The Texas Rangers are rumored to be one of two teams negotiating with free agent third baseman Edwin Encarnación.
ESPN's Marly Rivera tweeted that the Rangers and Cleveland Indians are negotiating with Encarnación at MLB's Winter Meetings.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale essentially refuted Rivera's information, citing payroll limitations.
Encarnación would be the ideal fit for the Rangers, who need a right-handed hitter that can play first base and designated hitter.
The 33-year-old Encarnación hit .263/.357/.529 with 42 home runs and an AL-leading 127 RBI for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016. He's topped the 30-home run mark in each of the last five seasons.
Encarnación was drafted by the Rangers in the 9th round of the 2000 MLB Draft. The Rangers traded him to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Rob Bell.
