What does the 2022 Texas Rangers Opening Day Roster look like right now?

The 2022 Texas Rangers roster as of now: Right Fielders

Certainties: Kole Calhoun

Once again, it all boils down to what the Rangers do between now and Opening Day, but it is safe to assume Kole Calhoun will not be a 100+ game starter in right field for the Rangers in 2022. The likelihood is that he serves a veteran role a la Brock Holt or Charlie Culberson in 2021. The team still has to find a move for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who will not have room to squeeze in what was once his infield.

Calhoun hasn’t been productive in a while and was burdened by injury in 2021, but I still don’t really see him taking more than 200 or 250 at-bats this year. Anything is on the table, but he cost relatively nothing, so there’s not really any risk with him.

Dark Horse: Nick Castellanos

I think Texas is much more likely to land Suzuki, but Castellanos is still available as soon as the lockout ends, and there’s a deep drive into left field, that will be a home run. And so that’ll make it a 4-0 ballgame.

Castellanos produced an elite .362 OBP in 2021, and is coming off debatably his finest season in the majors. He’s only 29, has a career OPS+ of 115, and he’s a very consistent defensive outfielder. He’s easily one of the best free agents still on the market. Willie Calhoun is a fan favorite, but your outfield isn’t going to compete for championships if it’s between him and Adolis Garcia for outfield hitting production. However, if you can nab a guy like Castellanos, and let Calhoun and Garcia sit comfortably in the 6th/7th spots of the lineup… there’s a world of potential there. Castellanos wants a seven or eight-year deal, so the front office might not want to be serving those out like hotcakes, but he’d be a VERY nice icing on the cake for this outfield.