Rangers should ask if they need Ian Desmond in 2017

Outfielder Ian Desmond declined the Texas Rangers’ 17 million dollar option, but does the team really need their All-Star Center Fielder?

Ian Desmond could be playing elsewhere next season as the free-agent outfielder declined the Texas Rangers‘ $17 million qualifying offer.

The 2016 season was Desmond’s first year with Texas. During his time with the AL West Champs, the former infielder made his second ALL-Star appearance, starting a majority of the season as the key center fielder. Desmond finished the year batting .285, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 86 runs.

Before the All Star Break, the Rangers outfielder was having a blast, hitting .322 along with 15 homers. After the break, Desmond’s average dropped to .237 with just seven home runs.

So do the Texas Rangers really need Ian Desmond in the upcoming season?

Looking towards the 2017 season, the Rangers for sure has outfielders Nomar Mazara, Shin-Soo Choo and Delino DeShields set to come back for the team.

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The one player on that list that struggled for Texas last season was DeShields. The team’s quickest player started the season in the lineup but soon enough found himself in the minor leagues as he struggled for the Rangers early in the season. While DeShields did struggle this past season, the outfielder has the experience to come back and be a key part of the team. Also, who can forget his contribution in the 2015 Postseason campaign?

Meanwhile, the other two outfielders, Mazara and Choo, seem like a lock in the lineup next season.

Mazara was Texas’s Rookie of the Year Candidate last season. In his first stint in the majors and with the Rangers, the starting right fielder batted .266. The former rooked also added 20 home runs and 64 RBIs. Another year under his belt could be just what Mazara needs as he looks to continue to contribute for Texas.

On the other hand, Choo missed a majority of last season with various injuries. When healthy, Choo batted .242 and was the starting right fielder for the team. Going into the 2017 season, the Rangers expect to have a healthy Choo and a productive one as well.

If one of the other outfielders do not work out for Texas this upcoming season or an injury were to occur the Rangers could re-sign left fielder Carlos Gomez. Gomez has expressed interest to return to Texas. After his transition from Houston to the Rangers, the outfielder saw his batting average go from .210 to .284. Assuming the price is right, Gomez could join Mazara and Choo in the starting outfield, assuming Desmond doesn’t return.

Whether it’s Mazara, Choo, DeShields or even Gomez, any one of those outfielders are capable of playing solid defense in the outfield and batting at a high level.

While Desmond may have been an All Star, his production is replaceable. Who knows? Perhaps the Rangers surprise the baseball world by signing another outfielder not listed above.

Letting Desmond go might be the right thing to do:

Therefore, if Desmond does demand more than the 17 million dollars, the best thing for Texas is to let the outfielder go. The team has a number of outfielders available that can replace what Desmond could do. Looking into the future, the Rangers have a number of other positions that they could get help with. Plus, the money Desmond declined could be used on a number of other positions.

Next: Rangers already making right moves for 2017

In the end, the clear answer is probably not, as both Ian Desmond and the Texas Rangers seem to be going elsewhere.

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