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Texas Rangers: The importance of finding answers in the outfield

By Reid Hanson

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 24: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers walks back to the dugout after striking against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning of the game on June 24, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Rangers 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JUNE 24: Joey Gallo #13 of the Texas Rangers walks back to the dugout after striking against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning of the game on June 24, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Rangers 2-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Texas Rangers outfield might just be the question most in need of immediate answers on this roster. Here’s why the answers are so pressing…

There are questions just about everywhere on this Texas Rangers squad. The health, depth, and effectiveness of the starting pitching, to the rotation at catcher, to the performance of the infield, to the effectiveness of this lineup, there are no shortage of unknowns.

But the outfield might just be the most important area to find some long-term answers, today. That’s because the long-term pieces may be actually in place. The same can’t be said for other areas of the team.

The Texas Rangers will only go as far as their starting pitching will take them. That’s true for the present as well as the future. So while no area should be seen as more important overall, finding long-term answers here isn’t the most pressing – primarily because it’s just not realistic.

Look at the starting rotation: Lance Lynn, Mike Minor, Drew Smyly, Shelby Miller and Edinson Volquez. Which one of these fellas projects as a starter for Texas in 2021 and beyond? I’d be surprised if any were still here in 2021. It’s very possible no long-term answers will be found within these starting pitching ranks. To find those pieces the Texas Rangers need to either develop their own prospects or trade for some (probably both).

Look at the projected infield: Ronald Guzman, Rougned Odor, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Elvis Andrus. While some of these players may figure into the long-term future of the team, who here would project into a starting infield on postseason/championship contending team?

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The outfield is a different story. The Texas Rangers have Joey Gallo, Nomar Mazara, Delino DeShields, and Willie Calhoun in the ranks. All of them have the tools to develop and all of them are young enough to be long-term solutions on a postseason/championship team.

Gallo and Mazara are two players with the tools to be league MVPs one day (not likely but reasonably possible). The Rangers just don’t have this kind of potential in their starting pitching or in their infield right now.

The outfield is a question we can answer this season. If the Texas Rangers can get some positive answers to these questions this season, they’ll be in great shape to speed the rebuilding process. If somehow all of these questions in the outfield persist beyond this season, the season will likely be seen as a failure. That’s because the success of this season is largely graded by development rather than wins and losses.

Related Story. The best thing for the Rangers pitching prospects. light

The Texas Rangers want to find as many answers as they can this season because it’s a necessary step in rebuilding their roster. And the outfield is situated to provide the answers RIGHT NOW and that’s why it’s the most important area of the team to watch this Spring.

  • Published on 02/23/2019 at 18:01 PM
  • Last updated at 02/23/2019 at 12:09 PM
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