With all the stuff up in the air, especially the ideas of possible position changes, I'm going to take a look at what, as of now, seems to be the likely depth chart on opening day.

Unless they should be traded, we know the following guys will be on the active roster:
1. Moreland
2. Kinsler
3. Elvis
4. Adrian
5. Murphy
6. Cruz
7. Gentry
8. Soto

It also seems like a foregone conclusion that we'll also see on there:
9. Leonys

Also, we'll need another catcher, and right now it looks like it will be whoever wins the Royal Rumble between Martinez, Schmidt, and Whiteside, who collectively have the offensive output of Bill Bergen.

Assuming we have 12 pitchers, which is pretty normal, that leaves 3 spots for position players. Following are the other position players on our 40-man roster:

Leury
Olt
Profar
Engel
Borbon

Of those, it seems most likely that Profar and Olt would make the team, unless traded. If you assume we need a 5th outfielder, I'm not sure whether to go with the experience (Borbon) or the one who hasn't had a chance yet (Engel) but Borbon seems more likely. Otherwise maybe Leury gets a shot. For the moment, I will assume that these 3 spots are taken by Profar, Olt, and Borbon.

And from this I construct the following hypothetical depth chart, based on what we've heard so far, plus my own conjecture:
C: Soto, least underwhelming of Martinez, Schmidt, and Whiteside
1B: Moreland, Kinsler, Olt
2B: Kinsler, Profar
SS: Elvis, Profar
3B: Adrian, Olt
LF: Murphy, Leonys, Borbon, Olt
CF: Gentry, Leonys, Borbon
RF: Cruz, Leonys, Borbon, Olt
DH: rotating cast

Obviously it's not perfect, and some of the orders may be wrong (maybe Leonys is the starter in CF, maybe Kinsler at 1B and Profar at 2B, dunno).

It's probably just the all-star offense of the last few years I'm used to, but it feels a bit empty. Some of you might not feel this way, but I'd feel a whole lot better if Josh were in there somewhere (anywhere but CF, please) or maybe Upton or someone like him, but we now know that Upton is likely not happening. Maybe Swisher. He can hit and play OF and 1B. If we miss out on Josh and Swisher hasn't signed yet, I'd like to see us take a run at him. Unlike what a few guys out there are suggesting, I want no part of Bourn. We have plenty of OFers that are fast, don't project to hit for as much power as Josh, and aren't as expensive as Bourn will be. Moving on...

The rotation seems obvious at this point:
1. Darvish
2. Harrison
3. Holland
4. Ogando
5. Perez

And a 7-man bullpen seems hard to pin down at this point, so I'm not even going to try.

Right now, this doesn't quite look like a playoff team. Here's hoping we see at least a couple more impact moves.

Thoughts?

I think you're close at the very least. I'd probably start Martin in RF and Cruz at DH. Garcia or Borbon? Tough choice. You already have a replacement if any OF or IF get hurt, so neither is all that necessary (barring injury).

That group is definitely light-hitting, but they've also got more speed throughout the lineup and far better defense (versus Hamilton in CF, Cruz in RF, and Young anywhere on the field). It's a completely different type of offense, but I'm not convinced it wouldn't work.

Here's the lineup I'd trot out there...

(1) Andrus
(2) Profar
(3) Murphy
(4) Beltre
(5) Cruz
(6) Kinsler
(7) Martin
(8) Soto
(9) Gentry

To me, there's a lot of speed and "doubles power" in that lineup. It's not sexy, and it's definitely not certain, but we'd find out pretty quickly what kind of youngsters we have.

Not bad, but based on last year I'd rather see Murphy leading off. He led in OBP last year, so I think leadoff is his to lose. Also, I doubt Profar gets the nod right out of ST, no matter how good he looks.

Assuming Profar doesn't start opening day (for the moment I will assume the Astros use a RHP and therefore Mitch at 1B, Ian at 2B, and like you said, Cruz at DH and Martin in RF)

1) Murphy LF
2) Andrus SS
3) Beltre 3B
4) Cruz DH
5) Kinsler 2B
6) Moreland 1B
7) Gentry CF
8) Martin RF
9) Soto C

I keep telling myself that if Gentry keeps getting on base Wash will have to bat him higher. If Murphy doesn't get on base as much and Gentry does, I'd like to see Gentry lead off, but that's probably not going to happen. Shame, too. He could steal 40 bases in a full season, maybe.

Hmm, a depth chart & starting lineup in December? meh Zzzzz

Well, we don't have anything else to do as fans, and there are no current rumors involving the Rangers except Hamilton, and now that the Angels are in on him, well...

You have a better conversation piece?

Andy, he's so bored by our conversation that he felt the need to join in. Welcome!

Washington is a great manager for a veteran team, but I'm not sure he's ideal for a youth movement.

He's going to have to. The highest-profile FA we could sign now is Sanchez or Swisher, and tradewise I think Dickey is the highest-profile. And word is, the Angels are in on him too.

I'm lukewarm on Swisher and cold on Dickey. I'm not sure why so many fans are anti-Bourn..

Yes i agree that it feels and looks empty. My problem is a lot of what if and uknowns. Gentry had a good season last year but is he who you really want as an everyday player? Obviously give him the chance to lose that spot, but he just doesn't scream consistent. Martin is unproven and struggled when he did play last year, he's a great prospect but very unproven and no power whatsoever. Soto....well ya we all know about him he shouldn't be starting. Cruz is declining in every category and he was just as injury prone as Josh so who do we run out there when he's injured. Moreland well hell you never know what you're getting from him, he slumps way to much and he's injury prone, not a very viable 1st baseman! I would rather see Kinsler or Olt at 1st honestly and give Profar the nod at 2nd. So honestly the only consistent batting threats are Andrus, Beltre and I'll throw murph in there, We have no protection in the lineup for Beltre his numbers are going to decline. I am not stupid i know you can't develop prospects without letting them play and grow but I just don't want the entire lineup to rely on them right now. Just my opnion and take on it keep in mind I am stationed in Florida and didn't get to see every game these guys played, I am just going off of their stats and the few games i saw

If Gentry at least had doubles power, I could see him having a chance to start against righties... he doesn't. His Slug is so poor, he's actually a hindrance on offense. But, against lefties? Yeah... I can see him in there.

And, Profar will be thrown in the fire... we'll either come out with a diamond, or we'll come out with some other type of jewel... but, he will succeed.

Vs. RHP
----------
(1) SS: Andrus
(2) 2B: Profar (S)
(3) 3B: Beltre
(4) RF: Cruz
(5) LF: Murphy (L)
(6) 1B: Kinsler
(7) CF: Martin (L)
(8) ..C: Soto
(9) DH: Moreland (L)

Vs. LHP
----------
(1) SS: Andrus
(2) 2B: Profar (S)
(3) 3B: Beltre
(4) RF: Cruz
(5) LF: Murphy (L)
(6) 1B: Kinsler
(7) DH: Olt
(8) ..C: Soto
(9) CF: Gentry

Not sure if Profar would be put up at #2, but I don't think Murphy would be the leadoff, so Elvis is the best natural fit there. If profar doesn't hit #2, I could see Murphy there, but his ability to bunt has never been, to my knowledge, explored.

Sans Josh, I like out best overall hitter at #3. Beltre clearly is that and I'd put him there without reservation. Our next most dangerous power bat (Cruz) would hit in the cleanup spot.

It seems like we were more successful as the "Runnin' Rangers" but got away from it because of the lumbering/injury-prone nature of our lineup. Speed puts pressure on the defense (and the pitcher), and I think we undervalue it. For my leadoff and bottom of the order guys (Andrus, Profar, Gentry, Martin, et al), I don't particularly care about SLG%. I don't really care too much about it anyway, but that's just me. Guys with the ability to get on base and speed can win you a lot of ballgames.

You're right DDan maybe I am undervaluing speed it is a huge threat and can win ball games. But these guys have to hit and get on base to make it dangerous! Other than Elvis are we sure they can do it consistently enough to be a danger?

@DDan: how much of an upgrade over Gentry is Bourn? That's why.

I don't think Bourn is an upgrade over Gentry. But someone said that we are now the Runnin Rangers, don't we have to get on base to do that? Who is going to get on base consistently in that lineup?

Didn't mean to DIS, but our order can change over night, if some trade goes down.
FO has to be scrambling now after Josh-gate. It is Dec, but we've been hit hard and
I suspect Daniels is going to have to Hit, rather than shooting over the bow. Deal Time!

I think the lineups submitted keep us in contention up to the trade deadline, and then JD will grab a player or two to put the team over the hump to win the division. Defensively the team will improve, speed will make opposing pitchers nervous, and with out Young, Napoli, and Hamilton in the clubhouse I think the "TEAM" concept will return to Arlington. The Rangers got to the World Series two seasons paying strong defense, timely hitting, and aggressive base running, and didn't this past season due to poor execution, and too much time consumed with Hamilton's issues, Napoli's slump/injuries, and Young putting up some of the worst stats of a full-time player in recent seasons. Let's go RANGERS!

My observation was more general in terms of speed and slugging percentage. Obviously, the young guys don't have enough track record to be confident of their OBPs year in and year out. But everyone seems to be focusing on replacing the HRs (and probably OPS) we lost when Napoli and Hamilton left. My point is that you have to look beyond HRs and OPS to see the value of speed and defense guys. And every position player we've lost was a negative defensively and a negative on the basepaths (except maybe Josh in the latter category). If you can't replace HRs with HRs, try a different route. That's all I'm saying.

As for Michael Bourn, his advantage over Gentry is track record. And, yes, I value him for that certainty. But he's the case in point to my paragraph above: too many people look at his OPS and dismiss him because he doesn't hit the ball out of the ballpark.

I understand what you are sayign Dan and with a team with a high OBP and maybe some thump I would agree. But look at the Braves of 2010 when they had a power outage and speed and defense and better pitching than we have, where did they go? Our team has little track record for OBP, I see two hitters that have the potential to put up a 340 OBP, Kins and Andrus. Of course everyone wants to trade Andrus now. But still add Bourn and you are adding over 100 K's to Kins' uppercut swing and miss and Cruz inconsistent bat and a bunch of unproven kids. Never mind that the Giants and Cards the last 3 WS champs had much better starting pitching and bullpens than we have right now. I mean relaly compare our 5 man rotation agaisnt that of the Cards or the Giants. Darvish or Bumgarner/Lincecum/Vogelsong or Darvish or Carpenter/Wainright/Lohse? Then go down the list.

I am not arguning against the playing the kids nor spending cash on FA. I am just pointing out something I said last week, this is a rebuild year. They dumped the big salaries and lettign the kids play. Putting a lot fo faith in our scouts. Is Martin as good as Cespedes? We will see. Is Profar the second coming of Jeter or ARod? We will see. How about Olt is he the next LaRoche or the next Moreland? We will see.

There are a lot of holes on this team. My concern is where do we fill the holes and with whom? I don't see any real trade opportunities and Bourn to me is not an upgrade over what we already have. Besides the logic of speed and defense doesn't work with Cruz out in the field with a glove on his hand!

While I'm not conveying we should do this, I wouldn't mind trading Gentry and some lower prospects for Dickey, then sign Bourn and Swisher. Surely Gentry is at least the equal of Bourjos, if not more. Hank Conger sucks. We should be able to offer up something of better value. But I keep Olt now. No need to trade away our premier power hitting prospect.

Sign Priezynski/C, to cover Cruz or Beltre in the middle.
Murphy actually had the same OPS as Pujols in 2012!
Small start- Daniels needs to quell the crowd w/Bat & C.

(1) Andrus
(2) Profar
(3) Murphy
(4) Beltre
(5) Cruz
(6) Kinsler
(7) Martin
(8) Soto
(9) Gentry

SO much sac bunt potential....

That is absolutely true min. It is an interesting lineup. Wash will definitely earn his money this year. Of course this could be Wash's last year in the Rangers dugout. I mean relaly JD is not goign to blame himself if we are out of the playoff race by June.

I don't think there is any way we will see both Gentry and Martin in the lineup at the same time. That will be a platoon at best. Now that Hamilton is no longer in the picture I think they may move Kinsler to the outfield instead of 1st base and platoon Moreland and Olt at 1st base. Profar will start at 2nd base for now and Cruz will be the everyday DH. They are weakest behind the plate with Soto as the everyday catcher. I would expect an upgrade there if anywhere.

Now that HAMILTON is gone, here is hoping Josh made the right decision by choosing LA, may be one of the worse locations for an addict, expect a greater frequency of setbacks, here is hoping he has five solid healthy seasons in LA. Does leave a huge hole in the Rangers lineup,especially when Napoli and Young are included. In baseball, a team must always move on. To that end, MARTIN, PROFAR, and OLT must now be in the starting lineup.Trade CRUZ for DICKEY if possible, Dickey if obtained may be still pitching for the Rangers when Hamilton,Young and Napoli are out of the game,and Gallo, Brinson, Akins, Guzman and Mazara are the YOUNG GUNS. Getting the team salary under $100 m may have been PLAN A all along, if it was not it is now. So for 2013, Martin must play CF full time, Profar must play full time as well, if not at second than preferably play RF, OLT becomes the full time DH, with as much play time at third and first as possible, for this new lineup could tax Belte even harder. Leave Kinsler at second. Sign Pierzynski to catch, but help Beltre with experienced credibility. This produces a lineup of: Martin/Anrdus/Kinsler+Beltre/Pierzynski/Murphy+Olt/Moreland/Profar with a bench of: Soto, Garcia, Gentry and Beltre/Borbon or Solarte. AT leastin that lineup,except for Olt, will see a huge drop off in TEAM Ks- which on hindsight, Hamilton's 2013 K RATE blew up,as if he knew this was his last year in Texas, and only HRs AND RBIs counted to a bigger pay day.
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