Texas Rangers Spring Training: A team defined by uncertainty

The upcoming Texas Rangers campaign won’t be geared toward winning the World Series or reaching the postseason. It won’t be about tallying more victories than PECOTA or Caesars Sportsbook predict.

Yes, they’ll still play to win, but the organization’s primary goal starting with Spring Training is to learn its players. To determine which prospect talents can handle the big leagues and which current big leaguers hold value for future seasons.

2021 is a discovery year for Texas. They must clear up the extensive uncertainty that currently fogs their camp.

Texas Rangers spring impressions: Uncertainty surrounding their best player

The Rangers have officially reached the awkward wait, trade, or extend mark with Joey Gallo. Gallo won a Gold Glove as the team’s right fielder in 2020. He was an All-Star the year before, and he’s amassed 119 home runs in 473 games.

That is the good from Gallo, but there’s also the bad. For instance, his .181 batting average and .378 slugging percentage last season. Additionally, his 1.5 strikeouts per game and .208 batting average across his career.

You might see why Texas is having a difficult time deciding on his future.

Gallo can play his way to a contract extension during his age 27 season. If he flirts with 40 homers and 100 RBIs in the heart of a sup-par lineup, the Rangers should lock him in long-term as they hopefully turn the corner in 2023.

Whether they do extend him or opt to trade him, Texas must make a move on their most talented player’s future ahead of 2022. The longer they waver, the more challenging it will be to build a team identity moving forward.