We fans have spent a lot of time predicting the opening day roster for the Rangers. Now it’s time for the experts.
T.R. Sullivan of mlb.com did just that.
Here is his prediction:
Catcher: Jeff Mathis, Isiah Kiner-Falefa. No surprises here.
1B: Ronald Guzman. Who else would it be?
2B: Rougned Odor. There is no way he wouldn’t be.
3B: Asdrubal Cabrera. Sullivan doesn’t think either Davidson or Wisdom will supplant Cabrera. That may be the case at first because Cabrera was signed to be the starting third baseman and no matter how good anyone else does or how poorly he would do, spring stats won’t change that.
SS: Elvis Andrus. Of course.
OF: Joey Gallo, Delino DeShields, Nomar Mazara, Shin-Soo Choo, Willie Calhoun, Hunter Pence.
Utility: Logan Forsythe.
SP: Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly, Edinson Volquez, Shelby Miller.
RP: Jose Leclerc, Chris Martin, Shawn Kelley, Zach McAllister, Jesse Chavez, Jeffrey Springs, Connor Sadzeck.
Forsythe will make it over Davidson not because of spring stats but because one, Forsythe is a former Dodger and Chris Woodward knows him and, two, Forsythe can play middle infield and the Rangers don’t have anyone who can.
Where I don’t agree is having six outfielders. Teams are all about roster flexibility and that pins them down rather than gives them options.
We shall see.