I have never been one to try and predict a team’s lineup or roster during the offseason. There are too many issues at hand and rarely are people within spitting distance of what a club actually does. While this normally takes place at the beginning of an offseason I decided it might a big fun to do at this point considering the Texas Rangers have not completely had the offseason that was expected. While I have not done anything too crazy, I still doubt the Rangers will head into opening day with anything close to this. Here is my prediction for the Rangers’ opening day lineup and roster.
The Lineup
2nd-Ian Kinsler
LF-David Murphy
3rd-Adrian Beltre
RF-Justin Upton
DH-Mike Napoli/Nelson Cruz
C-A.J. Pierzynski
1st-Mitch Moreland/Mike Olt
SS-Jurickson Profar
CF-Leonys Martin/Craig Gentry
Utility-Ryan Theriot
This lineup has a few things that look a bit different than the way things currently stand. The first change would be the lack of Elvis Andrus and the addition of Justin Upton. There is no question that the Rangers do not want to move Adrus or Jurickson Profar, but the Rangers have depth up the middle, need outfield help and power in the lineup and the trade value of Andrus may not get higher than it currently is. Considering that Andrus is a Scott Boras client, teams will be less likely to give up much for him a year from now when he is closer to free agency. This lineup also includes the return of Mike Napoli. With Napoli’s contract in Boston not anywhere near being finalized it would be great for the Rangers to bring him back in, but in a role where he can catch a day or two a week while spending the majority of his time at designated hitter or even first base. The Rangers need power in the lineup and Napoli can provide that as well as the ability to get on base and be a positive influence in the clubhouse.
This lineup would also give the Rangers quite a bit of depth that could allow key players to remain fresh. Napoli and Pierzynski could both spend time behind the plate as well as DH, Cruz could spend time in the outfield as well as DH and Mike Olt could spend time at first or DH as well as giving Adrian Beltre a break at third a day or two a week. While Olt and Mitch Moreland would essentially platoon at first and Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry would platoon in center, it would be crucial for Moreland and Martin to both get at bats versus lefties to determine if they can be long term fixes at those positions, without the platoon scenario. Moreland has needed this opportunity for two years now, but Michael Young has prevented his ability to get at bats versus lefties.
The one position player without a regular role would be that of Ryan Theriot who would be the utility infielder. Theriot could give Kinsler and Profar regular rest, but could find his way into the lineup in multiple ways. He would also be a great addition to the clubhouse with his experience in October and the departure of Michael Young. The main issue with landing Theriot is that he had played at least 132 games a season for the five years before last season when he only played in 104 games for the Giants. He may be looking for more than a utility role somewhere, but that is what he is in line for at this point in his career and would be a good fit in Texas until someone like Leury Garcia is ready to come up and fill that role.
Starting Rotation
RHP-Yu Darvish
LHP-Matt Harrison
LHP-Derek Holland
RHP-Alexi Ogando
LHP-Martin Perez
The Rangers still need another starting pitcher and while Kyle Lohse is on the market, that is not really what the Rangers are in search of. They still want a top-end of the rotation starter and the only way to make that happen is via a trade. R.A. Dickey and James Shields have already been dealt and while people mention names like David Price and Felix Hernandez, that is very unlikely to happen. The Rays will move Price at some point, but they are still set on winning and they see Price as an important way to accomplish that. If they are out of the race early in 2013, the story will change and he will be dealt before the trade deadline. The Mariners also know that they need offense to win and while they are dead set on accomplishing that, they know that “King” Felix is just as important and if they do get that offense. Considering the Rangers limited options, it is time to give Martin Perez the ball and see what he can do. His stock is nowhere near where it was a few years ago, but they will never know if it can return if they don’t give him a solid opportunity.
Colby Lewis is also expected back after the All-Star break and it would be nice if he could replace Ogando in the rotation which would allow him to return to the bullpen for the second half of the season. However if Perez did struggle in the rotation, it would seem that he would most likely be dealt or return to Round Rock when Lewis returns.
Bullpen
RHP-Joe Nathan
LHP-Robbie Ross
RHP-Josh Lindblom
RHP-Tanner Scheppers
RHP-Wilmer Font
LHP-Michael Kirkman
RHP-Joakim Soria*
*Soria will likely not be available the first month or more of the season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
The bullpen has just as many or more question marks than anywhere and that is due in part to the loss of Mike Adams and Koji Uehara as well as Ogando moving into the rotation, but the fact that Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria are recovering from Tommy John surgery also complicates matters. The bullpen should be in great shape for the second half of the season, but the first half of the season could be a bit of a struggle, especially if Soria takes longer than expected to return. The Rangers also do not want to spend a ton with the bullpen if they are getting back Soria and Feliz and even Ogando if he is no longer needed in the rotation. The key for the first few months will just be to get by and that will mean some young guys will have to step up.
Who knows what the Rangers are going to do, but they have young talent available that will not require a large amount of moves. While they do not have to make moves, one of more would be nice to complement the core that is in place. No doubt about it, the next month will be very interesting as my predicted lineup gets ripped to shreds.
John Bowman is a lifelong baseball and Texas Rangers fan that loves to ponder the deeper aspects of the game. Some of his first baseball memories involve Arlington Stadium nachos, Charlie Hough’s knuckleball, dirt on Pete Incaviglia’s uniform and the voices of Mark Holtz and Eric Nadel as he fell asleep.
