The Texas Rangers finished 2022 with 68 wins, eight games better than 2021. That didn’t sit well with a lot of fans since they sent a half a billion dollars last winter.
So like we always do here, we want to start projecting the 2023 roster, and where better to start than the starting rotation.
Internal Candidates
The first internal candidate that comes to mind is Cole Ragans. A guest on the Ranger Report Podcast while in Round Rock, Ragans got the call near the end of 2022 and did not fare terribly (you know, like Dallas Kuechel).
Ragans got 9 starts for the Rangers and went 0-3 with a 4.95 ERA. He was not the Cole that everyone was expecting to make his MLB debut in 2022, that would be one Cole Winn.
Winn did not have a stellar season in Round Rock. He was 9-5 with a 6.95 ERA in his first full AAA season. He walked close to 90 batters and struck out 123. There were times during the season where he looked lost.
Jack Leiter is another name that had a decent season, but not a great one. He was never really a candidate to start in the rotation in 2023. He will most likely start in Frisco again if I had to guess. Leiter was 3-10 with a 5.54 ERA in his 22 starts.
From who is already on the roster, Jon Gray is the only starting pitcher I feel sure will be on the opening day roster as a starter. Maybe Glenn Otto, but I’m not as sure on that one.
The big question is will they re-sign Martin Perez? I have my doubts, otherwise I think they would have already, but I hope they do.
External Candidates
I don’t see the Rangers being big players on the free agent market, with pitchers like Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Clayton Kershaw and Sonny Gray among others available. I think the Rangers will add via the trade, since they have so many prospects and need to part with some of them.
So the big questions is who will be available via trade this winter? Rumors say that Shane Bieber could be available, but the cost would be very high. Also, the Marlins may be looking to move Pablo Lopez.
So Here is my Roster
Okay, enough fluff, as they say. It’s too early for me to be anywhere near right, but here you go.
Jon Gray
Noah Syndergaard
Martin Perez
Clayton Kershaw
There you have it. My first of many roster projections for the upcoming 2023 season! Enjoy, debate and argue. Lets talk 2023!
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