Texas Rangers 3-point checklist to conclude the season

The Texas Rangers need to play Leody Taveras and Nick Solak regularly down the stretch

It’s make or break time for Leody Taveras and Nick Solak in the last month of the season. We know this because both were optioned to the minors for extended periods this year. But both have since returned with success.

The Rangers have a lot of infield prospect depth that will bubble up to the surface, as well as some intriguing outfield prospects, not to mention the expectation that the team is expected to spend in the off-season.

So time is ticking for Taveras and Solak. That means they should be playing regularly down the stretch to see if they’ve earned looks at 2022 spring training.

In a sense, how both players perform in September will determine Texas’ free agency strategy. Do they need to trade for or sign a franchise center fielder? Do they need to move Isiah Kiner-Falefa to second base to accommodate a big name shortstop, pushing Solak out? Or perhaps Solak plays some outfield.

The only way to answer these questions is to let Leody Taveras and Nick Solak play consistently down the stretch. It seems the team is doing that already, and that should continue.