Texas Rangers: 5 biggest decisions to make this offseason

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.