Texas Rangers: The 2022 Opening Day dream lineup

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OAKLAND, CA – SEPTMEBER 21: Starling Marte #2 of the Oakland Athletics hits a home run during the game against the Seattle Mariners at RingCentral Coliseum on September 21, 2021 in Oakland, California. The Mariners defeated the Athletics 5-2. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers will spend money to improve the on-field product.

The Texas Rangers are in the middle of a complete rebuild of the team. Prospects have been moving through the system, and many of the top prospects are getting close.

The ownership group, led by Ray Davis, has indicated that management can spend retail value on free agents. In other words, the Rangers will add free agents, but they are not to over-spend in order to add talent.

Two horrible seasons in a row, a new stadium, plenty of top tier prospects, and money to spend, can send any loyal Rangers fan into a frenzy regarding the possibility of a much improved team in 2022.

Here is the team I would like to see take the field on Opening Day in 2022 (my dream lineup, if you will) .

Batting 1st – Starling Marte – CF (R)

Starling Marte will be a free agent after the World Series. Even though Marte is 33, he still has speed to burn and can get on base at the top of the order.

In 2021, Marte had a .310 AVG and led MLB with 47 SB. He also had the 7th best OBP (.383) in the majors.

Marte just completed an 8-year contract with Oakland where he was paid $12.5M in 2021.

In 2021, the Rangers didn’t have an every day solution in CF. Leody Taveras played just over half the games in CF and currently, he is not the answer. He he exceptional defensively, but must improve in every offensive category.

The signing of Marte makes sense until the Rangers can find a long term solution for the top of the order.

Contract: 3 yr, $45M (2022-24)

Batting 2nd – Trevor Story – SS (R)

The Texas Rangers will push hard to convince Trevor Story to sign a long term contract to move back home. Story is from Irving, TX and at 28, will be looking for a long-term contract.

In 2021, Story completed his 6th season in Colorado. Even though the numbers were down offensively, he still collected 34 (2B), 24 (HR), 75 (RBI), and 20 (SB).

For his career, Story has a lifetime average of .272 with an OBP of .340. He has also collected 158 HR, 450 RBI and 100 SB.

Story would be an excellent addition to the top of the order in 2022.

Contract: 6 yr, $150M (2022-27)

Batting 3rd – Nathaniel Lowe – 1B (L)

Out of all the returning Rangers, Nathaniel Lowe had the best OBP (.357). Since only two players on this roster hit left-handed, I placed Lowe 3rd in the batting order in order to break up all of the right-handed hitters ahead of him.

Lowe had 24 doubles and 18 home runs in 2021. He also scored 75 runs. He can make contact and drive in runs from the #2 spot in the order.

Lowe just finished his first full season in MLB and at 26, should continue to improve his offensive totals in 2022.

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