2017 Texas Rangers offseason thread

[donaldson79]

Ephland..........You gave me a "dislike" for reporting the news on our former pitching coach? I'm just the messenger sir. ha ha ha

 

[True Rangers Fan]

Ephland..........You gave me a "dislike" for reporting the news on our former pitching coach? I'm just the messenger sir. ha ha ha

Yeah I should have clarified... the dislike was for the move itself, not the post.

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

LF Analysis

ON THE ROSTER
Willie Calhoun: Pre-arbitration

Delino DeShields: Pre-arbitration

Joey Gallo: Pre-arbitration

Nomar Mazara: Pre-arbitration

Drew Robinson: Pre-arbitration

Ryan Rua: Expected to be arbitration eligible

WHAT THEY DID WELL
Delino DeShields lost weight, regained speed and ended up emerging as the Rangers' best option in left field. After a poor 2016, DeShields bettered his .2015 numbers in on-base percentage (.347 over .344), stolen bases (29 over 25) and stolen-base percentage (78.3 over 75.7). He also was a much better route runner on defense. He ended up leading the team with the most starts in left (57). He was a bellwether for offensive success. The team went 35-16 in games in which he scored a run. He re-established himself as part of the club's future.

WHAT THEY DIDN'T
The Rangers did not evaluate this position well in spring training, electing to try to wedge three players -- DeShields, Rua and Jurickson Profar -- into the spot. Rua and Profar were given the first looks and were early-season busts. They combined to hit .203 with a .294 OBP for 187 at-bats.

It's likely both have taken themselves out of the Rangers' long-term plans. Profar is a trade candidate this winter. Rua will qualify for arbitration with just under three years of service and will be out of minor league options, forcing the Rangers to make a decision about even tendering him a contract.

WHAT'S IN A NUMBER

.373: In a year of bloated offense around the league, the Rangers slugging percentage from left field left a lot to be desired. It ranked 13th in the AL and 25th overall. It was the fourth-lowest mark from the position since the Rangers moved to Texas in 1972.

WHAT'S ON THE FARM
If Calhoun doesn't open the season with the major league team, he'll be the regular left-fielder at Triple-A Round Rock and will be the club's most advanced prospect. He is a hitter first and still a project as a defender, which would seem to put him right in line with the other Rangers outfielders.

They should become more athletic in coming years with a bunch of center field-worthy athletes moving through the system. Somebody from the group of Leody Taveras, Pedro Gonzalez and 2017 first-rounder Bubba Thompson is liable to wind up as an above-average defensive left fielder. The Rangers also have power-hitting Yanio Perez, who can play both corner outfield spots and should move to Double-A sometime in 2018.

WHAT'S ON THE MARKET
If one-time Rangers trade target Justin Upton opts out of his contract, he'd be the top free agent on the market. Regardless, the Rangers aren't likely to be major players here because -- as we've said more than once in this series -- they have bigger needs elsewhere. If they pursue an outfielder on the free agent market, it's more likely to be a center fielder and that would give them the ability to slide DeShields back to left where he is more of a defensive asset.

2018 OUTLOOK

There are internal options for the position, but how the Rangers staff it will depend on other moves. DeShields could be the center fielder or could be forced back into the left field mix. Gallo could be the left fielder if the Rangers move Shin-Soo Choo and opt to play rookie Ronald Guzman at first. Calhoun could be the guy if the Rangers opt to keep Gallo at first.

Whatever the case, the Rangers are likely to once again use a cast of characters out there. Seven different players started at least eight games in left field in 2017, and the only player to start at least 100 games in a season there in the last decade is David Murphy (106 in both 2012 and 2013).

 

[saddles]

CF Analysis

ON THE ROSTER
Delino DeShields: Pre-arbitration

Carlos Gomez: Free agent

Drew Robinson: Pre-arbitration

WHAT THEY DID WELL
In 440 plate appearances, Delino DeShields managed to score 75 runs. Nobody with 450 plate appearances or fewer scored more. He improved his on-base percentage over his impressive 2015 rookie season, increased his stolen base efficiency and was more aggressive on the bases, in general. He used the bunt to his advantage, and he became a more viable piece against right-handed pitching. He also improved as a route runner on defense. Joey Gallo may have improved the most of any position player on the team from the start of the year until the end, but DeShields was second.

WHAT THEY DIDN'T
In an era when the importance of defensive outfielders continues to grow, the Rangers remain below average defenders. It's even more evident when it's taken into consideration that the corner outfield spots are also below average. Rangers center fielders ranked 16th in the majors in the defensive metric used by Fangraphs and 17th in Defensive Runs Saved.

WHAT'S IN A NUMBER
199: The Rangers set an AL record for the most strikeouts from the center field position in 2017. Milwaukee owns the MLB record with 225. Gomez averaged a strikeout once every 3.37 plate appearances while playing center field. It was the second-worst rate among the 13 AL players with at least 300 plate appearances in center.

WHAT'S ON THE FARM
Despite the 2016 trades of Lewis Brinson and Ryan Cordell, center field remains a strength within the organization. Leodys Taveras, 19, is the best prospect in the entire minor league system. He will play center in the majors, though probably not until the Rangers move into their new ballpark in 2020. He will likely spend 2018 at Class A Down East.

The Rangers also restocked the position during the summer with first-round selection Bubba Thompson and Pedro Gonzalez, who was acquired for Jonathan Lucroy. When both fill out further, they could end up moving to the corners to flank Taveras. It would potentially give the Rangers the kind of plus outfield defense that contenders such as Houston and Boston used to their advantage this season. There is a promising future here.

WHAT'S ON THE MARKET
Paying big money and making long-term commitments to free agent center fielders hasn't proved to be very efficient. The position is so physically demanding that by the time most guys reach free agency, they are on the verge of losing a step.

The Rangers may well look to play in this market this winter, though, on a short-term deal. If Gomez is willing to wait around again and take another one-year deal, the Rangers could approach him after they work on starting pitching.

The other possibility is Lorenzo Cain, who hit .300 for the third time in the last four years. That's nice. But the defensive metrics on Cain, who turns 32 two weeks into the season, have declined each year since 2014. In Fangraphs' overall defensive metric, he ranked ninth among 17 qualifying center fielders.

2018 OUTLOOK
In the season wrap-up press conference, manager Jeff Banister gave DeShields only a tepid endorsement as an everyday center fielder. It was a bit surprising given how far he seemed to come in 2017. If the Rangers had a true elite fielder in center field, DeShields would be more of an asset in left, but unless the team brings back Gomez or makes a run at Cain, it's likely DeShields is going to be the guy. He's never going to have a Gold Glove arm, but if he continues to improve his reads, he can move to the upper tier of defenders in the majors.

 

[scotsman1948]

apparently there may be a glitch in Otani being posted so it looks like until a new agreement is reached between Nippon Baseball and MLB we will have to wait on him. he becomes Plan B and signing or trading for the other starters and a CF'er needed becomes Plan A

 

[True Rangers Fan]

apparently there may be a glitch in Otani being posted so it looks like until a new agreement is reached between Nippon Baseball and MLB we will have to wait on him. he becomes Plan B and signing or trading for the other starters and a CF'er needed becomes Plan A

Where did you see that?

 

[scotsman1948]

Where did you see that?

mlbtraderumors. article by jeff todd

 

[True Rangers Fan]

mlbtraderumors. article by jeff todd

awesome - thanks!

 

[saddles]

mlbtraderumors. article by jeff todd

"Ultimately, it seems that there’s still room for talks to sort things out. Sherman does not suggest that the union is interested in spoiling the transfer, for example; to the contrary, he says it is attempting to work with Otani. (That effort, he notes, has been complicated by the fact that Otani is still utilizing a Japanese lawyer and has yet to choose a MLBPA-certified agent.)"

It looks like there is still hope it gets worked out in time. I think all sides want it to be settled so it should get worked out. That is, unless Roger Goodell becomes commishioner of MLB all of a sudden. Then it would be hopeless.

 

[saddles]

2017-18 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions

 

[True Rangers Fan]

2017-18 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions

Why would Lance Lynn land a bigger contract than Alex Cobb, given the evaluations they give for both?

 

[saddles]

Why would Lance Lynn land a bigger contract than Alex Cobb, given the evaluations they give for both?

I noticed a lot of things about that list that didn't make sense.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I noticed a lot of things about that list that didn't make sense.

Also, Tanaka to the Phillies? Seriously?

 

[DT LUNA]

So what do we anticipate with Yu Darvish? He certainly has been a huge disappointment.

 

[DT LUNA]

Until we get pitching settled, kind of hard to know where to spend. I like Cain if possible in center and DDJ in left and Maz in right. First and second base need to be given some thought. I like Gallo at first but no so much Roogie at second. Hope to see an upgrade at catcher too.

 

[saddles]

So what do we anticipate with Yu Darvish? He certainly has been a huge disappointment.

The estimates in the mlbtraderumors.com article thinks Darvish gets 6 years for $160 million. I don't think he gets quite that much though. If I am the Rangers I offer him 5 years at $115 with options for a 6th and a 7th year. I also try to backload the deal to help offset the albatross contracts that we are saddled with through 2020.

 

[saddles]

Until we get pitching settled, kind of hard to know where to spend. I like Cain if possible in center and DDJ in left and Maz in right. First and second base need to be given some thought. I like Gallo at first but no so much Roogie at second. Hope to see an upgrade at catcher too.

With everything we need I think we are on a 2 year plan as far as restocking and revamping this team. I don't think all the needs won't be filled in one offseason.

 

[DT LUNA]

With everything we need I think we are on a 2 year plan as far as restocking and revamping this team. I don't think all the needs won't be filled in one offseason.

Math tells me you're right.

 

[Kelleyman]

Have to be some trades. We have a surplus of LH bats and no CF or pitching. Young guys still needing to develop. I would try to keep our young core, Gallo, Mazara and to me Calhoun. Hope for Odor to improve. Though hard to get value for him or Profar but need to lose one unfortunately.

Get younger but take on some expiring contracts you might be able to move at the deadline. Definitely not a year to go all in. Astros are overwhelming favorites with a young team that just got better with Verlander.

Tough reality I am having to swallow. Guess we can always hope for some solid surprises in ST.
JD has some very heavy lifting ahead of him.

BTW methinks Calhoun starts year in AAA to develop defensively and to extend his clock.