Texas Rangers: Top Three Needs to Address this Offseason

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 04: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI single off Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning in game two of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 04, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

If the Texas Rangers hope to compete for a playoff spot in 2020, what are the top three needs they must address this offseason?

There’s no question that the Texas Rangers have a few needs to address if they want to be a legit contender in the future. However, in 2020, eyes are likely more on being competitive and fighting for a Wild Card spot than challenging the Astros for the AL West title. If they hope to accomplish that and have a sniff at bringing playoff baseball to Arlington in the first season at Globe Life Field, there are three needs that have to be addressed this offseason.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 04: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after an RBI single off Jack Flaherty #22 of the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning in game two of the National League Division Series at SunTrust Park on October 04, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Third Base

In the wake of Adrian Beltre’s retirement at the end of 2018 the Rangers opted to try and use a committee to fill the void at the hot corner last season. That didn’t pan out all that well with production at the plate and defensively seeing a massive drop-off. This offseason is the chance to get that fixed for the long-term. Texas is in a tricky situation as third base is probably their deepest position in the minors right now with Josh Jung, Davis Wendzel and Sherten Apostel all looking like future big leaguers but a patchwork job at the spot next year isn’t going to work.

There are three legitimate free agents that could make a big impact for Texas at third next year and the Rangers likely need to lock up one of them. They also all come at different tiers with Anthony Rendon in the near-MVP category, Josh Donaldson in the short-term production category and Moustakas in the impact on a budget category. I fully expect one of these guys to play in Arlington next season and knocking out this missing piece would provide a significant boost to Texas next year.

Prediction: Josh Donaldson

While inking one of the best players in the game, Anthony Rendon, to a long-term deal would be a welcomed change of pace for Rangers fans, it doesn’t seem like a move Texas would make. Not because of the dollars as much as the length of the contract. Rendon is likely getting in the neighborhood of seven years on a deal this offseason and the Rangers won’t be eager to be the club that gives him that. With a number of top prospects ready to fill the third base spot for years to come, Texas opts for the short-term deal in Donaldson who still becomes one of the best players on the team.

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 04: Starting pitcher Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets throws to a Washington Nationals batter in the first inning at Nationals Park on September 04, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Starting Pitching

The Rangers have the foundation built in their starting rotation with Mike Minor and Lance Lynn both coming off tremendous seasons. Despite that, Texas has to look to add another impact starter that can create a legitimate top half of the rotation that can compete in a playoff chase. There are tons of options out there to choose from and plenty that would be an instant upgrade on the in-house options Texas currently has. The Rangers have a chance to sign a true ace or to go for a third starter and either option works well.

The top tier options out there are far and away Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg, both of whom are Cy Young caliber starters. They’d both become the ace in Texas and give the Rangers a formidable trio of starters to push for the postseason. However, the Rangers don’t feel like natural fits for either guy who will be looking to sign for big money, long-term and for a winner. The next tier of starter though still carries some tremendous options in Madison Bumgarner, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Zack Wheeler. Assuming Texas misses out on the big fish, one of these guys could be a very welcomed consolation.

Prediction: Zack Wheeler

While Ryu is the free agent that I’ve seen Texas linked with most right now, I would guess that Texas might opt for the right hander Wheeler instead. Texas is pretty lefty heavy in rotation options and adding Wheeler could break that up. Wheeler is also the youngest of the aforementioned group not turning 30 until May of next season. He has significant injury concerns having missed all of 2015 and 2016 as well as part of 2017 with arm issues that included Tommy John surgery. Texas has shown they aren’t against taking risks on guys with injury issues and the upside in Wheeler is near ace stuff. His 2019 wasn’t stellar but it wasn’t bad either and he has room to grow. At worst, Texas might overpay for a third starter. At best, they get a heck of a bargain on a frontline starter who isn’t even 30 yet.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 02: Charlie Morton #50 of the Tampa Bay Rays is congratulated by Travis d’Arnaud #37 at the end of the fifth inning of the American League Wild Card Game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on October 02, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Catcher

Catching for the Rangers last season was a bit comical in terms of production. After letting Robinon Chirinos walk his way down to Houston where he played in a World Series, the Rangers tried to piece the position together with Jeff Mathis, Tim Federowicz and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Late in the year Jose Trevino stepped in and added a glimmer of hope that the Rangers could have a starting catcher in house for 2020. However, Trevino isn’t operating with a huge sample size so placing all your hopes on him seems a bit naive.

Mathis is still under contract but to say he was bad last season would be too kind. Texas has to find some offensive production from that position and I’m not sure they have it within the organization. Long-term Texas has Sam Huff who looks like an elite hitter but he’s a few levels away from the big leagues and even then there’s no guarantee he sticks behind the plate. Until then, the Rangers need to look to the free agent market. Yasmani Grandal highlights the class that has more depth than star power. A Robinson Chirinos reunion isn’t out of the question but you have to wonder if there’s a twinge of bad blood there after it seems Chirinos and the Rangers front office parted ways on not the best of terms. Other notable names available are Jason Castro, Travis d’Arnaud and Alex Avila.

Prediction: Travis d’Arnaud

While I would love to see Chirinos back in Texas catching on Opening Day at Globe Life Field, I think he is probably in the tier that contenders are looking at and it seems he could even head back to Houston. On the other hand, d’Arnaud is coming off a soldi 2019 season where he hit .251 split between three different clubs and had an OPS of .782 with 16 homers. Not All-Star level stuff but far more productive than what Texas got out of the position last season. He’s a right-handed bat that Texas desperately could use in their lefty-heavy lineup and will be just 31 come Opening Day. That fits the Rangers age profile meaning he could help fill the spot for a few years before Huff and other Texas catching prospects are ready to try their hand in Arlington. He shouldn’t break the bank and would be a pretty big upgrade in the lineup.

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