Fansided

One offseason move each MLB team needs to make

By Joshua Sadlock

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Giancarlo Stanton #27 of the Miami Marlins during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Miami Marlins via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Mark Reynolds #12 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with third base coach Stu Cole #39 after hitting a first inning homerun against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 29: Mark Reynolds #12 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates with third base coach Stu Cole #39 after hitting a first inning homerun against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Texas Rangers: Find more consistent power

Sure, Joey Gallo, Rougned Odor and Mike Napoli combined to hit 100 home runs for the Rangers last year, but they also struck out 521 times and hit close to .200 for the entire year. Odor should bounce back next year after hitting .204 in 2017, but Napoli’s decline the past two years has been steep and Gallo might never hit much higher than .220.

Teams don’t have to hit .275 collectively anymore to win, and it can be done with low-average, high-power bats. Just not three of them. The Rangers have a very dangerous lineup — when it’s going right. When it’s wrong, they are a stagnant team that strikes out too often. All of the playoff teams this season feature long lineups that keep the ball rolling.

Based on the nature of their launching-pad home ballpark, the Rangers offense will always be based on hitting home runs. There is still a place for an aging Napoli in that attack, but he should be shifted to a bench role next season, with some platoon at-bats mixed in. His raw power and leadership in the clubhouse still have value.

The Rangers should be looking for a power hitter who makes more consistent contact this offseason. J.D.. Martinez would look great in the middle of this lineup. He is one of the rare sluggers who can hit .300 with a good on-base percentage. Martinez might be out of reach for the Rangers financially. A cheaper option with just as much pop is Mark Reynolds. He has fit well in Colorado but should be looking for the most playing time and guaranteed at-bats next season.

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