Texas Rangers: Isiah Kiner-Falefa to usher in a new era in Texas

The Texas Rangers are prepping to shake up their infield ahead of the 2021 season.

On April 6th, 2009, a rookie shortstop by the name of Elvis Andrus made his MLB debut on Opening Day for the Texas Rangers, going 1-4 with a double off Cleveland Indians starter Cliff Lee.

Every single Opening Day since, Andrus has been the starting shortstop for Texas, but that streak appears set to come to an end. As reported by Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers are looking to move Isiah Kiner-Falefa, their Gold Glove-winning third baseman, over to shortstop for the 2021 season.

Andrus, 32, struggled in just 29 games last season, slashing .194/.252/.330 with a dismal wRC+ of 48. For the first time in his career, Andrus finished the season with a negative Wins Above Replacement value, ending 2020 worth -0.4 fWAR. He will now have to rebound in a utility role for Texas, if he remains in a Rangers uniform.

According to Grant, Andrus has been informed of this decision and has not requested a trade in an attempt to find a full-time role elsewhere. With $28 million left on his contract and 10/5 rights, it may be difficult for the Rangers to move Andrus in any sort of deal, but there’s still an opportunity for him to get at-bats in 2021.

It’s a pretty big shakeup for the rebuilding Texas Rangers who will have every single infield position up for grabs when spring training rolls around, leaving Andrus and Rougnend Odor, two of their highest-paid players, in a tough fight for playing time.

While rookie Nick Solak played the majority of his games in the outfield, Solak will compete with Odor for the starting second base job next season. If he can show the organization he can handle the position defensively, Solak and Kiner-Falefa will form a young, intriguing double-play combination that Texas could look to keep in place for the foreseeable future.

As for third base, top-ranked prospect Josh Jung may not be too far away from making his MLB debut and solidifying the hot corner. With the Rangers likely not competing for a divisional title in 2021, attempting to find a new home for Kiner-Falefa now, could prevent any potential headaches down the road when Jung is ready for the majors.

Moving Kiner-Falefa now also allows Texas to find out if his improving bat can play well as a shortstop. With a very deep free agent class of shortstops becoming available next winter, the Rangers will have the next year to decide whether Kiner-Falefa, a potential Gold Glover at shortstop as well, is their guy, or if they should prepare to be players for a Francisco Lindor, Trevor Story or one of the other upcoming big-name free agent shortstops.

Kiner-Falefa hit .280 with a .329 OBP and three home runs in 58 games last season. His eight career home runs in 234 major league games isn’t the type of power teams want out of their third baseman, but his glove is impressive and the bat is improving. He now has an opportunity to carve out a new role in Texas and lead a growing group of younger talents forming what the Rangers hope is their next core to build around.

In the meantime, the Texas Rangers are set to usher in a new era on the field as they begin the process of replacing Elvis Andrus with Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Let the youth movement in Texas begin.