Rotation depth a major concern at outset
SURPRISE, Ariz. — It’s time to get real.
When the Texas Rangers returned to work Thursday after an off day, they were officially two weeks out from opening day. They also returned with the sobering reality that, in all likelihood, there were no reinforcements coming for the starting rotation.
The pursuit of Dylan Cease had, well, ceased when the Rangers were unwilling to give up a fiveplayer package of prospects. And it didn’t appear that there were any active conversations with, or about, Jordan Montgomery.
In other words, it’s time to move forward with what’s on hand. The time for boundless optimism about further additions seems to have passed. It’s time for a reality check roster projection:
Note: * — Denotes nonroster invitees who would have to be added to the 40man roster.
Starting rotation (5)
RHP Nathan Eovaldi, LHP Andrew Heaney, RHP Jon Gray, RHP Dane Dunning, LHP Cody Bradford
The Rangers appear unwilling to budge on Jordan Montgomery and couldn’t land Dylan Cease, so they appear to be stuck with what they’ve got. Stuck is a bad word. These five have pitched well this spring. If they stay healthy, they very possibly can hold things down until reinforcements potentially arrive from the IL in June and beyond. Bradford has certainly pitched well enough to earn a rotation spot. In other years, this would be hailed as a breakout spring. Instead, the Rangers really wish they had an option to use Bradford as a multi-inning reliever two or three times a week. That doesn’t appear to be the case.
There isn’t anybody on the 40-man roster who appears to be an option as an injury replacement. Jack Leiter has had a nice spring. Expect the Rangers to pore over the wire as veteran pitchers on nonroster deals in other camps start to use their opt-outs.
Bullpen (8)
RHP Jose Leclerc, RHP David Robertson, RHP Josh Sborz, RHP Kirby Yates, LHP Brock Burke, RHP Diego Castillo*, RHP Jesús Tinoco*, LHP Jake Latz
The Rangers’ bullpen pool looks significantly deeper than a year ago at this time. That said, to optimize that, the Rangers also need to be mindful of how to hold on to the most arms possible and give themselves the most flexibility when heavy workloads require shuttling in fresh arms.
Tinoco has been as good as anybody in camp this spring, and the fact that he pitched into a third inning in a game earlier this week seems a real indication the Rangers are thinking hard about a multi-inning role.
Latz had three multi-inning scoreless outings last September for the Rangers, has pitched well this spring, would give them a second lefty in the bullpen and is optionable for when the Rangers might need a fresh arm. He could be interchanged with Grant Anderson, Marc Church and Yerry Rodriguez, all of whom are righthanded. The Rangers could begin with any of this group in the bullpen; we’re giving Latz the edge to give them a second lefty in the bullpen.
Catchers (2)
Jonah Heim, Andrew Knizner
Sam Huff didn’t even make a nominal bid to create competition for the backup catching job. Huff was sent out early in camp after going 1-for-16 with five strikeouts. This will be his last minor league option. At 26, he has a 33% strikeout rate in 210 career plate appearances. He’s left himself no margin for error to grab a toehold in the Rangers organization. That said, he’s got the talent to be a nice fill-in if a catcher gets hurt.
Infield (6)
1B Jared Walsh*, 2B Marcus Semien, SS Corey Seager, 3B Josh Jung, UTI Ezequiel Duran, UTI Josh Smith
What to do with José Barrero, the intriguing waiver claim the Rangers made just a week ago? Had the Rangers used Ezequiel Duran in a Dylan Cease trade, Barrero would have fit very nicely as the righthanded-hitting half of the Super Utility Twins (along with Josh Smith). Now, it’s more complicated. Barrero is out of minor league options, so he’d have to be exposed to waivers before he could be sent to the minors. If Seager or Jung ends up on the IL to start the year, it’s easier to carry Barrero. If not, the Rangers could keep him for the week or so they’d need to get Seager/ Jung ready, then expose him to waivers when rosters are more set.
The other complication: How to hold on to Jared Walsh once Nathaniel Lowe gets back from his oblique injury? One thing both these questions have in common: They could render Josh Smith’s spot as a second super utility superfluous, especially if there is a desire to keep Walsh long-term.
Outfield (5)
OF Evan Carter, OF Leody Taveras, OF Adolis García, OF Travis Jankowski, OF-DH Wyatt Lang ford
Is there any way to view Langford’s spring with any skepticism at all? Even the slightest hint might make the Rangers decide to act more cautious with him. But he began Thursday second in all of baseball in OPS this spring. He’s crushed it. What the Rangers have to figure out is exactly how they want to divide his time between the outfield and DH and, more importantly, if he’s the best option to hit third in this lineup.
Injured list (5)
RHP Jonathan Hernández, 1B Nathaniel Lowe, RHP Jacob degrom (60 day), RHP Tyler Mahle (60 day), RHP Max Scherzer (60 day)
The three starters who will start on the 60-day IL make it easy to add the three non-roster players to the 40-man roster. Players on the 60-day IL do not count against the 40-man roster.