If the Season Started Today

Sep 24, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto (8) talks to starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) on the mound in the first inning of the game against the Houston Astros at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

The Texas Rangers have had a busy November, and I thought I would take a look and see how the Texas Rangers would look if they started playing baseball tomorrow. We all know that there are more moves to be made this off-season, and the Jon Daniels and his crew are far from finished trying to bring talent to the organization that is ready to play at the major league level. I believe that the team is just a little bit better at this point than they were at this point last season. Here is how it would stack up for me right now.

Rotation:

1. Yu Darvish

2. Derek Holland

3. Martin Perez

4. Matt Harrison

5. Nick Tepesch

That’s right, I would have Tepesch as the fifth starter right now. We all know Yu and Holland would be one and two, After the rookie year Perez had I would like to see him at no. 3, and I think Tepesch has earned a chance to try again unless he is beat out in spring training by Robbie Ross or of course if the Texas Rangers acquire someone else. I left Ogando out because I believe that he is more suited for the bull pen. IF Harrison is healthy again, he needs to be in there as well.

Bull Pen

Long Man: Alexi Ogando

Middle Relievers:

Neil Cotts

Jason Frasor

Robbie Ross

Ross Wolf

Tanner Scheppers

Joakim Soria

Closer: Neftali Feliz

I would definitely try to see if Feliz could regain the All-Star closer type stuff he had in 2010 and 2011. I am a fan of both Frasor and Wolf, and I think the Texas Rangers would be suited to put both those guys in at the moment. Of course there is a chance that Ross could be a starter and also that a trade could happen with one or more of these guys, but as I mentioned, this is an “if the season started today” list.

Batting Order:

1. Leonys Martin – CF

2. Elvis Andrus – SS

3. Alex Rios – RF

4. Prince Fielder – 1B

5. Adrian Beltre – 3B

6. Mitch Moreland – DH

7. Geovany Soto – C

8. Craig Gentry – LF

9. Jurickson Profar – 2B

I truly believe that Mitch Moreland will not be here when the season starts, but if it did start tomorrow, I think that he and Fielder would switch out at first base and DH. I may be way off base here, but that is what I would do. On the bench to round out the 25 man roster would be backup catcher Robison Chirinos, backup outfielder Engle Beltre and backup infielder Adam Rosales. This would be the team that the Rangers would field if the season started tomorrow.

I thought it might be fun to talk about it since a calendar month is turning over tomorrow. Should be a fun December to be a Texas Rangers fan, we will see what happens at the GM meetings coming up later next month that will totally change my roster.