Texas Rangers: Top Headlines Entering Spring Training

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 27: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 27, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 27: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on April 27, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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Texas Rangers
WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 14: Shawn Kelley #27 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the tenth inning during a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park on April 14, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The Nationals won 3-2 in ten innings. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Who will be the Texas Rangers’ setup man?

The closer role is set in stone, but what about the setup role. A number of candidates are in play, including Chris Martin, Jesse Chavez and Shawn Kelley. Really, it’s anyone’s game. A rookie could pitch well enough to earn the role at some point in the year as well.

There is no favorite to be the setup man. The Texas Rangers will evaluate all relievers throughout the spring to determine which one is worthy of the position to start the season.

The setup role is an important one, though it is flexible. It’s always beneficial for a team to have a routine setup man, but the Rangers don’t have that luxury. There is not one obvious option and there is not one weak option.

If I were to predict a setup man on opening day, I would weigh toward either Shawn Kelley or Jesse Chavez.