The Sunday Read: A way-too-early Rangers Opening Day roster projection
February 5, 2023
(AP photo/LM Otero)
The thinking here used to be that publishing an Opening Day roster projection opened a writer up to massive failure, ridicule and shame.
Upon further inspection, though, it’s not rocket science.
There are 26 spots on an active MLB roster. Teams can have no more than 13 pitchers. The majority of the roster is set before spring training even begins.
Take the Rangers. It’s an incredibly safe bet that, barring injury, their five-man rotation is settled. Barring injury, the four infield spots are determined, and so are the two catchers and two of the three outfielders.
That one paragraph has half the Opening Day roster.
I actually love your current 26 man roster and I cannot disagree or argue with any of it. Cheers!
I don’t know if I’ll go 26 for 26, but I’d be happy with that roster were I the Rangers.
Not one of the projected five starts came from the Rangers draft, Latin America scouting or their farm system. Perez was originally signed by the Rangers, but he is really back as a free agent like the rest of the starting five.
Nor are there pitchers in that projected rotation who were acquired in all those rebuilding trades.
They had 2 guys from trades who could’ve started in the rotation, but the front office is impatient. (Dunning and Otto) They will get starts eventually though. Maybe Ragans or Cody too.
Keep Cody stretched put in Round Rock.
They need to sign Moore or Chafin.
I imagine one or two of the NRI will make the bullpen.
Duran can start every day in Round Rock and get better in the OF. By the AS break the outfield starters will be Smith, Duran and Garcia.
There is medical concern about Cody’s durability as a starter going forward.
In the past, teams have been loath to run out a catcher as DH with no other backup for even a game, let alone every day. If Garver is the regular DH (and he is the best candidate to be that), they will strongly consider carrying Leon or Huff.
I’ve asked and asked about the third catcher, and there’s no worry. Bochy said, “I’ll find a third catcher.”
I like it – I suppose Boch’ll suit up in a pinch!