Potential Target: Austin Jackson

In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.

Potential Target: Austin Jackson, OF
2015 stats: .267 batting average, .311 on-base percentage, .696 OPS, 25 doubles, 3 triples, 9 home runs, 48 RBIs, 17 stolen bases in 136 games, split between the Mariners and Cubs

Jackson is a native son, growing up in Denton and attending Ryan High School, and could be a guy that thrives in a place he's obviously comfortable.

He had his best seasons in Detroit but has seen his numbers dip in both Seattle and Chicago and he was basically used as a bench presence for the Cubs down the stretch after they acquired him at the trade deadline.

Jackson is 29, so he's still young and seemingly has good days left in him, and he could be a nice low-risk guy to bring it and see if he can rediscover his bat as he led the league in triples twice while with the Tigers and hit a career-high .300 in 2012.

But make no mistake, the most appealing part of Jackson's game is his glove in center field, and that's where he really fits the Rangers need.

True, Delino DeShields had a great rookie year, but he has defensive weaknesses and it'll be interesting to see how he responds in 2016 after pitchers have built a book on him.

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Jackson would be a great insurance policy on that risk not to mention a really nice defensive piece to have in the outfield, especially if Josh Hamilton goes down and the Rangers have to shift things around.

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