Texas Rangers 2021 - 2022 Offseason Thread

[DTC]

Ranking and Predictions fo MLB's Top 50 Free Agents

6. Trevor Story, SS​

Age: 29 | Current Team: Rockies | Best Fit: Rangers​

Story’s player profile has a lot to like. He’s been durable, is at least a solid defender with good power and speed, and his strikeout rate has declined in each of the past two seasons to a career-low 23.4% in 2021. Story saw a steep decline in BABIP this year, with a .293 clip after a career mark of .347 before this year. That’s likely tied to a dip in line drives and uptick in ground balls, though his average exit velocity and barrel rate were mostly in line with his career marks. A mechanical adjustment could be the remedy there, and would likely elevate Story back to his All-Star form.

39. Jorge Soler, OF​

Age: 30 | Current Team: Braves | Best Fit: Rangers​

The 2021 World Series MVP has a wide range of future outcomes, but there are signs he could soon be one of the sport’s most feared sluggers. For one, he absolutely crushes the ball when he makes good contact, routinely ranking in the 98th percentile of max exit velocity and boasting MLB’s longest average home run distance (423 feet), a statistic no one will be surprised to learn after witnessing his World Series moonshot. His approach also showed signs of maturation this summer, as he struck out at a career-low 23.6% clip with a chase rate that ended up in the 80th percentile of the league. That’s solid growth from the '19 American League strikeouts leader. Soler best profiles as a mashing DH who doesn’t have to concern himself with improving his sloppy glovework.

Don’t like Soler. I would rather run DJ Peters vs LHP and Ibanez vs RHP for next to nothing. $750k a year. They would be more valuable as a whole than Soler would be, IMO.

 

[scotsman1948]

Don’t like Soler. I would rather run DJ Peters vs LHP and Ibanez vs RHP for next to nothing. $750k a year. They would be more valuable as a whole than Soler would be, IMO.

i like an outfield of Peters in LF, Garcia in CF and Castellanos in RF with Taveras and Ibanez as backups

 

[saddles]

Evan tweeted the wrong link. Here is the right link to his story about Kershaw.

Rangers are in a position to take a chance on Clayton Kershaw, but must be willing to make a splash

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Welcome to the state of baseball free agency. We do things here a little different than, say, the NFL or really any other sport. It’s not...

www.dallasnews.com

 

[saddles]

Evan tweeted the wrong link. Here is the right link to his story about Kershaw.

Rangers are in a position to take a chance on Clayton Kershaw, but must be willing to make a splash

CARLSBAD, Calif. — Welcome to the state of baseball free agency. We do things here a little different than, say, the NFL or really any other sport. It’s not...

www.dallasnews.com

"But some words of caution here: While the Dodgers may have not been willing to guarantee Kershaw $18.4 million, it shouldn’t give the Rangers the idea they can get him on the cheap. There is still every possibility that Los Angeles may come back later in the winter after it sorts through Scherzer and the Trevor Bauer mess. Even on a short-term deal, the Dodgers can offer Kershaw one guarantee the Rangers can’t: a chance to contend immediately."

"The pull the Rangers have is not insignificant, either. His family and his heart are in Dallas. As his kids grow older, the attachment to them grows stronger. Pitching at home full time would make it easier for the family. He has won a world championship, too. It’s not like he’s not interested in winning more, but helping to rejuvenate his childhood favorite team creates an intriguing challenge. Those are perks the Rangers can offer. Perks are nice. They are added benefits. They should not be confused, however, with cash."

"You want Kershaw, you better be willing to pay. Start where the Dodgers wouldn’t go yet: $18.4 million. Be willing to include incentives. Be willing to extend this for more than a year. Find creative ways — insurance policies — to protect their investment risk."

"If the Rangers want to dive into this market and make a splash, the Dodgers on Sunday offered them the platform. Now all it takes is following through."

 

[Kelleyman]

You might be surprised how much some utility players make and how much they play

I would love a very talented UIF and you really need one on a WS caliber team. I do think IKF versatility defensively is a huge plus. But his bat has not proved valuable and really below average. Don’t think the book is closed on him.
But given we are not even a good team yet, it makes me think he could be replaced at some point with prospects on their way in either Wendzel or Hernandez

The window just is not good for him. Same thing re window with Willie C too although he has a better bat than he has shown

 

[saddles]

I think the credibility factor that signing Kershaw would give the Rangers with other free agents cannot be overstated. If Rodon needs a one year deal to prove something, then go after him too.

 

[Kelleyman]

"But some words of caution here: While the Dodgers may have not been willing to guarantee Kershaw $18.4 million, it shouldn’t give the Rangers the idea they can get him on the cheap. There is still every possibility that Los Angeles may come back later in the winter after it sorts through Scherzer and the Trevor Bauer mess. Even on a short-term deal, the Dodgers can offer Kershaw one guarantee the Rangers can’t: a chance to contend immediately."

"The pull the Rangers have is not insignificant, either. His family and his heart are in Dallas. As his kids grow older, the attachment to them grows stronger. Pitching at home full time would make it easier for the family. He has won a world championship, too. It’s not like he’s not interested in winning more, but helping to rejuvenate his childhood favorite team creates an intriguing challenge. Those are perks the Rangers can offer. Perks are nice. They are added benefits. They should not be confused, however, with cash."

"You want Kershaw, you better be willing to pay. Start where the Dodgers wouldn’t go yet: $18.4 million. Be willing to include incentives. Be willing to extend this for more than a year. Find creative ways — insurance policies — to protect their investment risk."

"If the Rangers want to dive into this market and make a splash, the Dodgers on Sunday offered them the platform. Now all it takes is following through."

I like Kershaw but if we miss on him it is not the end of the world. I don’t think he is worth an overpay with our current window and his age

 

[saddles]

I would love a very talented UIF and you really need one on a WS caliber team. I do think IKF versatility defensively is a huge plus. But his bat has not proved valuable and really below average. Don’t think the book is closed on him.
But given we are not even a good team yet, it makes me think he could be replaced at some point with prospects on their way in either Wendzel or Hernandez

The window just is not good for him. Same thing re window with Willie C too although he has a better bat than he has shown

Yes, we will have cheaper options than him. If they want to keep him as a UIF for the next two years, I can understanding the reasoning. If he has any trade value that needs to be weighed too. I just don't want him to be seen as an answer as a starter at any position. I am also not sure how he will take being benched.

 

[Kelleyman]

I think the credibility factor that signing Kershaw would give the Rangers with other free agents cannot be overstated. If Rodon needs a one year deal to prove something, then go after him too.

I think getting the shortstop is a bigger priority but yes a guy like Kershaw may help recruit others. Perhaps this is an understatement

 

[saddles]

I like Kershaw but if we miss on him it is not the end of the world. I don’t think he is worth an overpay with our current window and his age

I think he is worth an overpay on a one year deal. I would rather have him on a one year deal than a mediocre pitcher or worse on a two year deal no matter what the price of the contract.

If we were going to max out the budget this offseason then I would be more concerned with how much he makes. We will not come close to that though.

 

[saddles]

I think getting the shortstop is a bigger priority but yes a guy like Kershaw may help recruit others. Perhaps this is an understatement

We could get two of the SS and still have money for Kershaw in 2022.

Let me add, that I am certainly not in favor of signing two of the SS. Lol

 

[saddles]

I remember IKF had a problem with where some national publication had him projected to be ranked among shortstops in 2021 in a certain category. Does anyone remember the details so we can check to see if the publication was way off base or if they pegged it pretty well?

 

[saddles]

 

[Kelleyman]

I think he is worth an overpay on a one year deal. I would rather have him on a one year deal than a mediocre pitcher or worse on a two year deal no matter what the price of the contract.

If we were going to max out the budget this offseason then I would be more concerned with how much he makes. We will not come close to that though.

Sure he would fill the park up for a bit and maybe spillover clubhouse and recruiting benefits. I sure would not poo poo the deal. We shall see. Anything is possible. We could definitely overachieve if our SP does well and we add a couple of big pieces and guys like Garcia and Peters surprise. Plus Jung.
Not counting on that.

That is why I don’t mind playing the lottery one more year with Peters. He has the tools but just has never produced consistently. He is likely a placeholder

 

[scotsman1948]

I think the credibility factor that signing Kershaw would give the Rangers with other free agents cannot be overstated. If Rodon needs a one year deal to prove something, then go after him too.

although i don't like doing 1 year deals i can see the logic of Kershaw but i wouldn't do the Rodon deal. the more FA pitchers we bring in the slower the progress of our young pitchers because we have Hearn, Dunning, Allard, Latz, Alexy and Otto and at least 2 maybe 3 get pushed back to AAA which slows down Winn, Vanasco, Leiter etc.

 

[scotsman1948]

Adolis is not a finalist for ROY.

didn't expect him to be nominated

 

[Kelleyman]

although i don't like doing 1 year deals i can see the logic of Kershaw but i wouldn't do the Rodon deal. the more FA pitchers we bring in the slower the progress of our young pitchers because we have Hearn, Dunning, Allard, Latz, Alexy and Otto and at least 2 maybe 3 get pushed back to AAA which slows down Winn, Vanasco, Leiter etc.

Most of our future pitchers are in the minors where they will progress minus Hearn and Dunning. Allard has had plenty of time and his upside isn’t much.
They stunt themselves lol

 

[saddles]

Sure he would fill the park up for a bit and maybe spillover clubhouse and recruiting benefits. I sure would not poo poo the deal. We shall see. Anything is possible. We could definitely overachieve if our SP does well and we add a couple of big pieces and guys like Garcia and Peters surprise. Plus Jung.
Not counting on that.

That is why I don’t mind playing the lottery one more year with Peters. He has the tools but just has never produced consistently. He is likely a placeholder

Filling the park never entered my mind. The benefits I see are:

1. The credibility factor that i previously mentioned
2. The short term required, meaning he won't be in the way when prospects are ready
3. Just in case he is healthy and very productive again, he could be extended into our window.(not counting on this one at all, but you never know)

 

[Kelleyman]

Re IKF defense. Some metrics have him high as we makes the plays consistently. Some lower as his arm and range are not above average

Maybe the eye test is best

 

[Kelleyman]

Filling the park never entered my mind. The benefits I see are:

1. The credibility factor that i previously mentioned
2. The short term required, meaning he won't be in the way when prospects are ready
3. Just in case he is healthy and very productive again, he could be extended into our window.(not counting on this one at all, but you never know)

Ok