Projecting The Texas Rangers 2017 Active Roster

With all the buzz about the depth the Texas Rangers have and what they should do with the abundance of players, we’ll take a look at next year’s projected lineup.

Note: This only includes players currently on the Rangers roster or in their minor league system.

Also, expiring contracts are decided upon the likelihood of a resigning.

Starting Rotation

Cole Hamels

Yu Darvish

Derek Holland

Martin Perez

Dillon Tate

Bullpen

Shawn Tolleson

Jake Diekman

Matt Bush

Sam Dyson

Keone Kela

Connor Sadzeck

Andrew Faulkner

Catchers

Robinson Chirinos

Bryan Holaday

First Base

Joey Gallo

Ryan Rua

Second Base

Rougned Odor

Hanser Alberto

Third Base

Adrian Beltre

Hanser Alberto

Shortstop

Jurickson Profar

Hanser Alberto

Left Field

Ryan Cordell

Josh Hamilton

Center Field

Lewis Brinson

Ryan Cordell

Right Field

Nomar Mazara

Ryan Rua

Designated Hitter

Prince Fielder

Looking at this order, you can tell that I expect a very different looking Texas Rangers team next season. I think the Rangers will buy into their young talent and ship away some of the mainstays we’ve seen over the past years or, neglect to resign them in favor of younger, cheaper options.

Elvis Andrus- With the way Andrus has played so far this season, I find it likely that the Texas Rangers find a suitor for the shortstop and trade him away to empty up payroll space and free up a spot for Jurickson Profar.

Mitch Moreland- Moreland is a free agent at the end of the season and with the young talent the Rangers have on the corners, it’s unlikely that he’ll return to Texas in 2017.

Shin-Soo Choo- I’m personally hoping that the Rangers find a suitor for Choo in a trade that doesn’t require them to pay too much of his salary. The Texas Rangers have a plethora of young outfielders and I think Choo’s production doesn’t suit giving him a spot in the order.

Colby Lewis- Lewis is signed through the end of the season but with the pitching talent Texas has, it’s unlikely he’s in a Rangers jersey come 2017.

Delino DeShields- DeShields current contract ends at the end of this season but many don’t think he’ll make it to July on the active roster. In 2017, he very well may be in the organization but likely in Round Rock in my opinion.