I’ve 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 the club is doing. While this usually happens at the beginning of the offseason, I decided to make a big joke at this point considering the Texas Rangers< /a> have not completely had the offseason that was expected. While I haven’t done anything too crazy, I still doubt the sauce on opening day will be anything close. Here is my prediction for the Rangers opening day lineup and roster.
Lineup
2nd-Ian Kinsler
LF-David Murphy
3rdAdrian 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 verse has a few things that look a little different than the way things stand now. The first change would be the loss of Elvis Andri and the addition of Justin Wpton. There is no question that they don’t want to move Adrus or Jurickson Profar, but they have depth. In the middle, the help and power in the line and the value of Andri’s trade cannot be higher than it is now. Considering Andrus is a client of Scots Boras, teams will be less likely to give up on him much later in the year when he is closer to free agency. This lineup also includes the return of Mike Napoli. Since Napoli’s deal in Boston isn’t anywhere close to being completed, it would be great for the Rangers to bring him back, but in a role where he can take a day or two as he spends most of his time at designated hitter or even first baseman. base Rangers need power on the line and Napoli can provide both the ability to advance the base and a positive influence in the clubhouse .
This lineup would also give the franchise enough depth to allow key players to remain fresh. Napoli and Pierzynski could both spend time behind the plate as DH, Cruz could spend time in the outfield as a DH and Mike Olt could spend time at first or DH and give first or DH Adriano Beltre a break. Seven days. While Olt and Mitch Moreland would essentially be the platooners at first and Leonys Martin and Craig Gentry the platooners in center, Morland and Martin on both sides should make the bats toward lefties if the long runs at those positions can be envisioned without platooning. Moreland has needed this opportunity for two years now, but Michael Young has hindered his ability to get at-bats against lefties.
One position player without a regular role would be Ryan Theriot who would be a utility infielder. Theriot could give Kinsler and Profar regular rest, but he could find his way into the lineup in multiple ways. He will also have a big future with his experience in October and the departure of Michael Young to the club. The main reason for landing Theriot is that he had played at least 132 games a season five years before last season. since he only played in 104 games for the Giants. He may be looking for more than a utility role elsewhere, but that’s what’s on the line here and Texas will be a good fit until someone like Leury Garcia is ready to step up and fill that role.
Start of rotation
RHP-Yu Darvish
LHP-Matt Harrison
LHP-Theodoric Hollandus
RHP-Alexis Ogando
LHP-Martin Perez
The Rangers have yet another starting pitcher and while they need Kyle Lohse on the market, that’s not really what the Rangers should be looking for. They’re still the top end of the rotation starter and they just want to do what was done via trade. R.A. Dickey and James Shields have already been dealt and while they are mentioning names of people like David Price and Felix Hernandez, that is very unlikely to happen. The Rays will move Price at some point, but they are still focused on winning and will see Price as an important way to accomplish that. If they are out of class early in 2013, the story will change and will be done before the trade is announced. The Mariners also know that they need offense to win and while they are dead set on doing so, they know that “King” Felix is just as good as if they have that offense. Considering Rangers’ limited options, it’s time to give the ball to Martin Perez and see what he can do. His stock is nowhere near where it was a few years ago, but he’ll never know if he can come back unless they give him a solid chance.
Colby Lewis is also expected after the All-Star break and it would be a war if he replaces Ogando in the rotation which would allow him to return to the bullpen for half the season. But if Perez has struggled in the rotation, it seems likely that he will be dealt with or return to Lewis in the rotation.
Bullpen
RHP-Joe Nathan
LHP-Robbie Ross
RHP-Josh Lindblom
RHP-Tanner Scheppers
RHP-Wilmer Font
LHP-Michael Kirkman
RHP-Joakim Soria*
*Soria likely won’t be available for the first month or more as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.
The bullpen has as many or more question marks than ever and that’s partly due to the loss of Mike Adams and Koji Uehara as well as moving Ogando into the rotation, but getting back Neftali Feliz and Joakim Soria from Tommy John. It also involves surgery. The bullpen should be in great shape for the middle 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 don’t want to spend a ton with the bullpen if they get Soria and Feliz and even Ogando if they’re not needed in the rotation. The key in the first few months will be to get it right, and that will mean some young guys coming in.
Who knows what Rangers are going to do, but there is a lot of young talent available that isn’t moving. While they don’t have to move, it’s one of the many nice things that complements the core in place. There is no doubt about it, the next month will be very interesting as my predicted lineup receives a wave.
John Archer is a vital baseball and Texas Rangers fan who loves to think deeper aspects games Some of my earliest baseball memories involve Arlington Stadium nachos, Charles Hough tickets, dirt on Pete Incaviglia’s uniforms and the voices of Mark Holtz and Eric Nadel falling asleep.
