Key Offseason Additions
Who says you can’t go home again (and again)? Yes, Mike Napoli is back for his third stint in Texas on a one-year deal with a club option. The 11-year veteran enjoyed a resurgent season with Cleveland last year, hitting 34 homers and driving in 101 runs, both career highs. While he struck out at a 30 percent clip, his power output more than made up for it. However, at 35 years old, it might be a bit too much to expect Napoli to duplicate those numbers in 2017.
He should still produce in a hitter-friendly environment like Globe Life Park (career .929 OPS with Texas), but there’s a reason teams weren’t exactly falling over themselves to sign Napoli this winter. He’ll be a positive presence in the Rangers clubhouse, though, replacing the leadership of a few departed players.
The Rangers signed James Loney to a minor league contract in January to bolster the ranks at first base, but he’ll likely be in for a fight to make the Opening Day roster. Napoli figures to split time between designated hitter and first base, with Ryan Rua also in the mix. Former top prospects Joey Gallo and Jurickson Profar could get opportunities there, too. Once a fairly underrated bat, Loney managed an uninspiring .265/.307/.397 slash line in 100 games for the Mets last season.
Texas also took another minor league flyer on Josh Hamilton on the small chance that he could recapture some of his former glory. That’s looking even more unlikely after lingering discomfort in his left knee required him to undergo yet another surgery. If the former MVP makes an impact on a major league field again, it will be a legitimate surprise.
Tyson Ross could be the biggest x-factor of the bunch.
The Rangers made a series of low-risk speculative additions to their pitching staff, bringing in Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner on one-year deals and Dillon Gee on a minors contract. In the case of Ross and Cashner, the team will have to wait to really see what they can do. Ross is still recovering from thoracic outlet surgery, and Cashner is expected to also open the season on the DL with a shoulder injury.
Ross could be the biggest x-factor of the bunch for Texas. He missed virtually all of last year, but over the three previous seasons he posted a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 2.63 K/BB ratio for the Padres. In 2014 and 2015 he made over 30 starts and came just a few innings shy of the 200 mark. If he can get back to that kind of production, he would fit in nicely alongside Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish in the rotation.
Cashner, meanwhile, has struggled outside San Diego, and Arlington might not be the best place for him to re-discover his mojo, despite being in his home state. He’s managed just a 4.72 ERA and 1.48 WHIP over the past two seasons.
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