Feb 25, 2013; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers shortstop Jurickson Profar (top) readies during the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Heading into 2013, it was speculated that the Rangers may consider using Jurickson Profar as the utility infielder. This was a strange idea, as it would obviously stunt Profar’s development as compared to him playing every day in Triple-A, and earlier today, Jon Heyman reported via twitter (link), that the Rangers are looking to acquire a UIF, thusly negating any notion of Profar being used as the team’s UIF.

Currently, it appears that Jeff Baker will make the team, given his strong Spring, but Baker is not able to play SS, and that is a problem. As it stands now, the bench would be as follows:

• OF-Craig Gentry/Leonys Martín
• 3B/2B/COF-Jeff Baker
• C-Geovany Soto

Externally, the Rangers do appear to have some options, as utility infielders aren’t exactly a rare commodity, and earlier today, it was reported that the Astros were looking to trade Tyler Greene, but his bat and glove aren’t very inspiring. Other than Greene, the only other visible option is Ryan Theriot. Theriot remains unsigned but is reportedly still looking to play, given the right offer. Offensively, Theriot has a career wRC+ of 85, and as a UIF who primarily plays in the middle infield, the Rangers could definitely do worse. Defensively, Theriot has a career UZR of -5.1 in 4,454 innings. As a comparison, former Rangers’ UIF, Andrés Blanco holds a UZR of 3.7 at SS in 751.1 innings.

In conclusion, the Rangers are making the obvious choice to start Profar in Triple-A by looking at external options to fill the UIF void. In a perfect universe, the Rangers would acquire a UIF whose strongest tool is his glove at both SS and 2B. How well this player hits is not the primary concern, hell it may not even be the secondary concern. Ryan Theriot is an average middle infielder, which sounds good as a potential UIF, but defensively at SS, I’d at least like to hope that the Rangers could do better. I am sure that here are many external options to fill the void of UIF on the Rangers’ bench, but only time will tell as to whom the Rangers are looking to acquire.

The most Alberto Gonzalez photo ever. (Photo: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE)

But nothing this team does is conventional. Alberto Gonzalez was designated for assignment in a move that isn’t really surprising considering Gonzalez was, well, never used. What is surprising is that the Rangers are going to go with a bench of Craig Gentry, Mike Olt and Geovany Soto which means that Michael Young is their DH/Utility Man.

DH/Utility Man was probably a phrase never used before in the history of man kind, because DH is the exact opposite of utility man. You see, once a DH is in the game he can only DH. He can’t go into the field. He can’t show off his “utility”. That’s why I don’t understand using a catcher as DH. Basically, if something happens where you need your DH in the field, you have to have your pitcher bat. Which isn’t that big of a deal until you realize you only have three men on the bench to pinch hit.

A three-man bench never makes sense. I like a lot of what the Rangers organization has done, and in some weird ways most decisions can be justified. This one, quite simply cannot be.

The only thing that I can see this doing is opening a spot on the 40-man roster for Jurickson Profar to make his major league debut once the bullpen is rested. In the mean time, this move, even if it is only for one game is as stupid as the decision to have Young at shortstop. And I don’t have to tell you guys how stupid that one is.

June 20, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton (32) high-fives batting coach Scott Coolbaugh (12) after the Rangers beat the San Diego Padres 4-2 at PETCO Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

I wrote a couple of days ago about Alberto Gonzalez and that he would have to be called upon in a big spot and today he came through, with a single to score the Rangers first run. People talk about how pinch hitting is the hardest job in sports. How about going 20 days with two at bats and coming through with an RBI single. Yes, he left three men on base today but come on. Anything this team gets from Gonzalez is a bonus.

Darvish also had a workhorse outing. He fought through eight innings after getting into trouble in the first couple of innings. It was the sight of the World Baseball Classic that really put Darvish on the map and he really settled down and allowed the Rangers bats to get going. Most importantly, he didn’t get flustered after giving up a two-run single to the opposing pitcher that maybe a first baseman not named Michael Young would have gotten to.

I have been really impressed with Darvish. Not only his stuff but his composure. Hard to believe he is only 25 years old and in his first Major League season. With Roy Oswalt coming, maybe he can even learn a thing or two more from a pitcher who has been almost around longer than the rest of the rotation combined.

The Rangers are now on a six game winning streak and are 10-2 in their last 12 games. The team that struggled through an under-.500 May has used the National League to get back their swagger. This team is back to being the team that makes you wonder how they are going to lose. When they play like they have against San Diego and Houston – teams in the bottom tier of the league to be sure – they show just how strong they are from top to bottom and even people who are struggling – Young and Mike Napoli – don’t tend to bring the team down.

Texas now goes home to face the Colorado Rockies for their final three interleague games. They sit at 12-3 right now and while they haven’t been playing the best the National League has to offer, they are winning teams they should be beating.