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Texas Rangers Possible Roster Plans When Hunter Pence Returns?

By Cody Smith |
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 04: Hunter Pence #24 of the Texas Rangers hits in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 4, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 04: Hunter Pence #24 of the Texas Rangers hits in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 4, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
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With Hunter Pence expected to return for the Texas Rangers soon, Jon Daniels will have a very tough roster decision looming for the team.

The Texas Rangers are starting to get healthier on an already solid offense, which is going to make some decisions difficult as players near their return to the majors.

Although the Rangers offense has been very good, they still have some players that are slumping on offense, but benefit the team in other areas.

What players could see themselves being sent down? It’s not going to be a pitcher, due to the issues that the Texas Rangers have had with their pitching staff, and it won’t be one of their catchers (though one of them will be optioned upon the return of Isiah Kiner-Falefa). So that leaves four position players that I think could be optioned when Pence is ready to return.

ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 31: Tony Beasley #37 of the Texas Rangers congratulates Delino DeShields #3 for hitting a stand slam in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 31, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – MARCH 31: Tony Beasley #37 of the Texas Rangers congratulates Delino DeShields #3 for hitting a stand slam in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Globe Life Park in Arlington on March 31, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /

Delino DeShields

DeShields has hit .326 over his past 30 games, but he is still a very limited offensive player. He is a great defender in CF, and his speed can be a game changer when he is on base.

On the downside, DeShields is able to be optioned without being lost to another team, so the Rangers may value that more than his defensive skills, and speed, due to the addition of yet another outfielder in Hunter Pence. Joey Gallo and Danny Santana would likely take over in CF if the Rangers decide to option DeShields.

ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 06: Asdrubal Cabrera #14 of the Texas Rangers flips his bat after he is stuck out by Tyler Skaggs #45 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the seventh inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 6, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 06: Asdrubal Cabrera #14 of the Texas Rangers flips his bat after he is stuck out by Tyler Skaggs #45 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the seventh inning of the game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 6, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Asdrubal Cabrera

Cabrera has really struggled over the past month or so. He was hitting .234 (entering Friday’s game) over his past 30 games, and a dismal .137 over his past 15 games. He has been one of the worst defensive third basemen in baseball, as well. Cabrera is also a free agent at the end of the season and is 33 years-old.

Outside of being a veteran in the clubhouse, Cabrera hasn’t really brought much to the table this season and could be replaced by either Danny Santana or Logan Forsythe if the Texas Rangers decided to move on from him.

If the Rangers do decide to move on, they would designate him for assignment, and he would likely leave the organization to join another, whether it be via a trade, or after being released.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 24: Logan Forsythe #41 of the Texas Rangers at bat during a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 24, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 24: Logan Forsythe #41 of the Texas Rangers at bat during a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 24, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Logan Forsythe

Forsythe has been a very pleasant surprise this season, and he is currently hitting .260. He is a great veteran presence and brings great infield versatility to the table. Unfortunately for Forsythe, he has hit .189 over his past 30 games, and .136 over his last seven.

Forsythe has the same dilemma that Cabrera has, in that he will likely join another organization because the Texas Rangers will have to designate him for assignment. Danny Santana would likely fill his role as the Rangers utility man, and probably have a role similar to what Jurickson Profar had.

TEMPE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Ronald Guzman #11 of the Texas Rangers hits a solo home run in the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 28: Ronald Guzman #11 of the Texas Rangers hits a solo home run in the spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium on February 28, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Ronald Guzman

Guzman has really struggled over his last 15 games, hitting just .184. In fact, he has only made it on base twice in his last seven games! He is a good defender, and constantly makes the highlight reels with his splits.

The Rangers can afford to send him down, as he does have a minor league option (unlike Rougned Odor), which could help him work on his swing, and possibly find a groove for the next time an offensive spot opens up. His likely first base replacements would be Danny Santana and Logan Forsythe.

Guzman would probably be the player most likely to be sent down, just because he has an option, and the Rangers have a few players that can fill in for him at first base.

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