right-handed starter Alex Gonzalez, considered one of the top prospects in the minor league system, has a chance to make the big league roster in 2015 as a No. 4 starter. He's been mentioned in trade talks with several teams in need of young pitching talent, including the San Diego Padres.
But Rangers officials are balking at letting Gonzalez go unless they get overwhelmed by a deal. Rangers GM Jon Daniels has said no player is untouchable, but the club values the minor league system, particularly first baseman Joey Gallo, catcher Jorge Alfaro, outfielder Nomar Mazara, pitcher Jake Thompson and Gonzalez.
Baseball America ranked Gonzalez as the Rangers' sixth-best prospect in their system. In the minors last season, Gonzalez went 12-6 with a 2.66 ERA between Advanced-A and Double-A. He pitched in 138.2 innings where opponents hit .234 and he picked up a WHIP of 1.18.
The Rangers have decided to bypass on a power-hitting outfielder in a trade because the request for talent in return is just too much. Given that, the Rangers are still concentrating their efforts on starting pitching and have held talks with various clubs, including the New York Mets, Washington Nationals and the Padres.
"We've had conversations but not extensive conversations," Mets GM Sandy Alderson told ESPN New York in general terms about starting pitching. "So I think if anything is going to happen, there's still work to do."
The Rangers are interested in the Mets' Dillon Gee, a Cleburne, Texas, native, who went 7-8 with a 4.00 ERA.
"I love him. I love him," Mets manager Terry Collins told ESPN Dallas. "He's a pitcher, he knows how to pitch. He was pitching so good before he got hurt and after he got hurt, he just never got himself back in rhythm and that tells me a lot about about the importance of spring training of what it means and when he got back, he just couldn’t regain (it). He's going to be fine, he's a good pitcher."
The Rangers have also offered a contract to free agent Justin Masterson, but the Boston Red Sox are involved in those talks, as well.