Texas Rangers 2021 - 2022 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

There will surely be a lot to discuss this offseason. We have navigated about 3 years through a rebuilding plan, and there is another year or so to go. We are at the point where we have answered some questions, but there are still many left to be answered as we clear away the remaining rubble and start building on the foundation of a very solid farm system.



Will we sign a top-notch hitter to become the cornerstone?

Will we sign a high-quality starting pitcher to lead the up-and-coming young starting pitchers?

Will we make any trades to help with the 40-man restructure?

Will we make a trade for a major league ready player like the Nate Lowe trade a year ago?

Who will be cut in order to allow enough room for additions to the roster?

Has Willie Calhoun seen his last game as a Ranger?

Will some prospect, not named Jung, do enough in the offseason/Spring Training to secure a starting position?

Which young starting pitchers will fill out the rotation in 2022?

Which prospects, other than Josh Jung, have a chance to make the jump to the big leagues during the first two months of the season?

Will Chris Woodward still be the manager in 2022?

Will we continue to sign short term free agent veterans to fill out the roster or do those bench spots go to younger guys already with the club?

If we sign a free agent shortstop will IKF be traded, moved to 2B, or become a utility player?

Are you happy with the progress of the rebuild over the past 12 months?

How much longer will it be before we get back to the ALDS?

How much longer before we get back to the World Series?

By the time we go to Spring Training we should know a lot more about the remainder of the club’s rebuilding plans. Depending on who we cut, who we sign, and who we trade for, we could have one more year of classic rebuilding or we could be facing at least a couple more years. If we get shut out in attempting to sign a top FA, then we know the timeframe stretches longer into the future.

Myself, I would rather not sign any other Lyles, Holt or Culberson types to short term deals. I want to sign one top notch bat in free agency. If they want to add another really good bat, that would be okay with me too. If they sign an ace to a good deal then I would not be opposed to that, but I don’t want an expensive pitcher to inhibit our pursuit of needed high quality bats.

 

[saddles]

10 intriguing free agent targets for Rangers this offseason, including a trio of shortstops

To hear them talk, the Rangers are just itching to spend money this offseason. Good news for them: Providing there isn’t a work stoppage when the collective...

www.dallasnews.com

1. The shortstops
OK, so our number one free agent isn’t actually one, but rather any of three from Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Trevor Story. Bottom line: If the Rangers add any of them, it’s a big offseason win. Who’s the right choice? Depends on what you are seeking. Seager might be the best hitter, Story the most power, Correa the most complete package (which is also another way of saying the most expensive). Now, comes the hard part: Convincing any of them to come to Texas to play for a team that lost 100 games in 2021 and probably won’t contend in 2022. To do will come with some kind of surcharge for agreeing to surrender at least a year of a career to building, rather than winning. So, tack that on to an expected annual average value of at least $30 million per year. At the very minimum, it’s going to require a seven-year commitment. Those pockets are flush with cash? Here’s the chance to show it. Get one of these guys early and other dominoes might fall, too.

2. 1B Freddie Freeman, Atlanta

First base is not the Rangers’ biggest need. Impact bat is. And Freeman, the 2020 NL MVP, might be the best impact bat on the market. That is, if he gets there. It’s still hard to see him escaping the Braves’ grasp, but the postseason is here and Freeman isn’t signed. He’s considered a great leader, to boot. The downside: He just turned 32. That might be on the older side for a guy in whom a team would invest more than $200 million long-term.

3. LHP Clayton Kershaw, LA Dodgers

Sure, it’s easy to make the homecoming argument about Highland Park’s greatest. That would be a mistake on the Rangers’ part. Even if Kershaw is motivated to return to Dallas and intrigued by the possibility of finishing out his Hall of Fame career by helping the Rangers win their first World Series, the Rangers can’t approach this as anything other than luring an elite pitcher to lay the foundation for the growth of an elite rotation. In other words: No hometown discounts. Think three years at about $30 million per year with the hope of 25 starts and 150-175 innings per year. Is Max Scherzer the better pitcher right now? Probably. Which means if the Dodgers have to make a call, they are liable to try to keep Scherzer. They are cold-blooded that way

4. RHP Marcus Stroman, NY Mets

He has averaged over 180 innings per season each of his last two full seasons (he sat out 2020 over COVID-19 concerns) and has a 3.12 ERA in that time. Stroman, 30, is an intense competitor who hasn’t been to the postseason since the second of back-to-back ALCS runs. He’s driven. He might be the pitching version of what Adrian Beltré was when he was a free agent in 2011.

5. 2B Marcus Semien, Toronto

He could easily go with the shortstops and probably would want to return there to sign with Texas. But, for the moment, he’s a second baseman and one who just set an MLB record for homers (44) from the position. Having just turned 31, he’s also more than two years older than any of the shortstop class. If he’s willing to take a shorter-term deal than the trio above, he becomes much more attractive.

6. INF-OF Chris Taylor, LA Dodgers

When Chris Woodward talks about the ceiling for utility man Eli White, he often invokes the name of Taylor, his vision of the paragon for a versatile player. And Woodward loves versatile players. So, why hope for a lesser version when the real thing is available? Taylor, 31, has an .805 OPS over the last five years, though with a lot of strikeouts. Can he replicate those numbers as he moves into his mid-30s?

7. RHP Noah Syndergaard, NY Mets

Another homecoming story? Sure, why not? Syndergaard, who grew up in Mansfield, has Cy Young stuff. But there’s always a “but.” He’s pitched just one inning since 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and made only seven starts in 2017. There’s a lot of risk and also potential reward. The Rangers would have to put themselves in the shoes of Marvel Universe fans and ask if “Thor” is just legend or a real superhero.

8. OF Nicholas Castellanos, Cincinnati

The Rangers discussed Castellanos after the 2019 season, but Cincinnati was ultimately more aggressive and also offered a contract loaded with opt outs. Well, he could use one of them to parlay his monster 2021 season into a big raise off his $17 million salary. He’s a bit defensively limited compared to some others on this list. It seems like attractive as his bat might be, it would be a case of paying full retail markup for a guy they could have had cheaper two years ago.

9. OF Michael Conforto, NY Mets

He is a year younger than Castellanos, a little more willing to walk and a tick better defensively. Now, he’s coming off a down year, so going after him might be an opportunity to buy low or might simply be a case of outsmarting themselves. Given the mess that has been the Mets environment the last couple of years, it’s worth considering that a new home might provide a new lease on life.

10. OF Joc Pederson, Atlanta

If you are keeping track, he’d be the fourth former Dodger on this list who was with the team when Chris Woodward coached there. He’s no longer the burgeoning star he once was considered, but the lefty hitter is very capable against right-handed pitching (a career .832 OPS).

 

[Uncle Siggy]

Has Willie Calhoun seen his last game as a Ranger?

Hopefully...

Will we sign a high-quality starting pitcher to lead the up-and-coming young starting pitchers?

Maybe, but I'm betting they resign Lyles...

Will Chris Woodward still be the manager in 2022?

Thought they already extended him back early this year?

8. OF Nicholas Castellanos, Cincinnati

The Rangers discussed Castellanos after the 2019 season, but Cincinnati was ultimately more aggressive and also offered a contract loaded with opt outs. Well, he could use one of them to parlay his monster 2021 season into a big raise off his $17 million salary. He’s a bit defensively limited compared to some others on this list. It seems like attractive as his bat might be, it would be a case of paying full retail markup for a guy they could have had cheaper two years ago.

He would make a good DH for the club...

 

[scotsman1948]

Hopefully...



Maybe, but I'm betting they resign Lyles...



Thought they already extended him back early this year?



He would make a good DH for the club...

Calhoun has had enough opportunities

good god no to Lyles. Syndergaard would be better

Woodward was extended but that doesn't mean anything to JD

17+M for a DH. why not just use one of our prospects at DH like Steele Walker

 

[scotsman1948]

There will surely be a lot to discuss this offseason. We have navigated about 3 years through a rebuilding plan, and there is another year or so to go. We are at the point where we have answered some questions, but there are still many left to be answered as we clear away the remaining rubble and start building on the foundation of a very solid farm system.



Will we sign a top-notch hitter to become the cornerstone? Garcia should be the cornerstone in our batting order

Will we sign a high-quality starting pitcher to lead the up-and-coming young starting pitchers? maybe Freeman & Story

Will we make any trades to help with the 40-man restructure? hopefully we trade Trevino, Guzman, and several others

Will we make a trade for a major league ready player like the Nate Lowe trade a year ago? not likely

Who will be cut in order to allow enough room for additions to the roster? at least 17

Has Willie Calhoun seen his last game as a Ranger? Yes

Will some prospect, not named Jung, do enough in the offseason/Spring Training to secure a starting position? Huff and Jung for sure

Which young starting pitchers will fill out the rotation in 2022? Hearn, Dunning, Allard, Alexy/Otto

Which prospects, other than Josh Jung, have a chance to make the jump to the big leagues during the first two months of the season? Depends

Will Chris Woodward still be the manager in 2022? Yes

Will we continue to sign short term free agent veterans to fill out the roster or do those bench spots go to younger guys already with the club? i hope we don't sign the usual JD trash. makes more sense to sign a couple maybe 3 quality position players fill the rest of the roster.

If we sign a free agent shortstop will IKF be traded, moved to 2B, or become a utility player? Traded

Are you happy with the progress of the rebuild over the past 12 months? No we filled too many spots with clutter

How much longer will it be before we get back to the ALDS? hopefully if we follow a sensible plan we improve next season to around .500 and then in 2023 we continue to improve to 82 to 90 wins and have a shot at at ALDS in 2024

How much longer before we get back to the World Series? 2024 or 2025

By the time we go to Spring Training we should know a lot more about the remainder of the club’s rebuilding plans. Depending on who we cut, who we sign, and who we trade for, we could have one more year of classic rebuilding or we could be facing at least a couple more years. If we get shut out in attempting to sign a top FA, then we know the timeframe stretches longer into the future. if we follow the old program of only pursuing 1 FA then we will take longer

Myself, I would rather not sign any other Lyles, Holt or Culberson types to short term deals. I want to sign one top notch bat in free agency. If they want to add another really good bat, that would be okay with me too. If they sign an ace to a good deal then I would not be opposed to that, but I don’t want an expensive pitcher to inhibit our pursuit of needed high quality bats. don't see how signing a quality starter will affect signing 2 maybe 3 quality position players

 

[Uncle Siggy]

good god no to Lyles. Syndergaard would be better

You got 180 innings from Lyles you need a couple of guys who can eat innings and the Rangers are happy with his presence in the clubhouse. Noah may end up like Kluber and you've got zilch for big money, that's if you can lure him away from NY where he wants to stay...

Woodward was extended but that doesn't mean anything to JD

Don't think JD has that much say anymore I'm hoping he jumps ship to the Mets...

17+M for a DH. why not just use one of our prospects at DH like Steele Walker

With Castellano's you'll get your moneys worth (you paid over 20 for Choo and got less) just make it a short contract like 2-3 years. Walker hasn't even proved he can consistently hit MiL pitching yet, just like most of the current MLB roster much less all the guys in the minors...

 

[DT LUNA]

Not sure I understand why all the dislike for Lyles. Not comparing him to the great ones but consider this:
1. He won 10 games
2. How many good games did he pitch that were lost b/c of poor offense.
3.How many games was he expected to win on a terrible re-building team.
4. Be fair in judgement
I am not suggesting we bring him back. He is not what we need going forward. Just think he did a good job for the reason he was hired.

 

[scotsman1948]

You got 180 innings from Lyles you need a couple of guys who can eat innings and the Rangers are happy with his presence in the clubhouse. Noah may end up like Kluber and you've got zilch for big money, that's if you can lure him away from NY where he wants to stay...


Don't think JD has that much say anymore I'm hoping he jumps ship to the Mets...



With Castellano's you'll get your moneys worth (you paid over 20 for Choo and got less) just make it a short contract like 2-3 years. Walker hasn't even proved he can consistently hit MiL pitching yet, just like most of the current MLB roster much less all the guys in the minors...

Lyles is a 3 or 4 maybe even a 5 and thou i like what he showed some good toward the end of the season, we need a veteran starter who can show the younger guys how to work and lead the team. if we were a team that was more advanced in the pitching area going into the next season i would agree on bringing him back.

JD has a way of inserting himself into the mix.

we aren't a contending team and not likely to be one any time soon so spending big time on a DH right now shouldn't be a prime consideration

 

[scotsman1948]

Not sure I understand why all the dislike for Lyles. Not comparing him to the great ones but consider this:
1. He won 10 games
2. How many good games did he pitch that were lost b/c of poor offense.
3.How many games was he expected to win on a terrible re-building team.
4. Be fair in judgement
I am not suggesting we bring him back. He is not what we need going forward. Just think he did a good job for the reason he was hired.

he did do a good job toward the end and i give him credit for it but like you said he is not what we need going forward.

 

[saddles]

Not sure I understand why all the dislike for Lyles. Not comparing him to the great ones but consider this:
1. He won 10 games
2. How many good games did he pitch that were lost b/c of poor offense.
3.How many games was he expected to win on a terrible re-building team.
4. Be fair in judgement
I am not suggesting we bring him back. He is not what we need going forward. Just think he did a good job for the reason he was hired.

He was fine to have on a team like we have. I would hope they can find a way to fill the rotation with young guys next year since there are enough of them close enough to pitch up here. That way we can see how they do. If they sign a veteran, I hope it is someone who belongs at the top, or very near the top, in a championship caliber rotation.

If they feel they have to have another stop gap then Lyles is not a bad choice. I just hope they don't feel that way.

 

[Uncle Siggy]

we aren't a contending team and not likely to be one any time soon so spending big time on a DH right now shouldn't be a prime consideration

No he's not a prime consideration... BTA if you're going to go SS shopping for a good bat to fill a hole, or Thor to fill a hole, then why not fill the DH/4th OFer slot with a good bat to give the younguns a fighting chance next year...

 

[scotsman1948]

No he's not a prime consideration... BTA if you're going to go SS shopping for a good bat to fill a hole, or Thor to fill a hole, then why not fill the DH/4th OFer slot with a good bat to give the younguns a fighting chance next year...

because a good quality SS and a quality SP are infinitely more valuable to this team right now than a DH

 

[Uncle Siggy]

because a good quality SS and a quality SP are infinitely more valuable to this team right now than a DH

And where would Boston have been without Big Papi

 

[scotsman1948]

And where would Boston have been without Big Papi

they had quality behind him we don't right now, so should we sign Cas, a couple of OF'ers, a quality SS etc and slow down the development of the team

 

[Uncle Siggy]

they had quality behind him we don't right now, so should we sign Cas, a couple of OF'ers, a quality SS etc and slow down the development of the team

I didn't say sign all of those people but I guarantee you the team is looking to sign more than you would like to see, they've already said as much. They're looking at keeping the fanbase as a whole happy, not a few isolated voices off in the wilderness somewhere...

 

[DTC]

I wouldn’t mind Castellanos on a 5 year $95 million. I would front load it a bit while our payroll is super low. $25 mil a year the first 2 years and then $15 a year the last 3 years. I would throw in a 6th year team option for $18 mil or a buyout. Just in case he’s still raking and we’re doing well
I would front load most long term contracts we try to sign this off-season. Would make sense.

I’m so happy the off season is about to begin. My favorite time of the year.

If we can get a few bats and a couple of pitchers I’ll be very happy.

I would go after Castellanos for DH/RF
Joc Pederson/Rosario to platoon vs RHP and promote Blain Crim to play LF vs LHP
Let Calhoun/Peters platoon
Promote Jung for 3B
Let Ibanez be the consensus 2B.
Sign one of the SS
Trade IKF, Leody, Yerry Rodriguez, Yonny Hernandez, Solak, Howard, Smith etc to acquire a C and a SP.

Vs RHP
C-MJ Melendez, Joey Bart, Gabriel Moreno, Austin Nola, Austin Allen, Logan O’Hoppe
1B- Nate Lowe
2B- Ibanez
3B- Jung
SS- Correa, Story or Seager
LF- Calhoun
CF- Garcia/Pederson
RF- Garcia/Pederson
DH- Castellanos

Bench- Yonny SS,2B, 3B- DJ Peters-OF, Blain Crim-LF, 3B-1B , Huff- C-1B- DH


Vs LHP
C- same
1B- Nate Lowe
2B- Ibanez
3B- Jung
SS- same
LF- Crim
CF- DJ Peters
RF- Adolis
DH- Castellanos

SP
1. Stroman, Syndergaard, etc FA pitcher
2. SP trade- Brewers, Rays or Marlins etc.
3. Dunning
4. Hearn
5. Alexy
6. Otto
7. King
8. Wes Anderson
Winn, etc..

 

[scotsman1948]

I didn't say sign all of those people but I guarantee you the team is looking to sign more than you would like to see, they've already said as much. They're looking at keeping the fanbase as a whole happy, not a few isolated voices off in the wilderness somewhere...

i'm looking at a quality SP, a Quality SS, a above average OF/1B and maybe a Quality 1B. how many moew do you want them to sign?

 

[Uncle Siggy]

i'm looking at a quality SP, a Quality SS, a above average OF/1B and maybe a Quality 1B. how many moew do you want them to sign?

I'm only thinking 2 or 3 to help guide the younguns, sounds like the front office might be looking at more...

 

[scotsman1948]

I'm only thinking 2 or 3 to help guide the younguns, sounds like the front office might be looking at more...

too early to do that shit

 

[Uncle Siggy]

too early to do that shit

They've even said you can't redo the whole roster in one year, but they have a good sized list to pick and chose from none the less I'd bet...

Time will tell what they do, overpay, under offer or get their men...