(warning: longish rambling post)
Yeah, the starting rotation is fine. Darvish, Holland, Harrison, Perez, Ogando/Colby/Tepesch is pretty strong. Obviously that could be derailed a bit by injuries but you have to feel pretty good about that going into the season. As far as the bullpen goes, I'm fine with letting Nathan walk. Soria, Scheppers, Feliz, Cotts, and Ross (if Wash can avoid pitching his arm off, though he's run him into the ground the past 2 years, resulting in his effectiveness cratering later in the season), and possibly Ogando is a core I still feel really good about.
The offense though. Wow. Really, really need to find some production at 1B/DH/LF. There are a few different ways to go here.
First off, it sounds like the Rangers will make a qualifying offer to Nelson Cruz, which I think is the right move, though probably not enough to keep him (it's really the only chance he's going to have to land a big contract). I'd love to keep him on a 1-2 year deal to be our DH/OF but I'm not sure how likely that is.
As far as the rest of the outfield, we know Leonys and Rios have 2 of the 3 starting spots locked up. You could go roll with Gentry as your 3rd starting OF (and/or platoon him with Engel Beltre, who will either be on the major league roster next year or be traded to another team), and have an OF without much power, but one that plays great defense and can really terrorize opposing teams on the bases. This wouldn't be my top choice, but it's not a bad fallback plan if you can upgrade 1B/DH. I suppose Choo is also an option; he'd be a great leadoff hitter, but he's also going to be expensive, and he doesn't hit LHP.
In the infield, you know Beltre will be at 3B, and you know Elvis will be at SS. If neither are traded, I suspect you'll see Profar at 2B and Kinsler at 1B (Moreland should not be starting next year if it can be avoided). I think there's a pretty good chance Soto is brought back as the backup catcher, but who will he be backing up? Brian McCann could be the Rangers top priority in free agency (please?). AJP could also come back on a 1-year deal, or maybe they turn to a guy like Carlos Ruiz. But, McCann please.
At this point, my "dream" offseason probably looks something like:
- Trade Profar/Perez/prospects for Giancarlo Stanton
- Sign Brian McCann (and Soto)
- Sign Nelson Cruz (I really don't think this is terribly likely because I think he's going to get more years/dollars than the Rangers are willing to get him but I'm listing it anyway)
Now at this point, you can probably only afford 1 more quality bat, and you still have holes at both DH and 1B.
There should be plenty of upgrades to Moreland on the market, but I have no idea how much any of them are going to cost. I would welcome Napoli back with open arms, but he's likely the most expensive option. Then there are guys like Abreu from Cuba, Kendrys Morales, James Loney, Corey Hart, Justin Morneau, etc. However, if you've managed to upgrade your lineup with Stanton, McCann, and also decide to bring Cruz back to DH (or some other quality DH), I think you can get by with Moreland at 1B, especially if you're platooning him with someone like Jeff Baker.
C - McCann/Soto
1B - Moreland/Baker
2B - Kinsler
SS - Elvis
3B - Beltre
LF - Rios
CF - Leonys/Gentry/Engel
RF - Stanton
DH - Cruz
