In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.
Potential Target: David Murphy, OF
2015 stats: .283 batting average, .318 on-base percentage, .739 OPS, 18 doubles, 10 home runs, 50 RBIs in 132 games split between Cleveland and the Los Angeles Angels
David Murphy was a fan favorite for the 6 1/2 seasons he spent in Texas as a Texas native and Baylor-ex. He also had some pretty good moments with the Rangers, including in 2011 when he led the Rangers down the stretch to compensate for an injury to Josh Hamilton and crushed the ball in September.
Now, the Rangers are looking for someone to fill a void that will surely be there from time to time with Josh Hamilton in left field, and they could look to Murphy again. Murphy had a solid year with the Indians last year before being traded to the Angels to shore up their left-field picture and, like the rest of the left fielders in Anaheim, failing miserably.
In getting Murphy, the Rangers wouldn't be getting an everyday left fielder, but someone they could platoon with Justin Ruggiano in the event Hamilton is down with injury, which will surely happen on several different occasions this season.
