Sale, Cutch, Encarnacion intriguing to Texas

ARLINGTON — Chris Sale. Andrew McCutchen. Edwin Encarnacion.

Those are the three most intriguing players to the Rangers this offseason. One is a free agent, and the other two are available by trade.

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All three fit into what Texas needs and/or is looking for as it tries to put together a third straight division-championship team.

It’s highly unlikely the Rangers have the resources — financial or otherwise — to sweep up all three players. But those are the three sitting out there if Texas is looking to make an impact acquisition this offseason.

And the Rangers are always looking to make an impact acquisition, no matter the time of the year.

“We have talked to a lot of clubs,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. “I don’t want to rule anything out. It’s still very early in the offseason.”

The Rangers’ continued interest in Sale is obvious. They tried to acquire him last July from the White Sox, but they couldn’t close a deal. Now that it is the offseason, Chicago has not closed the book on the possibility of still trading Sale.

The White Sox have made it clear that they are looking more long-term than short-term, and it appears nobody on their roster is untouchable. They also have left-hander Jose Quintana and right-hander James Shields available, but Sale is most coveted.

Sale, 27, was 17-10 with a 3.34 ERA and 233 strikeouts in 32 starts this past season. He is signed for $12 million in 2017 with two favorable club options of $12.5 million in ’18 and $13.5 million in ’19.

Daniels, after announcing the signing of right-hander Andrew Cashner on Monday, said the Rangers are still looking for starting pitching. He …

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