Veteran infielder Todd Frazier and the Texas Rangers have reached an agreement on a $5 million, one-year contract, filling a significant need for the team.
A person familiar with the deal said the agreement was pending a successful physical. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not been announced.
Frazier will make $3.5 million in 2020, and the deal includes a 2021 club option with a $1.5 million buyout.
» MARK BRADLEY: No plan B for Braves after Josh Donaldson
Third base is one of the primary needs for the Rangers, who along with Atlanta, was among the reported suitors for Josh Donaldson. The team lost out in their pursuit of free agent Anthony Rendon this offseason when he signed with the division rival Los Angeles Angels. Donaldson declined a qualifying offer from Atlanta in November to become a free agent.
Frazier also gives the Rangers another right-handed hitter in their left-leaning lineup, and could also play first base.
Frazier, a month shy of his 34th birthday, spent the past two seasons with the New York Mets. He hit .251 with 21 homers and 67 RBIs in 133 games last year. He also also played for the Cincinnati Reds (2011-15), Chicago White Sox (2016-17) and Yankees (2017) in his nine big league seasons.
Free-agent third basemen signed this offseason:
Anthony Rendon (30 years old) — signed Dec. 13 to 7-year deal with Angels
Mike Moustakas (31) — signed Dec. 5 to a 4-year deal with Reds
Asdrubal Cabrera (34) — signed 1-year deal Jan. 8 with Nationals
Todd Frazier (34, 1.9) — signed 1 year deal Jan. 12 with Rangers
Ryan Goins (32) — signed minor-league deal Nov. 22 with A's
Maikel Franco (27) — signed 1-year deal Dec. 27 with Royals
Jose Peraza (26) — signed Dec. 13 to 1-year deal with Red Sox
Jedd Gyorko (31) — signed 1-year deal Jan. 10 with Brewers
Travis Shaw (30) — signed 1-year deal Dec. 30 with Blue Jays
Third basemen still available:
Josh Donaldson (34 years old)
Pablo Sandoval (33)
Sean Rodriguez (35)
Kaleb Cowart (28)
Ryan Flaherty (33)
Matt Duffy (29)
Jung Ho Kang (33)
Martin Prado (36)
