Texas Rangers’ miss on Plan A at third base softened by trade for Corey Kluber
The time limit has passed for Rangers Reaction to wish everyone a Happy New Year, but it’s the thought that counts.
The holidays were good to the Wilsons, aside from a strained SI joint and the prescribed rest from workouts.
Know what that means? Diet.
While the holidays were good, some Texas Rangers-related things fell through the cracks.
As such, the first Rangers Reaction of the new year is a mixture of reaction to current doings with the Rangers and a game of catch-up.
Without further ado, here is some Rangers Reaction from the past, let’s say, four to six weeks.
Plan at third
Plan A, which in hindsight looks like the only plan, was for Anthony Rendon to be the Rangers’ third baseman for 2020 and following five seasons.
Then, the Los Angeles Angels, chapped after missing out on Gerrit Cole, swooped in and made Rendon the winning offer to be there for 2020 and the following six seasons.
The price tag soared on the next-best free agent, Josh Donaldson. To acquire Nolan Arenado from the Colorado Rockies would cost nearly as much as the Angels are paying Rendon, if not more when considering the prospects the Rangers would stand to lose.
This isn’t the 2014 Frazier, an All-Star with the Cincinnati Reds. He is an experienced third baseman, which the Rangers did not have before agreeing to a one-year, $5 million contract.
And that’s what manager Chris Woodward wanted. He was willing to take rookie Nick Solak to school in spring training to play third full time, but now Solak might only have to play there occasionally.
Here’s one scenario: Frazier, a right-handed hitter, is the regular third baseman but also plays first base in a platoon with Ronald Guzman, a left-handed hitter. Solak, a righty, slides into third on those occasions.
The Rangers still have interest in free agent Nicholas Castellanos, who would play first base and some right field. Joey Gallo is the right fielder. He will not play first base.
Castellanos wouldn’t play third despite his history at the position. The Rangers aren’t sure he should have ever been a third baseman.
Arenado may or may not be available. The Rockies said Monday that a trade was off the table, which led to Arenado saying he feels disrespected by club management.
The Rangers would be interested if the Rockies came calling.
Donaldson is gone, having signed for $92 million guaranteed over four years.
Frazier is now the leader in the clubhouse to be the third baseman. He holds a big lead.
Corey Kluber!
Fresh off the Rendon loss, the Rangers made their here-to-date splash of the off-season by acquiring two-time American League Cy Young winner Corey Kluber from the Cleveland Indians for the low, low price of a center fielder (Delino DeShields) and a promising young relief arm (Emmanuel Clase).
Even if Kluber isn’t the pitcher he has been in the past, that’s a risk well worth taking.
The Rangers don’t see a ton of risk, though.
Kluber was sidelined last season by a broken left arm, and the right-hander’s comeback was thwarted by a late-season oblique strain. Nothing was structurally wrong with his arm, and he says he’s healthy.
Plus, he has bought into the idea that what essentially was a year off for him is a blessing in disguise. He had logged a bunch of innings from 2016-2018, when the Indians were playoff regulars.
That means he had three shortened off-seasons of recovery, and that takes a toll.
But if he is an ace, the Rangers would have one of the best rotations in the majors.
Yes, the majors.
Kluber, Mike Minor and Lance Lynn make for a strong trio. Kyle Gibson is an upgrade over what was in his place last season. Jordan Lyles should be, also, especially if he pitches anywhere close to what he did to end last season.
But it’s not just the five protected starters, but the improved depth that also puts the Rangers in position to have one of their best pitching teams. Ever.
That would be different. And refreshing. And, if the Rangers figure things out at the plate, it makes them a contender.
Another reunion
Robinson Chirinos is going to be the Rangers’ primary catcher in 2020, a role he should have had in 2019, just has he had in 2018 and much of 2017.
Instead, the Rangers declined the option they held on him and watched him go to the World Series with the Houston Astros. The Rangers’ catchers, meanwhile, were the worst offensively and weren’t all that great defensively either.
The Rangers have atoned for their misjudgment, agreeing to a one-year, $6.75 million contract with Chirinos. He never wanted to leave.
That seems to be a familiar refrain during the Daniels Era. Colby Lewis came back, though his first stint predated Daniels becoming GM. Mike Napoli returned ... twice. Josh Hamilton also came back. Bobby Wilson, Yovani Gallardo and Jesse Chavez, too.
Maybe the Rangers will try to coax Ian Kinsler out of retirement next.
Chirinos adds some power to the lineup, and he also has a knack for reaching base. His defense had to improve after a season catching one of the best pitchers this century (Justin Verlander) and the great Yankees savior (Cole).
He might also be able to impart some wisdom on the Astros’ success, legal and illegal.
Now legal in MLB ...
Marijuana. Well, it’s not legal, as it’s still illegal to possess in some states, but MLB no longer considers it a drug of abuse.
That’s good news for former Rangers player Kyle Blanks.
Blanks is an advocate for the medicinal effects marijuana can provide, so much so that his post-baseball career is owning and operating a hemp farm in New Mexico. He smoked marijuana as a player when on a 40-man roster and was able to manage pain from numerous injuries and from being a big dude.
However, when he wasn’t on a 40-man roster, he couldn’t use his preferred method of treatment. Now, all players, 40-man or in the minors, can use all forms of natural cannabinoids.
Players will still be tested, but will be punished only if marijuana affects a player’s conduct, as is the case with alcohol.
The compromise for backing off marijuana is that opioid testing is now part of the MLB Joint Drug Agreement. That became a front-burner issue following the death of Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who had opioids in his system when he died July 1 in his Southlake hotel room ahead of a series with the Rangers.
Players who test positive for opioids will be not be suspended unless they refuse to go into a treatment plan.
Blanks is thrilled about the decision on marijuana, and continues to believe it can be an alternative to opioids for pain relief. He already has fielded calls of advice from players and club personnel, and has reached out to teams offering to help them educate players on how to best use marijuana and hemp-based CBD like what is grown on his farm.
He is concerned, though, that the opioid policy isn’t strong enough. MLB says that it does not have an opioid problem, based on the results of its testing, but Blanks said that a lack of severe punishment might encourage some players to try their luck with opioids or continue using them.
But it’s progress, for sure.
This story was originally published January 21, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
