7. Texas Rangers
by Hayden Hughes
With what began with so much promise in the offseason has ended Spring Training with more question marks and ill-timed injuries. The Texas Rangers seemed poised and ready to begin the Jurickson Profar-era of the franchise along with the reliable ace Yu Darvish. And while Darvish will miss may two starts at most, Profar will miss nearly half of 2014 with a muscle tear in his throwing shoulder. Further adding to question the legitamacy of Texas' chances at winning in 2014, Geovany Soto will miss the same amount of time. These injuries have led to the emergency signings of Joe Saunders, Chris Gimenez, Donnie Murphy, and Tommy Hanson - the latter has already hit the pool of free agency again. With question marks surrounding starter Matt Harrison's back, starting pitching depth has become a huge issue for the Rangers.
Despite being 0 for 2 with converting relief pitchers into formidable starters (see: Feliz, Neftali and Ogando, Alexi), Texas has taken chances with both Tanner Scheppers and Robbie Ross, as both will get their chances in the rotation in 2014. Of course, even if one or both Scheppers and Ross work out, this move depletes the Rangers' bullpen. Making matters worse, Feliz's performance coming off his 2012 Tommy John Surgery has earned him a demotion to Triple-A.
So the offense has to hit - a problem with the 2013 Rangers' roster. In a blockbuster with Detroit just before the winter meetings, Texas landed Prince Fielder and a month later shelled out the cash to sign outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. Choo's presence bring a legitimate lead off hitter who drew over 110 walks in 2013, something Rangers fans haven't had in the previous two seasons. Fielder has arrived to Texas in the best shape of his life - and noticeably, not in the stereotypical sense, so - and has had an uplifting spring for the Rangers, and should hit well in the third spot of Ron Washington's lineup. Further development in Leonys Martin and consistency out of shortstop Elvis Andrus will be imperative if the hobbled Rangers intend to compete at all in 2014. However, stability at the corners between Fielder and Adrian Beltre should provide some relief past all the stress of the lineup in spots 5-9. Defensively, thankfully, Martin, Choo, Beltre, and Rios will be bright spots in the field.
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| A power-hitting lefty bat is something the Rangers needed. |
Acquiring J.P. Arencibia seemed like a smart move in an attempt to rejuvenate the backstop's career, but as the starter, Arencibia's bat and defense both could prove to be hindering. Soto was brought back to the Rangers, after splitting time last year with A.J. Pierzynski, at the request of Yu Darvish. Arencibia is not the defensive presence that Soto is, and Arencibia is coming off a forgettable couple of seasons. And now Arencibia is the starting catcher. Hopefully the catcher takes after Soto and sees more pitches, draws more walks, and makes more solid contact.
Newly-extended Martin Perez is on a team-friendly deal and will be asked to start 30+ games and most likely 170+ innings at age 23 which is potentially a recipe for disaster in the long term (see: Corbin, Patrick).
But if Joe Saunders can shake an awful spring and Darvish and Harrison can be themselves and just stay healthy, the Rangers' rotation goes from 'the worst' to 'average' pretty quickly. Otherwise, I would expect some midseason trades to occur, involving Mitch Moreland, Alex Rios, and potentially some of Texas' highly-touted prospects such as Joey Gallo, Luis Sardinas, or Jorge Alfaro. It all depends on if and how far out the Rangers are a third of the way through the season.
An optimist's outlook on the Rangers would advise fans to look at the season as a glass half-full. The first half of the season will be painful, but staying in contention will be important as but July the Rangers will have regained the presence of Derek Holland, Profar, and Soto. Each game counts the same, but the second half of the season should prove to be easier on the eyes as the Rangers get three fresh players during the dog days of the season.
But a realist's outlook may predict another August collapse and another September push for the playoffs resulting in a new manager for the 2015 Texas Rangers. Any guesses? I'll give you a hint...he's on the Texas staff already...*see bottom of the following rundown for the answer*
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| Let's just hope Fielder can resist the vast amount of Dallas-Fort Worth BBQ options. |
a. 91-72 (missed PO’s)
b. Signed J.P. Arencibia, Shin-Soo Choo, Shawn Tolleson, Donnie Murphy, Joe Saunders, Chris Gimenez, Seth Rosin
c. Traded Ian Kinsler to DET for 1B Prine Fielder and cash
d. Traded Craig Gentry and RHP Josh Lindblom to OAK for OF Michael Choice
2. Lineup/Rotation
Lineup:
1. Shin-Soo Choo LF
2. Elvis Andrus SS
3. Prince Fielder 1B
4. Adrian Beltre 3B
5. Alex Rios RF
6. Michael Choice/Mitch Moreland DH
7. J.P. Arencibia/Geovany Soto C
8. Leonys Martin CF
9. Donnie Murphy/Josh Wilson 2B
Rotation:
1. Yu Darvish
2. Tanner Scheppers
3. Martin Perez
4. Robbie Ross
5. Matt Harrison
6. Joe Saunders
3. Favorite/Least Favorite
a. Hayden's Favorite– Fielder trade; Perez extension
b. Nick's Favorite– Future of infield
c. Hayden's Least Favorite – Injuries; Back end of rotation
d. Nick's Least Favorite – Prince Fielder trade
4. Impact Player
a. Perez
i. With Perez earning a contact extension, his presence in a depleted rotation will be crucial.
5. Impact Prospect
a. Michael Choice
i. Young, Five tool.
ii. Great Spring Training, Hometown kid
iii. Needs to be comfortable in a platoon role with Moreland for time being.
6. Midseason Status
a. In contention for first place with OAK and perhaps SEA or ANA.
b. Potentially looking for starting C or depth at C
c. Still looking to deal Moreland
7. Bold Predictions
a. 86-76
b. Ron Washington is gone.
c. Trade RHP Nick Tepesch, RHP Wilmer Font, RHP Alec Asher, RHP Cory Burns to CHC for RHP Jeff Samardzija. - fangraphs
d. Trade 2B Rougned Odor, RHP Wilmer Font, and OF Nick Williams to CIN for RHP Mat Latos
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| Meet Tim Bogar. Texas Rangers Bench Coach and bad omen for Ron Washington. |
Podcast Playlist:
"Been a Son" by Nirvana
"Back Down South" by Kings of Leon
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