I’m not trying to be a buzzkill here, and despite the flurry of activity before the lockout happened, I’m going to make an effort to keep us fans grounded.
There’s still a lot of work to do, and the Texas Rangers are not done with their off-season spree. Once the lockout ends, expect a lot more to happen – including trades.
Despite Texas adding Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Jon Gray to long-term deals – as well as adding Kole Calhoun to a one-year deal – the Rangers are not expecting to contend in 2022. There are a lot of things that have to come to fruition for the team to be contending in 2023, which is a more realistic goal.
The pre-lockout flurry was exciting, obviously. The Texas brass put their money where their mouth is, almost literally. They fulfilled the promise of being big spenders this off-season by ponying up $561.2 million and bringing in some superstars to lead the team forward.
But there is so much more that needs to happen for the Rangers to contend in 2022. This could be a situation like the 2009 Texas team that surprised people and were fighting for a playoff spot right to season’s end. But lets chill on that and just watch.
The Rangers still need guys like Adolis Garcia, Taylor Hearn, Dane Dunning and even Kolby Allard to prove their worth in their second full season in the big leagues. The same could be said for pitchers in the bullpen, such as Joe Barlow. And while they won’t be ready to start the season, the returns of Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez are going to be something to keep an eye on.
Demarcus Evans has the potential to be an excellent middle-to-late relief arm, and while he has dominated in the minor leagues, his inconsistency on an MLB mound has many worried that his stuff will not transition to the big time.
Super-utility man Andy Ibanez needs to prove it again, and the futures of Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Solak are up in the air – and the answer to their respective futures will likely be determined as soon as the lockout ends.
You also have a logjam in the middle infield now, as far as prospects go. Guys like Justin Foscue, Ezekiel Duran, Luisangel Acuna and Josh Smith are now blocked by the signings of Seager and Semien. Don’t be surprised if a couple of them are moved once the lockout ends in order to acquire major league-ready talent.
There are so many questions yet to be answered, and unfortunately those answers are being blocked right now due to the lockout. Everyone is mum right now, and despite many efforts from media members close to The Ranger Report, everyone has reportedly gone silent.
So we wait. And wait.
No matter what has happened or will happen this off-season, we all need to take a chill pill for 2022. It’s certainly going to be a much more fun season than the 102-loss “grueler” that was 2021.
Let’s remain patient and, as the old saying goes, trust the process.
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