Sunday Rangers Trade Rumors: The Backup Plan Edition

More to follow as warranted by new developments:

4:15 p.m. CDT: T.R. Sullivan notes in his late-afternoon update that the Rangers "aren't optimistic" that they will trade for starting pitching help before the non-waiver trade deadline, and says that from what sources are saying, Josh Johnson and James Shields "just aren't going to happen" for Texas; their belief is that the Rays aren't serious about moving Shields, and they "aren't that high" on Johnson (MLB.com)

From Ken Rosenthal: "The Rangers, frustrated by the thin trade market for starting pitchers, are increasing their focus on relievers and hitters, according to major-league sources. Cleveland Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is one hitter in whom the Rangers have interest, sources said. But the Rangers are casting a wide search, and were not yet believed to be close to any trades. ... The top of the pitching market now consists of [Shields and Johnson], neither of whom the Rangers consider attractive at their respective teams’ current asking prices, sources said." (FOXSports.com)

● 1:00 p.m. CDT: From Jayson Stark: "Texas ... seems especially cautious about [Josh] Johnson and the hefty package it would take to get him, no matter how much the Rangers might need an ace. The Marlins have told Texas there's nothing for those two teams to talk about unless third-base prospect Mike Olt's name is on the table. And so far, the Rangers haven't been willing to lay Olt's name on any team's table, for any sort of deal. So the chances of those two clubs matching up seems like a major long shot. But the Rangers still sent a delegation to see Johnson pitch on Sunday. So those chances, clearly, aren't zero." (ESPN.com)

● 6:00 a.m. CDT: Per T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers don't want to move Jurickson Profar or Mike Olt in any deal for a starting pitcher; that wasn't a direct factor in the Zack Greinke trade falling apart, however, as the Brewers, as mentioned before, wanted Martin Perez, but the Rangers also weren't willing to include Perez in a deal for Greinke; one of the deals that was discussed would have sent Justin Grimm, Chad Bell, Leury Garcia, and Jorge Alfaro to the Brewers, but the Rangers -- again, per Sullivan's account; Ken Rosenthal's account had Cody Buckel factor prominently into the discussion -- were only willing to go as far as Grimm/Bell/Garcia (MLB.com)

● With talk continuing to build of the Marlins seeking a potentially exorbitant sum for Josh Johnson, Danny Knobler notes that both the Rangers and Angels backed off Johnson due to his past health issues and their respective beliefs that his $13.75 million salary is too high in light of that injury risk (Twitter)

● The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo says that the Rangers need a backup catcher, and notes that Rangers scouts were in attendance at last night's Red Sox game, with his inference being that Kelly Shoppach was being scouted by the Rangers; Texas also covets Cody Ross, but there's no indication that Boston wants to sell on him at this point (Twitter, CBSSports.com)