MLB trade rumors: Rangers, Rockies discussed Carlos Gonzalez

The Texas Rangers held preliminary trade talks with the Colorado Rockies involving All-Star outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, according to Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com. However, these talks never made it past the early stages as the Rangers were unwilling to part with top prospects Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt.

They lost out in trade efforts with Tampa Bay for right-hander James Shields and Arizona for outfielder Justin Upton, and never got past a preliminary chat with Colorado about Carlos Gonzalez when they refused to consider giving up prime prospects Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt.

When the Rangers were unable to land top targets, including free agents Zack Greinke and Josh Hamilton, attention was turned to Gonzalez, a less obvious potential acquisition.

Though two years older, Gonzalez offers superior career numbers to Justin Upton, another young outfielder the Rangers targeted this winter. Colorado apparently wanted one of Texas' top infield prospects in return, but the Rangers refused.

Related: Rangers place 6 in MLB.com top prospect list

Rather than panic as dominoes, such as Greinke, Hamilton, James Shields, Josh Johnson, R.A. Dickey and Upton, began falling off the board, the Rangers have elected to stand relatively pat this offseason. They have added veterans Lance Berkman, A.J. Pierzynski and Joakim Soria, but all were signed to short-term contracts.

Rather than opening their wallet for players perceived to be overpriced, the Rangers are prepared to let their young crop, including Profar, Olt, Leonys Martin and Martin Perez, show what they can do at the major league level. It remains to be determined if they made the right decision.