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Texas Rangers rumors: Nomar Mazara and Chi Chi Gonzalez were the primary targets that the Atlanta Braves were seeking from the Rangers in a potential Evan Gattis deal, according to Jeff Wilson. Reports indicate that the Rangers were making a push for Gattis, but weren't willing to part with a package as strong as the Astros, and so Atlanta ended up shipping Gattis to Houston.
Keith Law calls what Atlanta got for Gattis -- Mike Foltynewicz, Rio Ruiz, and Andrew Thurman -- a "very strong return" for a "flawed player" who is "near the apex of his value," and I wouldn't have wanted to see the Rangers give up Gonzalez or Mazara to get Gattis.
One of the things we've heard a lot this offseason is that Gonzalez and Mazara are two players the Rangers are getting asked about quite a bit...no doubt, the perception is that Joey Gallo and Jorge Alfaro are off-limits, and so those are seen as the next-best prospects in the farm by other teams. Gonzalez, though, is being held in high regard at this point, and is seen as a potential member of the rotation at some point in 2015, while Mazara's big step forward in 2014 has him on track to possibly be in the majors as soon as late 2015.
In any case, the Braves wanted a lot for Gattis, the Astros were willing to give up a lot to get him, and as a result, Gattis is now in Houston.
