Texas Rangers Opening Day 25 Man Roster (Potential)

A look at the potential 25-man roster for the Texas Rangers come Opening Day 2016.

Lineup:

1. Delino Deshields Jr. CF
2. Shin Soo Choo, RF
3. Prince Fielder, DH
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
5. Ian Desmond, LF
6. Mitch Moreland, 1B
7. Rougned Odor, 2B
8. Elvis Andrus, SS
9. Robinson Chirinos, C

Bench Players:

1. Chris Giminez, C
2. Jurickson Profar, SS/2B
3. Hanser Alberto, Utility
4. Ryan Rua, Outfield

Pitching Rotation:

1. Cole Hamels, LHP
2. Derek Holland, LHP
3. Martin Perez, LHP
4. Colby Lewis, RHP
5. Chi Chi Gonzales, RHP

Bullpen:

Sam Freeman LHP

Andrew Faulkner LHP

Keone Kela RHP

Tom Wilhelmson RHP

Jake Diekman, LHP

Sam Dyson, RHP

Shawn Tolleson, CP

Things to keep in mind:

Signing Ian Desmond gives the Rangers 3 options for an opening day shortstop along with Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar. Andrus has been in a steady decline since he signed a contract extension. Profar hasn’t played in two years but that doesn’t mean he has lost it. He played winter ball and he was one of the top batters during play. The Rangers got many phone calls regarding trading him but they haven’t talked to many teams seriously. Look for them to make a trade near the end of spring training or the first month or two of the season with either Andrus or Profar involved.

Along with having many shortstops, the Rangers have a good amount of above average relievers. The Texas Rangers could add a reliever along with one of the shortstops to sweeten a deal to get another impact player.

Our biggest areas of need are at catcher and another starting pitcher. Yu Darvish does come back in the second or third month of the season but even with him coming back, relying on the group of Lewis, Holland and Perez may be difficult. On any given night they could throw a no hitter or give up six runs in the second and that inconsistency is why the Rangers could trade for another ace quality pitcher.

Finally, how will Ian Desmond respond to left field? Will he transition the way Hanley Ramirez did? Committing errors and having the field affect the way he hits? Or could he be like Alfonso Soriano? Who went from playing in the infield his whole career, to playing in the outfield after age 30. Both Ramirez and Soriano made the transition after hitting age 30, the age that Desmond is now, but Ramirez struggled heavily and Soriano won an MVP. Desmond certainly has a power bat so it will be interesting to see how he develops in the outfield.

More from Nolan Writin'

• 3 Texas Rangers outfield trade targets not named Bryan Reynolds
• Did Jacob deGrom really mean what he said at his Texas Rangers press conference?
• Where do Texas Rangers prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker stand after the DeGrom signing?
• Martin Perez accepting the qualifying offer looking like solid deal for the Rangers
• 4 outfielders the Texas Rangers can still pursue this winter