Texas Rangers: 3 key positions for the off-season

Left Field

No one started more than 57 games in left field for the Texas Rangers in 2017. Delino Deshields, Nomar Mazara, Joey Gallo, Ryan Rua, Jurickson Profar, and others all spent time at the position.  Sorting through the mess has to be an off-season priority.

The favorite to win the job might be Willie Calhoun, a prospect acquired from the Dodgers in the Yu Darvish trade. Calhoun is listed at 5’8, 187 lb., but is likely shorter and heftier. He’s spent most of his minor league career at second base, but few scouts think he could ever stick at an up-the-middle position. What he CAN do is hit. In AAA he slashed .300/.355/.572 with 31 HR, earning a brief call to the majors.

The Texas Rangers must determine if he’s ready for the big leagues on a permanent basis, especially defensively. If not, there are plenty of outfielders in the free agent market. As things stand currently the team might rotate Calhoun, Mazara, and Shin-Soo Choo between LF, RF, and DH.

Joey Gallo is a curious case, a player who can mash, but really doesn’t accomplish much else — except for striking out. He is best served as a DH or even an off the bench power threat.