Texas Rangers: 5 biggest decisions to make this offseason

2 of 6

This will be no cakewalk offseason for the Texas Rangers. Important decisions need to be made not only for the 2019 season, but also for 2020 and beyond.

After a very disappointing 2018 season, the Texas Rangers have their work cut out this offseason to ensure a repeat does not occur in 2019. The problem is Texas is in a worse spot now than they were at this time last year.

Last offseason, the Rangers had two default starting pitchers assigned to the rotation (Cole Hamels and Martin Perez). That doesn’t seem like much (it isn’t), but they sadly only have one arm assigned to the rotation at the moment (Mike Minor). I don’t study every offseason for every team; however, I doubt I’m going out on a limb by saying a single-man rotation entering an offseason is a very rare occurrence.

In addition, this will likely be the first offseason in quite some time that Adrian Beltre is not penciled into the Ranger roster. All arrows point towards retirement for the future Hall of Famer, and he’s technically a free agent anyway.

There is one glaring positive this offseason compared to last year’s. That being the Rangers have an abundance of young talent that will make matters easy for them once entering camp. Though, they may have too much young talent. 2018 rookies like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Willie Calhoun are primed for consistent playing time next season. The issue is neither have a guaranteed spot.

Oh, and don’t forget about replacing manager Jeff Banister.

Let’s take this odd offseason dynamic and attempt to simplify it. Here are the five biggest decisions the Texas Rangers will have to make…

ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 5: General Manager Jon Daniels of the Texas Rangers speaks with members of the press before the American League Wild Card game against the Baltimore Orioles on October 5, 2012 at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Who takes over for Jeff Banister?

First thing’s first, GM Jon Daniels needs to decide on a manager. He’s now conducted eight interviews, though none have reportedly gone to a second round as of yet. Daniels interviewed Jayce Tingler, Brandon Hyde, Joe Espada and Joe Girardi last week. Already this week, he’s interviewed Rocco Baldelli, David Bell, Dusty Wathan and Don Wakamatsu.

You can read about each candidate’s background here.

It will be interesting to see which direction Daniels goes in deciding on a manager. Banister was let go due to a lack of communication and an “old school” approach. The majority of the candidates interviewed have more of a player-friendly reputation with a background in player development.

With the Texas Rangers currently in a rebuild, it would not be the least bit surprising if the organization opts for an analytically minded, player’s manager type. Moreover, someone who can relate to and provide noteworthy feedback to the organization’s analytical department. Also, someone who can relate to the youth on the major league roster and in the minors.

Given the ongoing success of the Boston Red Sox, Boston’s manager, Alex Cora, seems to be the measuring stick for teams searching for a new dugout leader. Cora is 42 years old and only seven years removed from his playing career. He appears to be well-liked by ownership, his players, his coaching staff, and the media.

Whether the Texas Rangers hire a Cora-esque manager or not, they need to make a decision soon so they can move onto other pressing offseason concerns.

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 20: Mike Minor #36 of the Texas Rangers throws a pitch during the first inning of a game against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 20, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

What can be done to fill, and improve the starting rotation?

This offseason isn’t just about filling the 2019 roster, it’s also about building future promising rosters. There’s a lot to swallow here…

The Rangers could take a similar approach from last offseason’s playbook and sign a few iffy placeholders until a few prospects emerge. You know, like they did with Bartolo Colon, Yovani Gallardo, Doug Fister and Matt Moore. That experiment didn’t work out too well.

They could take the patient approach and let young arms like Yohander Mendez, Ariel Jurado, and Adrian Sampson pitch in the rotation. As a result, they’ll see how each player progresses with increased opportunity and they’ll save money by not spending in free agency.

Or, the Texas Rangers could take an aggressive approach in the market and sign two or three well-known, established arms. The key to this approach would be multi-year signings. Texas is not expected to contend next season so there is no point in signing any quality arms to one-year deals. Quality free agent pitchers will not be looking for one-year deals anyway.

The starting pitching market has some depth, but it is lacking aces. In my opinion, it sets up perfectly for the Rangers. They won’t be tempted to spend big on an ace; therefore, they can allot a safe amount of money to sign starters that won’t necessarily fight for 20 wins, but ones that will certainly win more ballgames than they lose.

Pitchers like Patrick Corbin, Dallas Keuchel and Trevor Cahill would fit the bill. The Rangers have spending money; they need to use it wisely–help for the now and for the future.

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 13: Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers stands on the field after he lines out with a runner on base to end the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Is it time to move on from Delino DeShields in center?

The center field position was in question for much of the 2018 season and it remains in question as 2019 approaches. Delino DeShields was terrible this past season. The speedster posted a .310 OBP, hit .216 and swiped only 20 bags. While he does play a good outfield, the Rangers can’t afford him another 100+ games next season if he continues to be so vastly unproductive at the plate.

Or can they?

DeShields may actually benefit from the lack of center field options Texas has. Really, Deshields is Texas’ only option. Nomar Mazara can’t play center field, Shin-Soo Choo can’t play center field and Willie Calhoun can’t play center field. Joey Gallo did a fine job in center in his few opportunities, but it doesn’t seem as if the organization wants to make that his permanent position.

If none of those guys can play center field then the job either goes to DeShields, a prospect, a free agent, or an acquisition. The chances of the Texas Rangers trading for a center fielder are very slim considering they already have an outfield surplus. And they’ll probably focus their free agent money on pitching, not on a starting center fielder. My guess is prospect Scott Heineman battles for the job with DeShields come spring training. Heineman was stellar between Double-A and Triple-A in 2018. MLB Pipeline named him the Rangers’ minor league player of the year.

Personally, I’d like to see Gallo play up the middle for the majority of the year. He’s young enough, fast enough, and skilled enough to handle the position.

What cannot be debated is the importance of the center field position. The Rangers better find improved production there next season.

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 28: Delino DeShields #3 of the Texas Rangers and Joey Gallo #13 and Nomar Mazara #30 celebrate their victory in the outfield during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 28, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

How will the Rangers trim the outfield?

Staying on topic, Texas has five outfielders that are capable of playing everyday. Six if you want to consider Heineman as a legitimate outfield candidate. As you may know, only three outfield spots can be filled in baseball. You can only hope the new manager doesn’t have to deal with the headache of trying to fit all five or six guys into the lineup on some sort of a routine basis.

Unless one is traded, Nomar Mazara and Joey Gallo will play everyday. That takes care of two positions, likely right field and left field. Assuming Beltre retires, Choo will be named the primary DH. That leaves Calhoun, DeShields and Heineman.

Is there a way to contend in 2019?

For those of you who are anxious to get back to competing in 2019, you may want to take a deep breath and reassess. As big of a hole as the organization has dug for its starting pitching, contending in 2019 would be a miracle. With that said, the Texas Rangers offense should be quite good next season, and the bullpen should be okay.

Still, there are too many uncertainties. Which version of Rougned Odor will show up in 2019? Can Mazara become an all-star caliber player? Will Jurickson Profar follow-up on his impressive 2018? Can Elvis Andrus return to his 2017 self?

The offense has outstanding potential, but potential isn’t enough to warrant wild offseason spending. If Jon Daniels wants to pursue Clayton Kershaw (if he opts out of his contract) then he’d be making a statement towards 2019 competitiveness. Though, it would take more than a Kershaw signing to jolt this team into contention.

The rest of the American League needs to be considered as well. Actually, there’s really no need to look any further than the American League West. The Astros will once again be the team to beat. Oakland will only improve, and Seattle and Los Angeles are in better form to contend next season than the Texas Rangers.

Related Story. Should the Rangers make a move for Sonny Gray?. light

Point being, it would be a steep climb to even fight for third place in the West next year. There is always hope in the wildcard race, but it would not be surprising if the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics rematch in the AL wildcard game in the 2019 postseason.

So really, this is an easy decision. Play for 2020, not 2019.

Home / Texas Rangers News