Texas Rangers: 3 key positions for the off-season

The Texas Rangers must decide the direction of their offseason. They have three positions at which they may or may not have to go shopping.

The worst thing that can happen to a franchise is mediocrity. Winning is obviously its own reward. Rebuilding is difficult but promises future success. Teams stuck in between are sort of rudderless, such as the Texas Rangers.

The Texas Rangers finished 78-84 in 2017, the very definition of mediocre. Making matters worse, they play in a division (and state) with the Houston Astros, a powerhouse in the regular season and reigning champion. The climb towards playoff contention is steep.

The roster is composed of several aging veterans, such as Adrian Beltre and Shin-Soo Choo, as well as promising youngsters, including Nomar Mazara and Joey Gallo. Even Rougned Odor is not yet 24 years-old. However, there are three spots in the lineup for which they must decide if they have an in-house candidate or if they must look elsewhere for help.

Watching their in-state rivals and divisional foes, the Houston Astros, raise that Commissioner’s Trophy and celebrate in style should be enough incentive for the team to be active in free agency and bounce back in 2018.