It's time for the Texas Rangers to move on from pitcher Cole Winn

It's halfway through another Texas Rangers spring training, and Cole Winn has already been designated to Triple-A Round Rock. At 24 years old, Winn has the potential to be a starting pitcher in MLB. He looked good in his first spring training game this year before he spiraled out of control and finished with a 9.82 ERA. Winn knows there isn't much time before the Rangers move on from him. Here's why the Rangers need to move on from Winn this season.

Winn looked like he took a big step forward during the 2021 season. He finished ninth in Double-A with a 2.31 ERA, third in WHIP with an 0.82 mark, and first in BAA at a remarkable .143. It was looking like the Rangers finally found a pitcher they could develop. The Rangers promoted him to the Round Rock Express last season due to his performance with the Frisco RoughRiders.

The Express moved him to a different role, since the starting rotation didn't need to be changed. He played more of the long relief role last year. Winn was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for June 19th-25th. It seemed like Winn might have a future as a long relief pitcher. He would stay with the Round Rock Express for the remainder of the season until the Rangers called him up for their postseason run.

Let's fast forward to spring training this year, though, and things have changed after Winn gave up eight earned runs in his four spring training games. Winn was optioned after the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rangers fans on Twitter tweeted that Winn's days as a Texas Ranger were over when he got optioned. While the Rangers ultimately came up short in talks with the Chicago White Sox for starting pitcher Dylan Cease, I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers had tried to persuade Chicago to take him instead of Brock Porter.

In conclusion, Winn's days as a Texas Ranger could be coming to an end shortly. They have given Winn multiple opportunities to make the Opening Day roster, and he's failed to show the Rangers he's ready for the major leagues. Don't be surprised if this is another episode where a change of scenery could help him. Cole Ragans didn't work out with the Rangers last season, and Kansas City has turned him into a solid starting pitcher. It's time for the Rangers to let go of Winn and focus on developing Porter.