2021 Pre-Season Profile: Texas Rangers

 #29

The Texas Rangers had the misfortune of opening a brand new ballpark in the midst of a pandemic, then watching the World Series be played there even though they weren't in it.  The Rangers disappointed in 2020.  Will they bounce back in 2021?

2020 Predictions

#23 - 4th in AL West

MIH - Willie Calhoun

MIP - Corey Kluber

PTW - Nick Solak

FP - Three players on the Rangers' Opening Day roster retire after the 2020 season.

2020 Results

#29 - 22-38, 5th in AL West

Any hope that the shortened 2020 season would be a success went out the window on Opening Day when their big offseason pickup, Corey Kluber, lasted one inning in his only start with the team before injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.  That moment seemed to sum up their season perfectly.  So many things looked like they could have been heading in the right direction, but they all went wrong instead.  Nick Solak did have a strong 2020, playing in almost every game.  Lance Lynn was another standout in 2020, but there wasn't much to be excited about beyond that.  My choice for their Most Important Hitter in 2020, Willie Calhoun, finished the season with an OPS+ of 34...

Additions / Subtractions

The 2020 offseason was about trying to start the new era of Rangers baseball in their new stadium with a bang.  The 2021 offseason was more about setting up the team for a rebuild that will have them successful in the future.  They took advantage of Lance Lynn's strong 2020 by trading him while his stock was high to the White Sox.  They traded closer Rafael Montero to the Mariners.  They signed Japanese import Kohei Arihara to be a part of their rotation.  They took low-risk fliers on injury-riddled players like David Dahl and Mike Foltynewicz.  The most significant transaction they made was trading Elvis Andrus to the A's for OF/DH Khris Davis as the last remnant of the Rangers' World Series runs of the early 2010's was sent off.

Most Important Hitter

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

One of the reasons the Rangers felt comfortable trading away Elvis Andrus is their desire to establish Isiah Kiner-Falefa as their everyday shortstop.  Kiner-Falefa has been a valuable utility player over the last few seasons, with the added versatility of being able to catch.  In 2020, he spent most of his season at third base, and became the best position player on the roster in terms of WAR while winning the Gold Glove at third base.  Now, he is going to be their shortstop.  His glove shouldn't be a problem, but his bat needs to be more impactful to prove to fans that this transition was worth losing a face of the franchise.

Most Important Pitcher

Mike Foltynewicz

The pitching staff of the Rangers for 2021 is piecemealed together for the most part.  However, one player that could have a huge impact that could help the Rangers greatly is Mike Foltynewicz.  In 2018, Folty was an All Star that received Cy Young votes for the Braves.  By the end of 2020, he had fallen so far that the Braves didn't tender him a contract.  Only entering his age 29 season, if he can recapture the magic that made him an All Star, this could be a future ace for the Rangers.

Prospect to Watch

Dane Dunning

Another potential future centerpiece of the Rangers' pitching staff is Dane Dunning.  The top prospect acquired in the Lance Lynn trade, Dunning made his big league debut in 2020 for the White Sox with decent success.  Still considered a top 100 prospect in baseball, look for this rookie to get every opportunity to have a breakout season in 2021.

2021 Prediction

5th in AL West

It seems that 2020 proved to the Rangers that they have a long way to go before they can compete.  Their roster does not look good.  They have a lot of work to do before they can compete again.  They do have some young pieces that will be exciting to watch, but this might be the least interesting roster in the big leagues, not a title you want while welcoming your fans to a new stadium for the first time.

Fearless Prediction

Chris Woodward will be fired mid-season.

Chris Woodward has not really been given a fair shot in his first run as a big league manager.  He really hasn't had much to work with.  However, look for him to be the scapegoat for a franchise trying to prove to their fans that they are trying to win sooner rather than later.