Trade Deadline Target: Brian McCann

The Texas Rangers have been serious players at the MLB trade deadline since Jon Daniels became the club's general manager, and this year will be no different. Let's take a look at a possible Rangers target for the July 31 deadline.

Target: Brian McCann, C/1B/DH, Atlanta Braves

This one has come out of the blue a bit, as the Braves are almost a lock to make the postseason as they're running away with the weak NL East. McCann is a free agent following this season and would be a rental if the Rangers were to acquire him, like Matt Garza was, but Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal is reporting the Rangers and Braves are discussing a move involving McCann, a 29-year-old catcher who has been pushed for playing time by the young, upstart Evan Gattis.

McCann is a left-handed hitter, not the Rangers' ideal target but at this point, the Rangers might just want some spark, no matter what side of the plate the guy hits from. He's got 20-plus home run power and could be a versatile defender for the Rangers with the ability to catch and play first base, where Mitch Moreland is a horrible mess at the moment. He could also give the Rangers a strong candidate to step in at designated hitter.

So far this season, McCann is hitting .284 with 13 homers and 35 RBIs in 62 games played this season as he started the season on the disabled list and didn't make his 2013 debut until May 6.

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