Ring In A Ranger New Year

The last time we updated the Rangers roster was just before Christmas. We mentioned there was still work to be done. Sure enough a couple of days later we learned that fan favorite Nathaniel Lowe had been traded to the Washington Nationals for left handed reliever Robert Garcia. This was more of a financial transaction than a move to get another pitcher, but Texas needed to shed some payroll in order to stay below the mlb excess payroll tax level. This flexibility allowed the next free agent signing - DH and outfielder Joc Peterson. He has been productive wherever he played, with World Series rings from Los Angeles and Atlanta. Pederson had an OPS of .908 last year. He wears out right handed pitching and loves fastballs. Both of these traits were missing from the Ranger lineup last year.

Joc has already demonstrated his confidence by brashly calling out the Astros. He said their little reign was over and he wanted to be on the best team in the West for the next few years. Let’s hope that he walks the walk as well as he talks the talk.

Chris Young has also added pitchers Patrick Murphy and Shawn Armstrong for possible bullpen depth, but the glaring weakness right now is lack of a closer or set up man for the 8th inning, as Kirby Yates and David Robertson are free agents, and one or both could sign with another team. It’s not my money, but Texas needs to re-sign Yates. My preference for the set up man would be Arlington native Chris Martin. As long as we’re signing Texans, I wouldn’t mind picking up Tylerite A.J. Minter and Colin Poche from Flower Mound. And Brooks Riley was born in San Antonio. Might as well get him too!

There is more to accomplish between now and that wonderful day when pitchers and catchers report - February 12! I feel like CY still has something else up his very long sleeve.

That’s one man’s opinion - what’s yours?