Texas Rangers 2022 - 2023 Offseason Thread

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

But what if — what if — the Rangers see left field as a position where they can save some money and get good value with one of the outfielders in the farm system?

It makes a whole bunch of sense.

The free-agent outfielders next offseason leave much to be desired. There isn't a player on the list who screams lineup savior or even lineup boost.

The Rangers could get as much production and value from internal candidates, both this year and down the line.

Bubba Thompson, Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran — who all exceeded rookie limits in 2022 — are the first three mentioned, and Mark Mathias might be a fit in that group, too.

But three of the Rangers' top five outfield prospects will be at the upper levels to start 2023, one of them is on the 40-man roster, and with a little leap of faith the Rangers could have a cost-effective everyday contributor among them for 2024.

 

[saddles]

From Jeff Wilson:

But what if — what if — the Rangers see left field as a position where they can save some money and get good value with one of the outfielders in the farm system?

It makes a whole bunch of sense.

The free-agent outfielders next offseason leave much to be desired. There isn't a player on the list who screams lineup savior or even lineup boost.

The Rangers could get as much production and value from internal candidates, both this year and down the line.

Bubba Thompson, Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran — who all exceeded rookie limits in 2022 — are the first three mentioned, and Mark Mathias might be a fit in that group, too.

But three of the Rangers' top five outfield prospects will be at the upper levels to start 2023, one of them is on the 40-man roster, and with a little leap of faith the Rangers could have a cost-effective everyday contributor among them for 2024.

The three at the upper levels are Carter, Harris and Zavala. The other two are Guitterez and Morrobel. Baseball America has Guitterez ahead of both Harris and Zavala, talent wise.

 

[saddles]

Wilson on Guitterez:

Baseball America rated Gutierrez ahead of Zavala and Harris, and he has the upside to be a top-five prospect after being the prize of the Rangers' 2022 international haul.

Gutierrez is a strong, athletic outfielder who can play all three positions. He's going to get bigger than his current 6-foot-3, 185-pound frame, which indicates more power is coming. That might also relegate him to being a corner outfielder.

He's still only 18, so it's understandable that he needs to be better against off-speed pitches. He crushes fastballs. He struggled some in the Arizona Complex League and did not advance to Low A Down East, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Rangers push him to Down East to start the season.

 

[saddles]

Also from Jeff Wilson:

What if ... ?
Two of the Rangers' top prospects, second baseman Justin Foscue and shortstop Luisangel Acuna, have reached the upper levels but are blocked long-term by Marcus Semien and Corey Seager. Position changes are in order.

Acuna was asked to start working some in the outfield this season and will do so in his first big-league camp. He likely won't play the outfield in games until he is optioned to minor-league camp, but he is athletic enough to handle the part-time experiment. Remember: His brother is Braves superstar outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.

The Rangers have not spoken to Foscue about playing left field, though he is adamant that he could do so capably. For now, the Rangers will test him more at third base.

Both would become intriguing options for left field if they show an ability to play there.

 

[Nightcrawler]

Is smith going to be good this year? I’m concerned about his lack of power.

 

[saddles]

Is smith going to be good this year? I’m concerned about his lack of power.

I think we will find out a lot about him, Duran, Bubba, and Leody this year. Looking at what we have coming up soon, neither of them may have a chance to start after this year if they do not show a lot this year.

So far, Leody is the only one we have much of a big league track record to go by. That is why I think he may be the first guy by the wayside this year if he doesn't do well.

 

[saddles]

11 more days

 

[saddles]

10 more days

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Is smith going to be good this year? I’m concerned about his lack of power.

Understandable. It's not just his power but he really does not hit the ball with any authority in general. He does have a good eye at the plate but he will need more than that this year.

 

[saddles]

 

[WastinSomeTime]

For what its worth but Yahoo Sports breakout players predictions of 2023.

File Burke under quiet 2022 breakouts that might get loud in 2023. After struggling with injuries, the lefty figured out a souped-up arsenal with notably a firm slider and changeup, and posted a 1.97 ERA across 52 games of multi-inning relief work. With the Rangers upping the ante, Burke could become a linchpin of the bullpen or even a savior for a high-risk rotation. Think the Andrew Miller model: Some saves, some wins, and plenty of solid innings.

 

[saddles]

 

[DT LUNA]

Gallo to the Twins. 1yr $11million contract to play 1B. lol

 

[saddles]

 

[True Rangers Fan]

 

[Duane1952]

Gallo to the Twins. 1yr $11million contract to play 1B. lol

I can’t remember him playing first base before.

 

[True Rangers Fan]

I can’t remember him playing first base before.

59 games in '17 and 35 games in '18, plus single game appearances in '16 and then last year for the Dodgers.

 

[Kelleyman]

Be ironic if we get Profar and he finally has to play LF for the Rangers. Then Ian has gotten his way. Lol

 

[saddles]

59 games in '17 and 35 games in '18, plus single game appearances in '16 and then last year for the Dodgers.

As I recall he played very well at 1B.

 

[Kelleyman]

Lol