Texas Rangers: Are Payroll Limitations Hurting Them?

The Texas Rangers have identified their problems and have solutions available. Are their payroll limitations stopping them from acting?

The Texas Rangers had a litany of questions heading into last season. The pitching appeared to be a disaster, the bullpen was worse, the outfield was a platoon of “meh”, and the infield (with the exception of Adrian Beltre) was a migraine-inducing bag of question marks.

The questions and concerns were so vast, it was understandable the front office and ownership had reservations about throwing more money at the team. But after a very successful (and surprising) 2015 season that included a postseason, the situation has changed.

The Texas Rangers no longer have questions across their roster like they did last offseason. For the most part, they know their strengths and they know their weaknesses. The good news is the weakness are fixable. The better new is options are available.

Problem solved, right?

Not so fast.

Sadly, it appears Texas Rangers ownership is still hesitant to raise the payroll. The Rangers entered the offseason needing a catcher, a starting pitcher, and a respectable right-handed bat. We are now eight days into January and the Texas Rangers still need a catcher, a pitcher, and a right-handed bat.

The Texas Rangers are on the verge. They have two #1 pitchers in Yu Darvish (available this summer) and Cole Hamels, they have one of the strongest bullpens in the league, they have speed, power, veteran leadership, and postseason experience. They are a contender.

But instead of actively going after the solutions to their known problems, GM Jon Daniels is running around trying to work out cost-saving trades…Using players from the recently depleted farm system…For players who may not even be the solution.

Sports Day’s Evan Grant recently spoke of his theory behind what the Texas Rangers may be planning. He thinks the Rangers may be looking to deal former top prospect, Jurickson Profar, in a midseason trade to net another starting pitcher, specifically, Homer Bailey.

Obviously Profar’s value is in the toilet until he can get healthy and prove himself again. And obviously, the Texas Rangers can’t keep all of their infielders, so trading Profar at some point seems like the only move to make. But is the trade deadline really the time to fix a weakness of this magnitude?

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A weakness that we’ve identified months ago?

It’s a gamble that could make Daniels look like a genius if it all works out.

But it’s a risky play for a team seemingly on the verge.

The right-handed bat solution could be free agent Justin Upton. Upton is a player the Rangers have liked for years. Frankly, more than I ever have. But the 28-year-old Upton is a proven right-handed bat that would solidfy the Texas Rangers lineup.

Once again, Sports Day reports that the Upton hold-up is all about the money. Upton wants a multiyear deal between $15M-$20M per year. The Rangers want to pay one year in the $8M-$10M range. Chalk it up as part of the negotiating process, but the market is dwindling and the Rangers are already gambling in other places. If they miss out on Upton, then what?

Now the Rangers appear to be kicking the tires on Florida Marlins outfielder, Marcell Ozuna. Ozuna is a young player coming off a bad year. He’s an inexpensive fix with good upside, but he’ll likely cost the Rangers Chi Chi Gonzalez.