Texas Rangers: Who wins the second base job when Elvis Andrus returns?

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With Elvis Andrus roughly a week away from returning, the Texas Rangers will soon be forced to decide on an everyday second baseman. Will it be Rougned Odor, Jurickson Profar, or Isiah Kiner Falefa?

The Texas Rangers have a situation on their hands. Well, not yet, but they will in about seven days. All-star shortstop Elvis Andrus is expected to be activated from the 60-day DL in a week. While Andrus’ return to the field will improve the ball club on all fronts, it will also force management’s hand to make a significant lineup change, and maybe even a roster change.

Couple quick notes from Jon Daniels conference call:

--He won't say word "rebuilding" but acknowledges that this is going to take time.
-- Do not expect Elvis Andrus back at start of next week; he's likely to start rehab then.
--Rangers expect to sign all of top 10 draft picks
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) June 7, 2018

The trend as of late displays Jurickson Profar at shortstop and Rougned Odor at second base. Obviously, Andrus will take over reign at SS once back, so what does that mean for Profar? Does Profar move to left field? Oh wait, that is where Joey Gallo and Shin-Soo Choo are splitting time. Could he DH? He could, but not regularly. The DH is now shared by Choo and Adrian Beltre. Maybe he could move to second base? But then what happens with Odor?

Unlike Profar, Odor is confined to one position–second base. Odor could slot into DH from time to time, though, he’s not swinging the bat nearly well enough to see any consistent time there.

Not to be forgotten is rookie Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Kiner-Falefa has been a true surprise this season. He has already done way more than what the Rangers had asked of him when being called up. So, where does the deserving rookie stand in this inevitable cluster?

Enough questions! Let’s give some answers…

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