Motor City Bengals
FanSided

Detroit Tigers Rank Highly in MCB’s First Power Rankings of 2017

By Ben Rosener

Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones (40) reacts after hitting a home run with starting pitcher Daniel Norris (right) against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Champion Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
20 of 31
Next
Mar 21, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2017; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Chicago White Sox at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

#12 Texas Rangers
2016 Run Differential: +8
Best Offseason Move: Signing Tyson Ross
Worst Offseason Move: Letting Colby Lewis Become a Free Agent

Perhaps the flukiest of last season’s playoff teams based on run differential, the Rangers lost a number of key pieces from 2016.

The team is still a solid unit on paper, with Adrian Beltre, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Lucroy and Rougned Odor leading the way.

However, Ian Desmond, Carlos Beltran, Mitch Moreland, Derek Holland and Colby Lewis all departed.

Former Ranger Mike Napoli will step in for Moreland at first base.

The veteran will certainly help make up for some of the offense lost with Desmond and Beltran. Additionally, a full season of Lucroy behind the dish will bring more offensive production.

Despite full seasons from Napoli and Lucroy, there are still needs elsewhere on Texas’ roster.

Jurickson Profar isn’t a sure thing in left field, while there are serious concerns in the rotation. After Cole Hamels, Yu Darvish and Martin Perez there are serious question marks.

The final two rotation slots will likely be filled by some combination of A.J. Griffin, Mike Hauschild, Chi Chi Gonzalez, Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner.

If Texas can’t slug its way to victory—the Rangers finished seventh in runs scored last season—they could be in trouble if the team can’t find solutions in the rotation.

Home/Detroit Tigers News