Since it became clear they have a legitimate shot to be a championship contender this season, the Rangers have been pushing hard to add players, with a hand in seemingly every trade rumor.

Well, MLB.com says that with the deadline to add postseason-eligible players just hours away, the Rangers are still hammering the phone lines. Some reports out of New York have had Mets odd man out Jeff Francoeur headed to Texas (he could be non-tendered if the deadline passes and the Mets can't move him), but T.R. Sullivan reports that it's another odd man out -- Boston's Mike Lowell -- who is the Rangers' top target.

The Rangers almost dealt for Lowell last winter until it surfaced that he needed thumb surgery. He's cropped up several times this year in rumors about the Rangers. But now it could finally happen. The Rangers' deadline acquisition of the Marlins' Jorge Cantu has been a disaster in the early going, as he's batting .211 in 18 games since the trade. Lowell would be another right-handed infield option.

Players must be added to a team's roster by midnight ET tonight in order to be eligible for that team's postseason roster.

UPDATE: Now Sullivan counters his own report, saying a Rangers official told him "Nothing is happening with Lowell." The Dallas Morning News says the Francoeur thing is still alive.

-- David Andriesen

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