The Texas Rangers made a smart, no-risk move by bringing in veteran outfielder and noted masher of left-handed pitching Nate Schierholtz on a minor-league contract with an invite to big-league spring training.
The thought was that he'd compete for a platoon outfielder spot in left field, and likely be a guy that could start against lefties on the mound. He has also been known as a tremendous defensive outfielder throughout his career.
Over the weekend, the Rangers told Schierholtz he would not make the big-league roster, and per his contract, he was given his unconditional release from the Rangers and immediately became a free agent.
Schierholtz will catch on somewhere. He had an awful season at the plate last year but prior to that, the 31-year-old was one of the better platoon outfielders in the game.
It's a shame he couldn't catch on with Texas, as he would've provided a cheap option there, but instead it looks like they'll go with an even cheaper tandem of Ryan Rua and Jake Smolinski in left field.