Offseason checklist: Rangers’ needs & moves

ARLINGTON -- After finishing 2020 with an American League-worst 22-38 record, the Rangers are in a rebuilding mode, marked by the organization’s total commitment to its core of young players.

Everything Texas does this winter will be based on how it impacts its driving philosophy of building around the foundation established this past season. The Rangers will investigate the free-agent market, but they will not sign anybody who has the potential to stand in the way of a young player.

“This season is ultimately going to be marked by us moving into a youth movement,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “Everything we do moving forward is going to revolve around that. Our winter additions are going to look to fit into the roster we are putting together and also fit into the development-minded culture we need to have.”

What the Rangers need to do -- especially with their starting rotation -- is add veteran players who can fill roles until their young prospects are ready contribute regularly at the Major League level.

Texas must be judicious in how it develops its young players and puts them in position to succeed.

BIGGEST NEEDS

Offensive firepower
The Rangers hit 27 home runs in 30 games at Globe Life Field. The Dodgers and Braves combined for 25 homers over seven games in the National League Championship Series at the ballpark. The Dodgers and Rays combined for 21 homers in six games during the World Series, which was also held there.

The idea that Texas lacked power this past season because of Globe Life Field was decisively refuted during the postseason. In other words, it may have been the Rangers' offense, not the new ballpark.

Texas has three spots where it could add offensive help: designated hitter, first base and left field. Certainly, the Rangers could add a bat at DH without disrupting the development of some of their young players.

First base
The Rangers currently have Ronald Guzmán at first base, and he hit .244/.314/.436 over 26 games this year. Over the past three seasons, he has hit .230/.308/.417 with 30 home runs in 721 at-bats.

Guzmán has been perceived to be Texas' first baseman of the future for the past three years, but he has yet to seize the job. He is now 26 and will be out of options next season.

Guzmán is considered an excellent defensive player, but manager Chris Woodward said he needs to see more consistency.

Left field, second base, third base or shortstop
The Rangers are set at all four positions. Maybe. Here are the current options:

• They have Nick Solak to play left field, except he has yet to produce the kind of offensive numbers needed from the position. His best position is second base.

• They also have Eli White to play left field. He is a superior defensive player and making significant progress offensively. But he has yet to be given a real chance to show he can produce with the bat at the big league level.

• They have Rougned Odor to play second, and he has led the club in RBIs each of the past two seasons. However, this year, he hit .167 and had a .209 on-base percentage.

• They have Isiah Kiner-Falefa to play third base. He is a standout defensive player, but his .370 slugging percentage this past season is quite low for a third baseman. The other four starting third basemen in the AL West are Seattle's Kyle Seager, Los Angeles' Anthony Rendon, Houston's Alex Bregman and Oakland's Matt Chapman.

• They have Elvis Andrus to play shortstop, unless Kiner-Falefa is moved there. That would open up a spot for Josh Jung, perceived to be the long-term answer at third base, although he has yet to play above Class A.

Starting pitching
One of the biggest needs for the Rangers could be filled if right-handers Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles meet expectations. Both fell short of that in 2020. Right now, they join fellow righty Lance Lynn at the top of Texas' rotation.

The Rangers have plenty of candidates for the bottom of the rotation, including right-hander Kyle Cody and left-handers Kolby Allard, Wes Benjamin, John King, Taylor Hearn and Joe Palumbo.

There are also plenty of reasons -- lack of innings, experience, success, health -- why it could be unwise to go into Spring Training without at least one or two proven veterans in case the young arms aren’t ready.

MOVES MADE

Oct. 30: RHP Corey Kluber's option not picked up
The Rangers declined to pick up an $18 million option on the two-time AL Cy Young Award winner. Texas has expressed interest in re-signing him to a lesser contract.

Oct. 26: Doug Mathis, Brendan Sagara promoted to co-pitching coaches
Mathis was the bullpen coach last season, while Sagara helped oversee the alternate training site. They will share the pitching-coach duties.

Oct. 21: RHP Art Warren claimed off waivers
Warren pitched in six games for the Mariners in 2019, and was at their alternate training site this past summer.