Texas Rangers Struggles Could Be Somewhat Easy to Fix

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Trade for a catcher

At this point, the Texas Rangers have to realize that Robinson Chirinos just is not a starting caliber catcher. He may be solid defensively and have a strong arm, but when a team is struggling, having someone that just is not performing at all offensively in the lineup does not help. This is not the Rays of a couple years back when they could hide Jose Molina due to their strong pitching and timely offense.

While the Rangers may actually have an upgrade on the roster already with Carlos Corporan, he has never had more than 210 plate appearances in a season. It is not as though he is a known quantity.

With that in mind, the Rangers should look at making a trade for a catcher. Jarrod Saltalamacchia is available, and likely would not cost much. Likewise, teams like the Astros and the Cubs have a catching logjam, with Jason Castro and Wellington Castillo, respectively, potentially being available.

Yes, there are other teams in need of catching help. However, the Rangers may want to look there for an upgrade in the lineup.

Next: A quick change in the rotation

Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports.

Take Ross Detwiler out of the rotation

To say that Ross Detwiler has struggled this season would be an understatement. His 8.66 ERA and 2.208 WHiP just are not even close to major league capable. When a team is struggling to score runs, like the Texas Rangers are right now, having someone who is essentially throwing batting practice just is not the best way to win ballgames.

Yes, Detwiler is working on a mechanical issue, which he feels may be the cause of his issues. And Detwiler was competent in his last start, allowing two runs in 5.1 innings of work. Yet, it is fair to wonder whether or not this change is the fix to Detwiler’s issues thus far in 2015.

Should he continue to struggle in his next start or two, it is time to remove him from the rotation. Anthony Bass, who has served as a long reliever and essentially the caddy to Detwiler’s implosions, has been solid this year, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.100 WHiP in his 20 innings of work this season. Even though Bass has not started a game since 2012, he deserves a chance.

The Texas Rangers still have an eye towards contending this year. Having a starter who just has not been giving them a chance to win will not help that.

Next: A changing of the guard at closer

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Remove Neftali Feliz from the closer role

There was a time when Neftali Feliz was an All-Star caliber closer, a pitcher who was virtually automatic in the ninth inning. Then he failed to record that final out of the 2011 World Series, leading to the failed attempt at putting him in the rotation. While he was solid last season, Feliz just has not been the same since, even before his arm injury.

Now penciled in as the closer, Feliz has posted a 5.23 ERA and a 1.935 WHiP. While he has two saves, Feliz was unable to preserve the victory two other times. His velocity has been down, and while Feliz is still generating strikeouts, he has been quite hitable this season.

Even though the other candidates in the bullpen have their own flaws, it is time to see what else the Texas Rangers have in the cupboard. Shawn Tolleson may have been the next candidate in line before getting blasted for four runs while recording just two outs on Friday. Perhaps Stolmy Pimentel or Keone Kela can lay a claim to the closer role.

Neftali Feliz had been a good closer for the Texas Rangers. He just is not any longer, and it may be time to wonder if he ever will be.

Next: All we need is just a little patience

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Be patient with the offense

When speaking about the Texas Rangers offense, and the issues therein, there are quite a few places to start. Essentially anyone not named Prince Fielder or Mitch Moreland has been a disaster, and Moreland is currently on the disabled list. It is not a pretty sight.

However, the offense cannot possibly remain this bad all year. Players like Adrian Beltre and Shin-Soo Choo have proven track records and are not that far removed from being All-Stars. Elvis Andrus may not make anyone think of Troy Tulowitzki at the plate, but he is typically around league average. Rougned Odor has displayed improved plate discipline this season, even if it has not manifested itself on the batting line yet. And Josh Hamilton is lurking, waiting to come back as a member of the Rangers.

What the Rangers are facing is simply a matter of a lot of players all hitting a bad stretch at the same time. While it is entirely possible that the Rangers offense just is not what we all thought it was, it just seems unlikely that everyone fell off a cliff at the same exact time. These proven run producers will eventually get back to their normal production. The Rangers just need to be patient.

Maybe it is not the easiest thing to do in sports, but aside from a couple of minor tweaks, the Rangers may not have to do much to get back on track. In this case, patience would be a virtue.

Next: Has Shin-Soo Choo turned a corner?