Texas Rangers: Three Ways to Improve The Team This Off-Season

Step 1: Re-Sign Yu Darvish

Some veterans like outfielder Carlos Gomez and starter Andrew Cashner could have new homes in 2018. There is one veteran player the Rangers need to chase after this off-season and his name is Yu Darvish.

The Rangers traded Darvish to the Dodgers on July 31 for a package of three top prospects. The best part is that the Rangers could potentially get Darvish back this off-season. This trade could end up being a win-win for the Rangers.

After 2017 Darvish is set to become a free agent. The 30-year-old starter will be looking for a deal around approximately $150-200 million. That seems like a large price to pay, but he’s worth every dollar of the deal.

Through parts of five MLB seasons Darvish is 53-39 with a 3.38 ERA and 970 strikeouts. He’s a four-time All-Star that would be considered the “ace” on almost every organization.

The Rangers don’t have the money to re-sign all their pending free agents. They need to focus on re-signing Darvish because he’s the most important piece. Lefty Cole Hamels can’t do it all, and if the Rangers are serious about winning in 2018 then they need Darvish.

The starting rotation has done well, but without Darvish it’s taken a big hit. He’s the leader this team needs in its pitching staff. Even if the Rangers must overpay to get Darvish back in Arlington they need to do it.

Texas has the money to get Darvish back in Arlington long-term. His presence along could attract other free agents to Arlington in 2018. The first task this off-season must be getting Darvish back.

Step 2: Acquire a legitimate closer

The Rangers bullpen has an a disaster this season. The lack of consistency from the pen has likely cost Texas a chance at the postseason. This off-season Jon Daniels needs to focus on fixing this bullpen.

Both relievers Sam Dyson and Matt Bush were unable to hold down the closer role. They collectively went 10 of 19 in save situations. Dyson was traded to San Francisco, and Bush was put back into a much more comfortable middle relief role.

The team is now going closer by committee until someone proves they can hold down the job. Lefty Alex Claudio has been getting most of the opportunities lately. He’s 5 of 7 in save chances and has done well considering the small sample size.

This off-season the Rangers must make a strong push for a legitimate closer. A pitcher like Wade Davis or Zach Britton. Whether it’s free agency or via trade the Rangers need to find a way to acquire an accomplished closing pitcher.

The rest of the bullpen will fall into place after that. The Rangers have a solid young reliever core with Claudio, Keone Kela, and Jose Leclerc. Adding a legitimate closing pitcher could be the final piece to the puzzle for the Rangers.

Step 3: Finding consistent hitters

It is hard to deny that most of the Rangers offense this season has come from the home run ball. The team lives and dies on the long ball, and it’s slowly killing the team. It’s time for a change and it needs to happen fast.

The Rangers do have three players with 20 home runs or more. They also have four players with 100 plus strikeouts and less than 50 walks. It’s hard to play consistently when the team is living off home runs and streaky hitters.

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As of right now the Rangers are sixth in the MLB in total strikeouts. The team is second in home runs, but 25th in OBP. The Rangers are tied with the Oakland Athletics for 29th in team batting average at .240 this season.

Bringing in players like Ben Zobrist that can take walks and get on base is a must this off-season. The Rangers have stacked their team with power, but it’s hard to win games off solo home runs. The organization needs to add players that can get on base.

Players like Rougned Odor and Joey Gallo are always going to be home run or nothing players. Texas needs to be able to build around them and find guys that can get on base in front of them. The organization will continue to struggle if every player is always swinging for the fences.

Next: Which Rangers Have Been The Biggest Surprises?

It’s time for a change in Arlington, and hopefully Jon Daniels can improve this organization over the off-season. Making three or four additions over the off-season could take the Rangers to a whole new level in 2018.