Report: Rangers no longer in the running for Abreu

Per Jesse Sanchez, the Texas Rangers are not one of the finalists for Cuban free agent first baseman Jose Abreu.

Sanchez writes that, per "multiple industry sources," Abreu has narrowed his choices down to the Houston Astros, the Boston Red Sox, and the Chicago White Sox.  In regards to the Rangers, Sanchez writes this:

The Rangers, Giants, and Marlins were among the teams to express strong interest but are no longer in the running.

Abreu, 26, is a big righthanded hitter who defected from Cuba this summer.  He is limited to first base or DH, meaning that his bat will have to carry him, and there have been mixed reports about how his hit tool will play at the major league level.

The Rangers are looking to upgrade their production at first base this coming season, after going with a Mitch Moreland/Jeff Baker platoon for most of the 2013 season.  There is no major league ready first base prospect in the Rangers' minor league system, meaning that the focus will likely be on upgrading via trade or free agency.