The Sunday Read: Texas Rangers face hard truth that 2021 roster doesn’t have many long-term keepers

(AP photo/Elise Amendola)
The starting lineup posted Friday by Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward featured no player batting better than .267.
Four players were batting .209 or worse. One of them, maybe, was good enough to have been in the Boston Red Sox’s lineup.
Two hadn’t been in the major leagues more than a month. They likely would likely still be in the minors if not for the Rangers’ 43-80 record in a full-blown rebuilding season that will continue in 2022.
This season has been a tryout for the future. Twenty-three rookies have been on the roster, and seven more exceeded the rookie threshold only last season.
The 2021 season is about them and their development, and some have developed.
Just not enough, and just not enough of them.