The Texas Rangers’ Outfield Has a Ton of Questions With 2017 on the Horizon

If the general premise of this sounds familiar, it’s because we’ve talked about this before.

On the heels of the Texas Rangers returning to the playoffs in 2015, I noticed they had similar roster uncertainties in advance of 2016. All they did once Opening Day rolled around was win the American League West with ease by posting an AL-best 95-67 record.

While they proved to be masters of winning one-run games, having just a +10 run differential made some wonder if they’d be able to hang in the playoffs. And before there was an answer, they were packing up for the winter after getting swept by the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS.

The 2017 season is fast approaching, and the AL West will be interesting to follow. After all, Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto won’t stop making trades and the Houston Astros are doing whatever they can to make Sports Illustrated look like a bunch of geniuses.

The Rangers still have some roster questions to answer ahead of Spring Training — like, is this Mike Napoli reunion happening or not? — but one area that’s set is the outfield.

Texas will go to battle with 21-year-old Nomar Mazara in left, Carlos Gomez in center and Shin-Soo Choo manning right. This looks good on paper, but it’s far from a sure thing judging from each player’s recent history.

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Texas Rangers Prospect Promotion, Joey Gallo, Could Be Elite In Fantasy Baseball

The Texas Rangers have called up top prospect, Joey Gallo, after Drew Stubbs and Shin-Soo Choo landed on the disabled list. Gallo could be a very versatile asset to the Rangers’ lineup following his promotion. He is known for his extreme power production, but he also provides a lot of value and versatility in the field.

 

Throughout the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Gallo has played left field, third base, and first base. Based on the loss of Shin-Soo Choo and Drew Stubbs, Gallo could see significant time in the outfield.

 

He could also see time at first base if they Rangers decide to put Mitch Moreland in the outfield. Regardless of where he plays in the field, Gallo’s bat could be a huge upgrade to the Rangers’ lineup.

 

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MLB Power Rankings: Week 1 Results – April 2016

Hunter Stokes (BBBA Featured Writer) Follow @stokes_Hunter21

Follow The BBBA On Twitter Follow @baseballblogs

Disclaimer:  We based these rankings on best strength to win the World Series.  Therefore some teams that have an easier division to play in, with the least path of resistance to the postseason overall may be ranked a lot higher than a club who is equally talented, yet may play in a juggernaut of a division.

Team – Rank (W – L Record) (Last week ranking in parenthesis)

(1) Chicago Cubs  (5 – 1)  (1):  The Cubs weathered the loss of their slugging OF Kyle Schwarber this week – by taking 5 of the 1st 6 games played, and all on the road.  After these 6 contests – the squad is outscoring their opponents 42 – 15.

Love the idea of setting the table with Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist 1-2-3 prior to the boppers coming after in Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant.

Having the 2015 NL ROY may help Rizzo win the NL MVP this season.  He had 10 RBI this week – including a 6 RBI effort.

Jake Arrieta is already 2 – 0, and this team shows no signs of slowing down.

(2)  KC Royals  (4 – 1) (2):  This club just knows how to win with the dominant Bullpen and clutch hitting.  They have only yielded 11 runs thus far, and this team has not even hit huge strides on offense yet.

The AL Central is better in 2016 there is no question, however KC will be ready to take them on.  There may not be a more filthy Late Inning Reliever right now than Wade Davis.  Edinson Volquez has picked up right where he left off in 2015 as well.

Texas, You Are Dreaming If You Think The Current Starting Rotation Will Be Good Enough In 2016!

The Rangers rose from the AL West ashes in 2015 and won their first Division Title in 4 years. It came off the heels of 2 injury riddled seasons that plagued any chance to make the playoffs. The club has about $150 MIL worth of salaries to pay in 2016 but should consider spending out another $10 – $15 MIL for one more piece in the rotation. They have a need for a Starting Pitcher and could use a breakout campaign from either Joey Gallo or Jurickson Profar to add depth for a mid year trade to acquire a proven playoff Starter. The club will also hope Yu Darvish can come back at full strength.

Hunter Stokes (Featured Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21

Follow The BBBA On Twitter Follow @baseballblogs

I am quite perplexed on the thought process of the Texas Rangers this offseason.  I mean, talk about resting on your laurel’s fellas!

This club was quite lucky to have run down the Houston Astros in 2015 when it did for the AL West. It took renaissance years from Shin-Soo Choo and Prince Fielder, and a hot Adrian Beltre over the last few months to get it done.

While I praised them big time for the addition of Cole Hamels at the Trade Dealine in 2015, I am giving them guff now for not surrounding him with ample playoff caliber pitching this winter.

Yu Darvish is a world class talent, but he is just coming back from Tommy John Surgery, and may take at least 6 weeks to begin the year.

Derek Holland is slated up high on your staff even though he has towed the hill just 13 games over the last 3 campaigns.

Texas Rangers Payroll In 2016 + Contracts Going Forward

The Rangers rose from the AL West ashes in 2015 and won their first Division Title in 4 years. It came off the heels of 2 injury riddled seasons that plagued any chance to make the playoffs. The club has about $140 MIL worth of salaries to pay in 2016 but should consider spending out another $10 – $15 MIL. They have a need for a Starting Pitcher and could use a breakout campaign from either Joey Gallo or Jurickson Profar to add depth for mid year trade to acquire a proven playoff Starter. The club will also hope Yu Darvish can come back at full strength from Tommy John Surgery. While they have 5 of the top 46 contracts of ALL – Time on their salary, 3 of them came via trade where the former team is picking up some of the dough.

Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer) Follow @stokes_hunter21

Follow The MLB Reports On Twitter Follow @mlbreports

The Texas Rangers have 5 of the top 50 MLB Contracts of ALL – Time on their roster with Prince Fielder (10th), Cole Hamels (32nd), Shin-Soo Choo (37th), Josh Hamilton (42nd) and Elvis Andrus (tied for 46th).

Yes 3 of them came over via trade after chunks were already off, and their former team is still subsidizing some of the money going forward as well, but the Rangers are still already at over $120 MIL already committed in total team salary for 2016.

We have also heard grumblings that the team will look to extend Adrian Beltre this week in order to have him finish out his potential Hall Of Fame Career in Texas.  This won’t hurt the bottom line in 2016 – but will also put some dough on the future of the teams finances should it occur.