Good analysis above.

We need to keep Mitch for his offense and defense. He is a solid 1B.

I think JD will go out and try to get another starting pitcher to replace Gallardo and possibly Colby but I think he returns.

It wouldn't be surprised to see a trade executed that included Elvis, Profar, Mitch or even Gallo (Martin is gone).

What is our most glaring need for next year? Catcher? Pitching?

Where is Martin at contract-wise?

And maybe it's just that my reading comprehension sucks, but I'm not seeing DD on many poster's 2016 line-up. Don't think much of his arm, but his defense was decent and he was great in the lead-off spot. Why isn't he getting much love for CF?

I have DD in CF and leading off. His arm is a deficiency, but he's got legs and was a great spark at the top of the lineup. I think you just have to live with the arm. Ideally, you find a RH bat that can play CF, but I don't see it. I think you're finding a corner OF RH bat and living with DD's arm in CF.

Not liking what I've heard on Leonys. Don't think he's back with the team next season.

Deshields in CF is definitely a bad mismatch. Need to fix that up somehow.

Prince needs to be more consistent throughout the entire season. I wouldn't mind giving him rest games here and there before the All Star break, a la Duncan and the Spurs.

I like our pitching and bullpen. Good grouping of arms. I love having Hamels on our team.

Lastly, I don't know how you fix the infield situation. I'll leave that to JD.

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I have DD in CF and leading off. His arm is a deficiency, but he's got legs and was a great spark at the top of the lineup. I think you just have to live with the arm. Ideally, you find a RH bat that can play CF, but I don't see it. I think you're finding a corner OF RH bat and living with DD's arm in CF.

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Out of everything that I just posted about, DD in CF is the least serious issue.

Agent - I have him in CF. DD will be on the roster. My question is CF or MIF?! He converted from 2B to CF. His arm strength and work in the OF will make him a solid CF with hopefully going from a weak arm to an average arm in CF. OR, they could move him to MIF. Leonys has 3 more year of Arb.

Sex Panther - Cot's is Cot's...
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-west/texas-rangers/

They provide a repository for Baseball Contracts.

Regarding Leonys (27-LHB) and Rua (25-RHB)... I hadn't seen that they didn't report. That is interesting. Both were on the opening day roster as starters, so it shouldn't surprise anyone they were upset that injuries cost them their role. For Leonys, it was his performance initially, then injury.

A lot will be determined in Spring Training, IMO. If Mazara (20-LHB) and\or Brinson (21-RHB) demonstrate they can be serviceable, IMO, you go with the guy 4+ years younger.

Rua has done nothing to warrant throwing a tantrum and not showing. At 25, his years as a prospect are closing.

Leonys has demonstrated and established himself as a pretty high ceiling CF who has just not put it all together. His 2014 - .274\ 7 HR \ 31 SB was to be the turning point, IMO. If you look back at my comments on him for 2015 before and during his demotion... I contend he has off-the-field distractions. When he came to the US from Cuba, he was smuggled and extorted. Much of that became public.

It will be interesting to see what their side is. I'm giving Leonys the benefit of the doubt until I hear more...He might have been pissed because going into Arb, he might have been hoping to prove something in the Post-Season, whereas now, he won't get big money.

Rua is a different story.

IIRC, Leonys was not far behind Cespedes during the FA\Signing days coming from Cuba.

Martin could be a good trade chip with a "change of scenery" label. Team control through Arb during his peak years.

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Not liking what I've heard on Leonys. Don't think he's back with the team next season.

Deshields in CF is definitely a bad mismatch. Need to fix that up somehow.

Prince needs to be more consistent throughout the entire season. I wouldn't mind giving him rest games here and there before the All Star break, a la Duncan and the Spurs.

I like our pitching and bullpen. Good grouping of arms. I love having Hamels on our team.

Lastly, I don't know how you fix the infield situation. I'll leave that to JD.

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I'll keep saying it... DD was a converted 2B'er to CF. They've worked with him during the season to improve his mechanics, throwing angles and accuracy. I think an off-season will help. If they decide he is in the OF in 2016, he'll get a full off-season of defensive work. That will help his jump on the ball and his arm strength.

DeShields: .261 \ .344 OBP \ 2 HR \ 25 SB
Andrus: .258 \ .309 OBP \ 7 HR \ 25 SB
Odor: .261 \ .316 OBP \ 16 HR \ 6 SB

I don't think you can have all 3 in the lineup.

Here is the other thing (based on what is listed):

DD: 23 - 5'9" / 208
Mazara: 20 - 6'4" / 195
Brinson: 21 - 6'3" / 170 <- He could be a 20/20 guy with .300 BA

I like DeShields, but even if he improves his Defense\Arm... having DD, Andrus and Odor all in the lineup is a liability. If you can move DD to SS and trade Andrus, that might be something. I just wonder how much Andrus brings to the clubhouse.

I think that is how the Rangers got DD as a Rule V. There are better MIF defenders and bigger OF hitters. I like small ball as much as any NL'er, but you need some power.

Delino and Rougie are baseball babies. They will both be in the lineup unless there is a superior alternative. They both have a ton of room to grow, offensively and defensively.

This team will not go out and acquire an outfielder to take a major role. Delino and Brinson will be the CFers, I could see Stubbs being back as a NRI with a good chance of being the 5th OF. Venable will probably get a better offer somewhere than we'd be willing to give.

I am willing to bet Napoli will be back, we need a RH power bat.

Gallardo will get a QO, I doubt he will take it. I expect Colby to be back as an NRI if he doesn't get a guaranteed spot somewhere. I'm not convinced Holland was fully healthy at the end of the season. I think taking a liner off his pitching hand against Houston was a bigger deal than people realize. Our rotation has 4 spots cemented with Darvish, Hamels, Holland, and Perez. I don;t see us looking for a mid tier guy to fill the rotation, I think they will use Chi Chi and/or Colby. I could see ownership approving a deal for a stud like Price if they really felt like it would put us over the top, but otherwise we'd go with what we have. Darvish should be back well before mid-season, I would think May with an outside chance of even sooner.

Mazara will be a full time big leaguer by June, if not opening day. He is that good. That is why this team is not going to spend money on an outfielder, like Yoenis or Upton. I could see Choo getting traded, but we'd still have to pick up part of his contract and I'm not convinced JD & Co are ready to give up on him yet.

I don't expect major changes to this team. Their big off season acquisitions were Hamels, Diekman, Dyson, and hopefully Napoli. That said, I don't think they sit on their hands, but I think that unless there is a player that falls in their laps, they like the team as is, and why the hell not? Look at this team's record after the trade deadline! Extrapolate that over the course of 162 games and this is a quality team. Mediocrity at home in two games against an elite team and one inning of defensive lapse are the only reason we are talking about this right now.

Profar, Mazara, Brinson, and possibly one more right handed bench bat could bring massive improvement to this team, and some depth signings on the pitching staff will help as well. Remember, this organization typically does it's best work improving the team in the summer.

I don't see Napoli coming back. With Moreland and Prince on the roster there is just not a place for him. At best he could split time with Mitch in a platoon situation.

I could see a signing of a short term deal for a guy like Zobrist. He can play the infield and the outfield which would give you flexibility in your lineup. He is not the power bat that you would want, but he has some pop and gets on base. The short term contract would allow you to still bring your young outfielders along and not have to rush them up.

Just think its a little silly that we are assuming 2-3 ROOKIES will be key contributors next year. It's possible, but you can't count on it.

Trade Elvis Andrus to the Blue Jays for any unopened bottles of champagne that are left. He can be their backup shortstop/team mascot.

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Just think its a little silly that we are assuming 2-3 ROOKIES will be key contributors next year. It's possible, but you can't count on it.

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One thing we know is that the Rangers have had a couple rookies emerge each of the past couple years. With as many veterans as we have, we can afford to gamble on some young guys. Some times we get a glimpse in a previous year, like Odor. Sometimes they disappear, other times it is the start of something strong.

2015: DeShields (23), Chi Chi Gonzalez (23) and Kela (22)
2014: Odor (22)
2013: Martin Perez (22)

2016 could be any number of guys - Alberto, Mazara, Gallo, Brinson. We will likely see a pitcher.

Guys like Robbie Ross, Harrison, Holland... all guys who have come up through the system and had a breakout year in their early 20s.

Yeah... you can't count on it. DeShields could a bust in 2016.

When you look back at the Dodgers... they had 4 straight ROY and then had 5 straight ROY:
1979: Sutcliffe
1980: Steve Howe
1981: Valenzuela
1982: Steve Sax

1992: Karros
1993: Piazza
1994: Mondesi
1995: Nomo
1996: Hollandsworth

I happen to disagree about Nap. There is a very good chance he comes back. Unless someone gives him something he just can't turn down, he is very valuable as someone who can play multiple positions and a good right handed bat. Also, it's just very obvious that he brings so much to the clubhouse and we win when he is in a Ranger uniform.

BTW... I think a healthy development of prospects centers around having at least 1 Fielder, 1 SP and 1 RP make the jump to the majors each year.

Out of 10 drafted players along with any Internationals, you should get at least 2 guys each year.

Napoli currently plays one position and that's first base. The Rangers have two of those. I suppose they could continue to experiment with Nap in LF, but I just can't see him playing much there.

Napoli can't play catcher anymore and LF just doesn't seem to work. Zobrist will probably want more years than the Rangers would offer. He has played, LF, RF, 3B, 2B, and 1B. He is a switch hitter who hits left handed pitching well. He won't hit as many HRs as Nap, but he will hit for a higher average.

Zobrist is more versatile and can be used to rest guys. It would be really nice to be able to give Beltre some days off when needed. If Zobrist could be had on a 2 year deal then it makes sense. But, he will probably be looking for a 3 or 4 year deal. 3 years maybe, but you can't give him 4 years.

I like Hanser in zobrist role.

I want a badass LFer

I want an awesome left fielder too. I just don't think the rangers are going to have the money for an Upton or a Cespedes.

Tap the brakes on Cespedes.

2012 (26): 129 G \ .292 \ 23 HR \ 16 SB \ .356 OBP
2013 (27): 135 G \ .240 \ 26 HR \ 7 SB \ .294 OBP
2014 (28): 152 G \ .260 \ 22 HR \ 7 SB \ .301 OBP
2015 (29): 159 G \ .291 \ 35 HR \ 7 SB \ .328 OBP

What am I missing?!

Justin Upton: 2015 (27): 150 GP \ .251 \ 26 HR \ 19 SB \ .336 OBP

Career .271 BA \ .352 OBP \ 23 HRs per year.

Moreland: 2015 (29): 132 GP \ .278 \ 23 HR \ 1 SB \ .330 OBP

I don't trust Cespedes' numbers. Before this year he was about a .260\23 HR guy. Now he is a .328\35 guy? Somebody is going to get taken on that contract.

If you are pathetic like me... you can follow the Rangers' Az Fall League

The roster of Rangers is here.

You have:

RHP - John Fasola (23)
RHP - Adam Parks (22)
LHP - Ryne Slack (23)
RHP - Sam Wolff (24)
SS - Profar (22)
OF - Brinson (21)
OF - Rua (25) <- He may not have shown up.

Not sure when the Winter Leagues start, but they come soon...

Off-Season stats.

I think the Rangers would be a better team with the addition of Cespedes or Upton. However, they are going to be way over paid for what they will produce. Cespedes is also a reverse splits guy. He hits righties significantly better than lefties. I don't see the rangers being interested in either of these guys at the money they will want.

We are talking about them only because they are the best right handed bats that can play LF. Heyward is the best OF on the market, but he is a lefty and is going to get a massive contract.

Dexter Fowler is out there, but it's going to take more years and money than the Rangers would want to give him. I only offer up Zobrist as a versatile stop gap option until guys like Gallo, Brinson, and Mazara are ready.

How about Parra?

I think a guy like Parra is significantly more likely than someone like Cespedes. I do think they'll go the route of a more under the radar veteran.

I'd look to see what Leonys could bring in a trade. His years of team control remaining, lefty bat, and nice arm could bring something decent in spite of his issues lately. He might have reached the change of scenery point here.

I'd like Cespedes or Upton, but who I'd really like is us swinging a deal for Lucroy to solidify the catching.

Why are we not talking about DeShields in LF? His arm is better suited for LF, and his speed would make him above average. Barry Bonds and Ricky Henderson were prototype guys out there who could really get the ball but couldn't throw very well.

Can Odor play SS? DD just looks more like a 2B to me - I don't think he has the arm for SS, but Odor does.

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Tap the brakes on Cespedes.

2012 (26): 129 G \ .292 \ 23 HR \ 16 SB \ .356 OBP
2013 (27): 135 G \ .240 \ 26 HR \ 7 SB \ .294 OBP
2014 (28): 152 G \ .260 \ 22 HR \ 7 SB \ .301 OBP
2015 (29): 159 G \ .291 \ 35 HR \ 7 SB \ .328 OBP

What am I missing?!

Justin Upton: 2015 (27): 150 GP \ .251 \ 26 HR \ 19 SB \ .336 OBP

Career .271 BA \ .352 OBP \ 23 HRs per year.

Moreland: 2015 (29): 132 GP \ .278 \ 23 HR \ 1 SB \ .330 OBP

I don't trust Cespedes' numbers. Before this year he was about a .260\23 HR guy. Now he is a .328\35 guy? Somebody is going to get taken on that contract.

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1) Cespedes spent a lot of pre-2015 hitting in Oakland, a poor place to hit.

2) He averages 35 doubles and 6 triples per 162 games and he runs well enough. (I'm not exactly sure we should be directly comparing Mitch Moreland and Cespedes but Moreland averages 27 doubles and 1 triple per 162 games.)

3) His baseline is higher than say, Moreland's. Cespedes has never had an OPS below .737. Moreland has finished 3 of his 6 seasons below .737. That has helped Cespedes develop a career OPS .44 points higher than Moreland's.


Was he getting paid too much money? Perhaps yeah, But if you have any level of "trust" in Moreland or Leonys Martin and some of the other guys you've talked about, you have to have some trust in Cespedes.

Do you want to sign Justin Upton?

Rangers post season press conference is streaming on the ticket right now if anyone is interested

We've acknowledged that DD would probably be better suited to LF from an arm perspective, but then the issue is (1) who plays CF and (2) the team could use a RH bat with some pop much more than a better arm in CF. A "two birds with one stone" solution of finding a strong defensive CF with the quality RH bat is unlikely. The lineup does not need another light pop speed guy. It needs someone with the pop to drive those guys in.

And to Dallas' point above, DD is not a career CF. It's a new position and the kid has some wheels. A guy's arm has only so much potential, but there is some work that can be put in to improve his overall play out there.

I think everyone is cool with Choo in RF. Funny to think a few months ago he was being run out of town.

Let's say you have the same $144M spent in 2015 for 2016.

We sit at $120M for 9 players.

Let's say for $15M we get Arbs: Leonys Martin, Moreland, Corporan, Gimenez, Diekman, Tolleson, Chirions)

For our the 11+/- Serfs you have about $7M: (Freeman, Odor, DeShields, Dyson, Kela, Alberto, Claudio, Faulkeker, Gallo, Chi Chi and Jackson).

That's about 27 players. You have 4 Catchers and they are 31-32 each.

For OF you have: Choo (5), DD (Serf), Leonys (Arb1), Hamilton (2), Gallo (Serf), Rua (Serf)?!

I believe our starting OF for 2015 went:
Rua-Leonys-Choo

We could have DD-Leonys-Choo and that is pretty decent, although not too much pop. There is just too much to learn over the next 4-5 months and the range is huge.

I don't think Rua is the answer. Worst case scenario Rua is LF.
Hamilton could snort coke off a stripper's breast or be healthy and go .320\40HR.
Leonys is healthy... He is every bit the CF. Great D, Great Arm, Good Offense.
Mazara or Brinson could emerge.

TXAggie2011 - No I don't want Upton.

Here is why... Upton will want 4-5 years...likely get what 4 years with an option on 5. Barring injury or major setback, you have Mazara and Brinson who are holding an OF job by end of 2015. Now you have to move someone. If neither are ready... you can serve Hamilton or Rua or Leonys. I just don't see making a long-term deal. If you still feel you have a hole mid 2016... do a trade deadline deal.

Someone like Matt Kemp is appealing, if we trade say Leonys Martin.

All this money talk reminds me of the days of Kevin Millwood and Vacente Padilla. Weren't they making about $10M-$11M/year, and were the highest paid players on the roster? And now we're paying multiple guys more than that?

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All this money talk reminds me of the days of Kevin Millwood and Vacente Padilla. Weren't they making about $10M-$11M/year, and were the highest paid players on the roster? And now we're paying multiple guys more than that?

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Welcome to 2015

Delino was moved from 2B to the outfield in the minors because he was terrible. When Rougie was sent down and the Rangers were looking for someone who wasn't completely worthless in the lineup to fill the hole at 2B, they tried working Delino out and he wasn't ready enough to put out there. This is a team that was cool sticking Napoli in LF to get Mitch Moreland's bat in the lineup against LHPs, but wasn't willing to take a chance with Delino at 2B when the other options were horrible.

Delino Deshields will likely never ever play infield in the majors and thinking that he's gonna be some replacement for Elvis at SS is a joke. If the Rangers move Elvis, the only player currently in the org. who could replace him is Alberto, though I don't believe JD would go into the season next year with Alberto as the starting SS.

While I'm sure Deshields will be part of the regular lineup, either in LF or CF, I really wish he could be the 4th OF unless he can improve his bat to the point that his OBP sees real improvement. I'm hopeful that his approach and hitting is certainly something that can improve though. He will be limited to being at best a 3 tool player, so he needs those 3 to be the best they can. His arm is super terrible, like whoa bad. He will never hit for power, and in fact, when he tries to, he becomes a worse hitter. Not being a natural outfielder, his defense is coming along, but he still isn't great at taking great routes and makes bad decisions on tough balls.

Agree with Dock about DD. Probably get schooled by one of you baseball statistician types, but that's how it seemed to me as well.

Agree. His speed seemed to provide a real spark to the offense vs alternatives we saw all year. You can't have an All Star at every position. Some are going to have some shortcomings you have to overcome. His OBP and his outfield defensive skills should improve with more time. He's still quite young.