Texas Rangers 2018-2019 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

Looks like a good move. And Yes to flip may work just fine

 

[saddles]

More from mlbtraderumors.com about the Rangers signing Cabtera.

While Cabrera has at times actually drawn improved grades on his glove at short in recent years, particularly in the eyes of UZR, his range has long represented a major demerit. Since he’s otherwise a surehanded fielder, and clearly has the arm to work on the left side of the infield, suggests that third base represents a sensible position.

Of course, the calling card for Cabrera remains his bat. He has actually turned things up over the past three years, posting a cumulative .274/.334/.456 slash in that span that’s reflective of his best earlier-career campaigns. The switch-hitter hits for a high average, delivers a fair bit of pop (23 home runs in 2018), and has long succeeded against both right- and left-handed pitching (career .752 OPS vs. .759 OPS, respectively).

In many regards, this seems to be a bit of a bargain rate for a solid veteran who has delivered so much offense in recent seasons. Though he fell just off of MLBTR’s list of the top fifty free agents, receiving honorable mention consideration, Cabrera is younger than Jed Lowrie(who signed for two years and $20MM) and easily outperformed Brian Dozier(one year, $9MM) at the plate last year.

Trouble was, this year’s market (including free agents and trade candidates) was loaded with players who could handle second and/or third base. Among them, Marwin Gonzalez, Mike Moustakas, Josh Harrison, Derek Dietrich, Neil Walker, Logan Forsythe, and others remain available on the open market (in addition, of course, to superstar Manny Machado). As it turns out, Cabrera will land just shy of Ian Kinsler in total guarantee, though he’ll avoid handing over control of another season via club option.

With the move, the Rangers will fill the void created when they traded Jurickson Profar earlier in the offseason. Elvis Andrusand Rougned Odor will remain entrenched at shortstop and second base, respectively, though it surely doesn’t hurt that Cabrera could step in at either position if a need arises. Slugger Joey Gallo will presumably range the outfield, though he’s also an option at third base if there’s a need.

In conjunction with some other veteran additions — veteran backstop Jeff Mathis, three starters (Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly, Shelby Miller), and reliever Jesse Chavez — the Rangers have certainly shored up their roster. Among those acquisitions, only Mathis and Lynn required multiple years, and none of the salaries represents a major outlay for an organization that has a history of significant payrolls and is readying for a new stadium boost.

All in all, there’s greater upside on hand than you might have expected, particularly if a few key young players can make strides. Still, it’s tough to see this group making a strong run in a top-heavy American League. Maintaining a reasonably competitive product won’t allow the Rangers to pocket cost-savings and draft picks to the extent they might have otherwise, but it should help boost revenue and fan interest in the near-term. It’ll be interesting to see how the roster reloading effort shakes out in Texas.

 

[saddles]

Who hits cleanup this year?

Mazara, Choo, Cabrera, Odor, Gallo???

 

[saddles]

The only question is

How bad will the team stink next year?

Maybe 70 wins???

Let's see what kind of injuries present themselves between now and Opening Day.

I don't have much confidence in our starting pitching. Those guys may very well be worse than the 2018 version.

 

[saddles]

Rangers To Sign Zach McAllister

The Rangers are in agreement on a one-year, Major League contract with veteran right-handed reliever Zach McAllister, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The Excel Sports client will earn a $1MM salary in 2019, and Fancred’s Jon Heyman tweetsthat he can boost his earnings via an incentives package. McAllister, 31, struggled through an awful 2018 campaign with the Indians and Tigers, posting a combined 6.20 ERA in 45 innings of relief between the two clubs. He did turn in a quality 39-to-10 K/BB ratio in that time, though, and McAllister’s 95.3 mph average fastball velocity was as strong as ever. Additional, he actually made some gains in swinging-strike rate and particularly on his opponents’ chase rate on out-of-zone pitches. It’s also worth noting that McAllister was a quality reliever for Cleveland from 2015-17, during which time he turned in a 2.99 ERA with 10.0 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9 through 183 1/3 innings of work. Texas has plenty of open spots in its relief corps behind closer Jose Leclerc and the re-signed Jesse Chavez, so it’s not all that surprising to see the organization add an affordable veteran arm. If McAllister can successfully rebound to his 2015-17 form, he’d presumably become a trade asset for the Rangers this summer.

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

Who hits cleanup this year?

Mazara, Choo, Cabrera, Odor, Gallo???

Interesting question. I am thinking it is not set in stone. I am hoping Mazara earns it Doubt if it is Odor or Gallo

 

[saddles]

DH Choo
SS Elvis
3B Cabrera
RF Mazara
LF Gallo
2B Odor
1B Guzman
C IKF
CF Deshields

Maybe?

 

[DT LUNA]

May be Guzman will play first

 

[DT LUNA]

DH Choo
SS Elvis
3B Cabrera
RF Mazara
LF Gallo
2B Odor
1B Guzman
C IKF
CF Deshields

Maybe?

Sure looks like it

 

[DT LUNA]

Interesting question. I am thinking it is not set in stone. I am hoping Mazara earns it Doubt if it is Odor or Gallo

Maz has my vote.

 

[Kelleyman]

DH Choo
SS Elvis
3B Cabrera
RF Mazara
LF Gallo
2B Odor
1B Guzman
C IKF
CF Deshields

Maybe?

Maybe this is the RHP lineup. Wonder if we move up IKF a spot to break up the flurry of LHBs

 

[Kelleyman]

Roster at 40 with one to add. Someone is gonna hit the waiver wire

 

[scotsman1948]

DH Choo
SS Elvis
3B Cabrera
RF Mazara
LF Gallo
2B Odor
1B Guzman
C IKF
CF Deshields

Maybe?

possible but having 4 lefthanders in a row (Mazara, Gallo, Odor & Guzman) makes the team vulnerable to the opposing team throwing out lefthanded starters and relievers to combat the Rangers. we need a righthand batter between Gallo and Odor

 

[saddles]

possible but having 4 lefthanders in a row (Mazara, Gallo, Odor & Guzman) makes the team vulnerable to the opposing team throwing out lefthanded starters and relievers to combat the Rangers. we need a righthand batter between Gallo and Odor

It will give them more experience hitting against lefties then. That is a good thing for this year isn't it?

 

[saddles]

 

[saddles]

 

[scotsman1948]

It will give them more experience hitting against lefties then. That is a good thing for this year isn't it?

not really sure that is a good thing

 

[scotsman1948]

It will give them more experience hitting against lefties then. That is a good thing for this year isn't it?

Mazara hit .240, Gallo .210, Odor .257 and Guzman .208 against lefties last year and they played a majority of the games at their positions.