Texas Rangers eye Lorenzo Cain, so how would he fit?

The Texas Rangers have no interest in a rebuild. They’ve made that clear given their interest in free agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain. Cain would be worth every penny should the Rangers make an adequate offer.

Ever since their back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010-2011, Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels has treated each offseason and each season as World Series or bust. And, rightly so, as they have reached the playoffs in three of the past six years. However, a second guess is expected, given the Houston Astros’ success and the Los Angeles Angels’ productive offseason.

Each team is expected to make the climb atop the AL West extremely difficult. Texas doesn’t scare easily. Thursday’s news spotlighting the Rangers’ interest in free agent outfielder Lorenzo Cain illustrates Texas’ intentions to contend in 2018, and for years to come.

Lorenzo Cain would be an outstanding signing for the Texas Rangers. Defensively, Cain is one of the premier outfielders in all of baseball. His combination of length and speed create great-range, and he is as reliable as they come in the open green. The Rangers watched Carlos Gomez go to free agency; Lorenzo Cain would prevent any defensive drop off from Gomez.

Offensively, Cain would be welcomed by Texas with his traditional leadoff role. The Rangers struggled to find a leadoff fit in 2017. Carlos Gomez spent time at the top of the order, yet, ineffectively. Gomez provided the flare, but he struck out a ton, and he lacked in OBP. Delino DeShields proved to be a prototypical leadoff hitter.

DeShields slapped the ball on the ground, reached base often, and caused havoc when on base. Though, inconsistency is the issue with DeShields. He is far too streaky, and he does not combat his streakiness with any type of power that would keep him in the lineup even through his struggles.

What word best describes Lorenzo Cain’s game? Consistency. Cain has hit over .300 in three of his last four seasons. He’s also swiped 25+ bags in three of four years, and he passes with flying colors when it comes to OBP. Cain is undoubtedly the guy a team wants to trigger the rest of the lineup.

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Cain is also known to be a great teammate. He would fit in perfectly with a clubhouse inspired by the constant antics of Elvis Andrus and Adrian Beltre. Andrus and Beltre run the show in Texas; however, they do it from the infield. The Rangers could use a leader in an outfield that is currently comprised of 25-year-old Delino DeShields, 22-year-old Nomar Mazara, and 23-year-old Willie Calhoun with 13 big league games under his belt.

The young Rangers outfield has not performed at the defensive level required by legitimate MLB teams. Cain could provide leadership and knowledge to the young and inexperienced bunch.

The knock on Cain is his age. He has entered free agency in his age 32 season, two years away from the supposed “point of no return” age 34 season. Cain’s athleticism has been critical to his big league success. A tick off his speed or tick off his reaction time and Cain is suddenly an average player.

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Any doubt surrounding Cain is a shot in the dark. That being said, any uncertainty surrounding Cain lowers his bargaining power. The Texas Rangers have the money to afford a multi-year deal for Lorenzo Cain; however, they do not have the 2018 outlook that would outlast some of the more surefire contenders in free agency. Texas will have to make a generous offer to Cain, but there is certainly a lot to like on both sides. Cain to the Texas Rangers is plausible.