Are The Rangers Ready?

Sep 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Yu Darvish (11) reacts to a called third strike in the fifth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Daniels said after the Winter Meetings Friday that he feels the Rangers don’t have any “big moves” left this off-season. He believes that the team is built mostly like it will be come spring training. I have to argue the point in saying that I still feel the Texas Rangers need another outfielder and maybe another bench player/DH. With that in mind, however, lets take a look at how the Rangers are constructed right now.

Pitching- Starters

The Rangers starting rotation is pretty much set, although I would not be really upset if they got themselves another starting candidate between now and the start of the season. As is, however, the Rangers are going to go with this rotation.

1. Yu Darvish

2. Derek Holland

3. Martin Perez

4. Matt Harrison

5. Alexi Ogando/ColbyLewis/Robbie Ross/Nick Tepesch

Ideal situation would be that Colby would be ready after spring training and take the spot. If Ogando could stay healthy, he would be a great choice as well, but I am just not sure (1) that he can make it through a whole season as a starter and (2) that he is not better suited as a long reliever. Tepesch would be good as a spot starter, but I am still not sure that he is ready to be an everyday starter in the bigs. Ross may just win a spot in spring training, but I have a feeling he is also going to stay in the pen.

Bull Pen

As of right now, the pen looks to be shaping up like this:

Neftali Feliz (CL)

Tanner Scheppers

Joakim Soria

Robbie Ross

Neal Cotts

Michael Kirkman/Cory Burns

Joseph Ortiz/Matt West

Not sure who is going to get in from the depth chart on the official Texas Rangers website, but this is how I see the Rangers go forward. Also not sure who the closer will be, but I as I have said before (see here) I think it will be Feliz.

Offense/Defense

Catcher – Geovany Soto

First Base – Prince Fielder

Second Base – Jurickson Profar

Short Stop – Elvis Andrus

Third Base – Adrian Beltre

Right Field – Alex Rios

Center Field – Leonys Martin

Left Field – Michael Choice

Designated Hitter – Mitch Moreland

Bench Players:

Adam Rosales

J.P. Arencibia

Engel Beltre/Jim Adduci

So does this team inspire you to think the Rangers are going to win a championship? Is it the best Texas Rangers team you have ever seen? No, but I do feel like this team is in better shape going into the 2014 season than they were going into the 2013 season. Now we wait until February to see what this team will look like then.