Texas Rangers: Is David Dahl a potential extension candidate?

I know what you’re thinking: an extension for David Dahl sounds utterly ridiculous, especially when he hasn’t even played a game in a Texas Rangers uniform yet.

The truth is, though, David Dahl could be a perfect extension candidate for the Texas Rangers assuming he’s healthy and plays well in 2021.

Dahl, set to turn 27 during the season, is the definition of a potential comeback player.

Having only played 100 games or more in a season once, the former Rockie inked a one-year, incentive laden free agent deal with the Rangers during the 2020 Winter Meetings.

That one season in which he reached the 100 game plateau? 2019, the same year he sported a career-best .877 OPS en route to an NL All-Star appearance, the first of his career, and the only one to date.

It’s worth noting that Joey Gallo, who recruited Dahl to Texas this off-season, also found All-Star caliber success in 2019.

David Dahl might be the perfect extension candidate for the Texas Rangers.

The first thing that strikes me about Dahl is that he’s just 26 (soon to be 27 years old). Theoretically, he’s entering the prime of his career.

Injuries have prevented him from putting it altogether over 162 games, but when he’s been on the field, the former first round selection in 2012 has been superb in the field and with the bat.

How often do these types of high upside players who are in their prime, regardless of injury history, hit the market?

Not very.

David Dahl was thought of as a potential franchise cornerstone in Colorado. That’s why it shocked baseball when the Rockies non-tendered him last December, with GM Jeff Bridich even calling the decision to release the former All-Star “tough.”

The Texas Rangers don’t have much outfield depth as it stands currently, and many of their best outfield prospects including Bubba Thompson, Steele Walker, Evan Carter and Bayron Lora still years away from making an impact at the game’s highest level.

Meanwhile, Dahl is 26, entering the supposed prime of his career and a proven all-around player when healthy.

Players don’t make All-Star games for no reason.

At the end of the day, the Rangers should wait to extend Dahl until he’s demonstrated his worth to the team. The injury history necessitates this.

However, Dahl’s relative youth, his undeniable talent and the lack of upper level outfield depth within the organization might just make him a perfect long-term fit with the Texas Rangers.