Roland *****t said:
1. I like Bubba Thompson's speed and defense, but will his bat produce enough offense to make him a legit full-time outfielder in this lineup?
2. Do we have young outfield power bats that we're expecting to be major league ready in '23-'24?
3. Any ideas of which starting pitchers we should target in free agency this offseason?
You'll get more than 1 opinion, I'd suspect, so I'll throw mine out.
1. Time will tell. I think at worse he is a PH/PR and late game substitution. If Taveras (CF-23) continues to show his belongs and you take Adolis (RF-29)... that's a pretty good start at a cheap and productive OF. Like Bubba, all 3 are Serfs next year. Adolis becomes Arb in 2024, so he still has 4 years of team control.
With his speed, Bubba likely has a floor as a Utility OF and PR in playoff situations.
2.
The Rangers have a stockpile of 2B/LF journeymen that have varying holes in their game. Evan Carter was a 2020 draftee. A guy very few people knew about and I criticized the Rangers for picking him in the 2nd Rd. Dude looks legit and if he continues to develop, I think many are going to wonder how in the world the Rangers got him.
He is 19 at A+ hitting .288, .288 OB, 11 HR, 10 3B, 24 SB. Projected to be at MLB in 2024 at the age of 21 and looks like he could be a 5-Tool guy.
From the link:
Quote:
He not only possesses plus speed but Carter also has the instincts to steal bases and chase down balls in center field. His arm strength grades as average to solid, so he's capable at all three outfield positions. The valedictorian of his high school class, he stands out with his intelligence and makeup in addition to his tools.
Dustin Harris could be one to watch, as well.
I don't think the Rangers will go after a LF in FA, but they could.
3. First SP I'd like to see them go after is their own Martin Perez. He is #7 in AL ERA and has had a solid year. Question most have is whether he has turned the corner to be a legit SP. His problem has always been that he starts to get into trouble and then falls apart. This season he has been able to make the minor corrections to get out of jams and it shows in his numbers.
Gray was signed this past off-season and is controlled for 3 more years. He is likely a #3... if he stays healthy.
Dunning is likely a #4/5. Rangers have 4 more years of control for him.
So, if the Rangers sign Perez, they have 3 solid SPs.
Otto has really come on. In his 6 GS since the ASB he is 3.27, 1.273 WHIP, 33.0 IP, 24 SO. He could fill the 5th SP role... or better.
Now it becomes dicey. We have 3-4 guys that are great prospects. Ragans, Leiter, Rocker, White, Winn... could all become legit SPs as soon as 2024.
So, if we go out and sign a big SP for big money, in addition to Perez, we won't have enough Starts for all the arms. Great place to be... IF... big IF... they all develop.
Leiter was projected to have a ceiling of a #1/#2. Rocker equally as talented.
