*Photo from CBS Sports*
Of course, right after I release my top remaining free agents list, this happens. Right after I predicted that 1B Greg Bird would go to the Miami Marlins, I get proven wrong. The Texas Rangers have agreed to a minor league deal with Bird, according to the team. Bird's contract includes an invitation to major league spring training. The first full squad workout for the Rangers is on February 17 at the team facilities in Surprise, AZ. The Rangers signed Bird after he held a workout in Tampa, FL, and the team scouts liked what they saw in Bird.
Bird is a big lefty slugger with good power in the bat, but has been marred with injuries in his career. A plantar fascia tear in his left foot limited Bird to just 10 games last season with the New York Yankees. In those games, Bird had 6 hits and one homer, equaling a .171 batting average. Bird has been to the injured list in each of the last 4 seasons, and went to the 60 day IL 3 of those seasons since breaking into the league with the Yankees in 2015. Bird is a career .211 hitter with 32 homers and 98 RBI in his 4 year major league career. Bird was non tendered by the Yankees at the start of the offseason.
The Rangers have signed a whopping 27 players to minor league deals this winter, all with invites to big league camp, upping their camp roster to 67 players. Bird will have to fight for a first base job out of camp, as the Rangers have Bird, Ronald Guzman, Sam Travis, and potentially Todd Frazier in the mix to play first, though Frazier is likely slated to play 3rd base. Joey Gallo could also be moved out of the outfield to play first on a few occasions, so Bird will have to prove his worth in the spring.
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