Well said, T.O.! Yes, I believe that the Rangers need to give guys from their farm system, including Mitch Moreland, a full season to show what they can do, and try to avoid breaking the bank. In response to eric - yes, Mitch Moreland is barely above replacement level, but that's only as a platoon player. I believe he'll become more valuable to the team if he's given the chance to be an everyday player. If he sees pitching on a consistent basis it'll be easier for him to get into a groove. Like I said earlier, he's made improvements both offensively and defensively. So, we can make a better evaluation of Mitch Moreland's potential if we wait a full season.

Let's see what kind of numbers he can put up.

OIMG--Someone just said Coolbaughs job is safe?? I'll give odds on him NOT being here come spring. Good Lord

So... how many 1B do we have to let go before we realize we aren't capable (with the current management) of properly developing one while other teams take our cast-offs and succeed with them?

Again, I say, "If Wash were running the Oakland A's, he wouldn't have a Starting Pitcher." He has absolutely no idea how to bring along a younger player... he just brown-noses the veterans and gives the ones he loves whatever they want.

I don't know but it seems like we were saying the same thing last off season about Moreland although he did have the wrist injury. Lets give him a full season we said. He can't hit lefties on a consistent basis.

But his numbers against lefties have improved, and because of this Wash gave him a few chances to face lefties instead of giving the start to someone else or replacing him with a pinch-hitter later in the game. He had fewer ABs due to injury but still matched his production from last year and had a higher batting average. I believe that now is the the time to give him the opportunity to be an everyday player.

Mitch Moreland is a career .232 hitter against lefties. Not saying batting average is a good barometer, but mixed in that average are only 4 homers and 5 doubles, and that's a career sample to this point. He strikes out too much and doesn't walk enough to justify starting him against lefties every day.

You're ignoring the fact that he's making improvements - why don't you think he can continue to do so? He's still pretty young at 27 years of age. Oh, and his K rate is 21%, just slightly above major league average. Definitely better than that of Chris Davis, by the way. His walk rate is lower than average but it definitely wasn't the worst on the team. Talk about nitpicking.