Rangers' lineup and rotation far from set

ARLINGTON -- Ryan Rua started in left field for the Rangers in the last game of the 2014 season. Technically that means Rua is the incumbent at the position going into Spring Training.

In reality, it is difficult to set a projected batting order for the Rangers in the countdown to Spring Training because left field is completely undecided. Rua is just one of 11 candidates for that spot in the lineup.

Also, it is difficult to project the rotation until the Rangers officially name a fifth starter. Left-hander Ross Detwiler appears to be the leading candidate but the Rangers are also looking at right-handers Nick Tepesch, Nick Martinez, Anthony Ranaudo and Lisalverto Bonilla well.

The Rangers will also need the full six weeks and beyond to put together a bullpen.

But it is always good to establish a baseline for the projected lineup going into Spring Training.

2014 record
67-95, 5th in the AL West

Projected batting order
1. CF Leonys Martin :
.274 BA, .325 OBP, .364 SLG, 68 runs, 31 SB in 2014
2. SS Elvis Andrus :
.263 BA, .314 OBP, .333 SLG, 72 runs, 27 SB in 2014
3. 3B Adrian Beltre :
.324 BA, .388 OBP, .492 SLG, 19 HR, 77 RBI in 2014
4. 1B Prince Fielder :
.247 BA, .360 OBP, .360 SLG, 3 HR, 16 RBI in 2014
5. RF Shin-Soo Choo :
.242 BA, .340 OBP, .374 SLG, 13 HR, 40 RBI in 2014
6. DH Mitch Moreland :
.246 BA, .297 OBP, .347 SLG, 2 HR, 23 RBI in 2014
7. LF Ryan Rua:
.295 BA, .321 OBP, .419 SLG, 2 HR, 14 RBI in 2014
8. 2B Rougned Odor :
.259 BA, .297 OBP, .402 SLG, 9 HR, 48 RBI in 2014
9. C Robinson Chirinos :
.239 BA, .290 OBP, .415 SLG, 13 HR, 40 RBI in 2014

Projected rotation
1. Derek Holland , 2-0, 1.46 ERA in 2014
2. Yu Darvish ,10-7, 3.06 ERA in 2014
3. Yovani Gallardo , 8-11, 3.51 ERA in 2014
4. Colby Lewis , 10-14, 5.18 ERA in 2014
5. Ross Detwiler, 2-3, 4.00 ERA in 2014

Projected bullpen
Closer: Neftali Feliz , 13/14 saves, 1.99 ERA in 2014
RH setup man: Tanner Scheppers , 0-1, 9.00 ERA in 2014
LH setup man: Alex Claudio , 2.92 ERA in 2014