Right now’s mailbag will get into potential offensive additions for the Rangers, Bo Bichette commerce eventualities, the White Sox and the file books, requiring starters to go six innings, Jordan Walker‘s future, and rather more.
Kevin asks:
Do you see the Rangers getting a DH/ outfielder that hits for energy?
Evan Carter was the Rangers’ beginning left fielder getting into the season, however he struggled to hit and his season led to Could with a again harm. Carter is barely 22 years previous and went into this season as one of many sport’s finest prospects. He’ll need to re-establish himself a bit however I assume the Rangers will usually hold a spot open for him.
Carter may play heart discipline, which was manned by Leody Taveras this yr. Taveras suits higher in a fourth outfielder function. However making Carter your beginning heart fielder coming off a severe again harm and with out having confirmed himself as an enormous league hitter can be a dangerous plan.
Carter is one thing of a query mark, however then there’s Adolis Garcia. Garcia, 32 in March, is underneath contract for $9.25MM in 2025 after which probably underneath management for 2026 as an arbitration-eligible participant. Garcia was an All-Star from 2021-23 earlier than a misplaced ’24. Garcia’s 2024 season has gone like this: insane in April, principally unplayable from Could by way of July, after which about league common since August. Do you commerce him at a low level? The bounceback potential is decrease for a man who will likely be turning 32.
A lot-hyped rookie Wyatt Langford has logged 25 video games at DH plus 729 innings within the outfield (principally left). 23 in November, Langford has held his personal with a league common bat, flashing star potential in June in addition to during the last 10 days or so. His seemingly house is left discipline.
The ’23 Rangers noticed huge energy from Carter (briefly), Corey Seager, Garcia, Mitch Garver, Marcus Semien, and Josh Jung. Seager and Jung have continued to indicate fairly good energy, and Langford definitely may subsequent yr. Carter and Garcia are unknowns, with Semien becoming a member of them and never essentially anticipated to bounce again at age 34. The Rangers additionally do not get a lot pop at first base in Nathaniel Lowe.
A middle fielder who can hit would match higher than a nook man, however good luck discovering one. Luis Robert ought to be accessible, however he is coming off a Garcia-like season himself. Cody Bellinger may match on the Rangers position-wise, however he is posted a 105 wRC+ this season. Bellinger’s contract makes him laborious to commerce, as he’ll make $27.5MM in ’25 with a $25MM participant choice and $5MM buyout for ’26 (assuming he does not decide out this winter).
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