Texas Rangers: 5 Offseason Likelihoods

Oct 11, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder

is unable to catch a ball hit for a double by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman

(not pictured) in the fourth inning in game three of the ALDS at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Texas Rangers Likelihood #4: Patience Will Be Needed

With any luck, the 2016 Texas Rangers will start the season better than the 2015 Rangers did. If they can remain relatively healthy in training camp that task should be an easy one. But patience will be needed nonetheless.

The Rangers aren’t expected to have a ton of money to spend this offseason and Jon Daniels isn’t keen on the idea of giving much more away via trade. The Rangers will have no choice but to plug holes with inexpensive veterans and pray the young players develop and grow into their fulltime roles.

Center field is an issue now that the Texas Rangers traded Leonys Martin away. Martin never developed into the leadoff hitter the Rangers wanted, but he was a sensational centerfielder. Now with only Delino DeShields, the Rangers may be forced to endure ample growing pains in the field.

According to Evan Grant, minor league prospect, Lewis Brinson, has been turning some heads in his rise through the system. But for as good as the 21-year-old Brinson looks, he’s probably another year away from joining the Rangers

In exchange for Martin, the Rangers received power hitting prospect Patrick Kivlehan. At 26, Kivlehan is a little long in the tooth for an OF prospect but his numbers are strong and he should be ready to join the Rangers at some point in 2016.

Kivlehan is 6’2 210 lbs. He had 22 HR and a .453 slugging percentage with Triple-A Tacoma last season. Projecting best as a corner outfielder, Kivlehan can hopefully platoon with Josh Hamilton in left by the end of the season.

First base, catcher, and even starting pitcher (depending on Yu Darvish’s recovery time and what the Rangers do with Colby Lewis and Yovani Gallardo) are all areas the Rangers need to address but lack the funds to do so convincingly.

The Rangers will be forced to platoon players, rush their youth, gamble with veterans, and cross their fingers. There are sure to be headaches and growing pains along the way but if Jon Daniels hedges his bets throughout, they should be able to pan out some solutions by mid-summer.

Next: The Rangers Rotation