UPDATE (Tuesday, 12:05 p.m. ET): In addition to Soler, the Rangers have checked in on fellow Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Heading into the winter meetings, the Texas Rangers were looking to add a right-handed slugger. One of those bats is catching their attention.
According to MLB.com's TR Sullivan, the Rangers are interested in Chicago Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler, along with options such as Edwin Encarnacion, Mark Trumbo or Mike Napoli.
Encarnacion would be a golden ticket for the Rangers, while Trumbo or Napoli would also add the plate production they need from the right side of the plate.
Last season, the 24-year-old Soler batted .238 with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs in 86 games.
The Rangers have already lost switch-hitting free-agent DH/outfielder Carlos Beltran, who hit .280 in two months with the club in 2016. The Rangers might also lose left-handed-hitting free-agent first baseman Mitch Moreland, who collected 22 homers and 60 RBIs in 147 games, though the team is still reportedly maintaining contact with him.
-- Courtney Schellin
