We are all dreaming about Stantons and Uptons, but what about something that may actually be attainable without giving up massive young talent, which is the lifeblood of longevity as a competitive power house in this game. And I do not mean competitive power house in the sense of making the playoffs every year. Any big ass payroll can get you there with over payed FA's. I am talking about making a serious chemistry oriented run at the Series every year or every other year.

Platoonarama Guiding Principles:

Maximization of offensive and defensive output through widespread use of platoons

Maximization of an environment of accountability, 5-6 spots are up for grabs every day

Maximization of rest for everyone except Andrus, Kinsler, and Beltre, and the flexibility to rest those three at DH or outright to keep them fresh

Maximization of young talent without overloading them, start Profar, Olt, & Martin slow

Maximization of speed in the outfield and on the base paths, aggressiveness is key

No need for a true utility player with Olt backing up third and Profar backing up short, and every single one of your thirteen position players are fully engaged, not sitting, Think of what that will do for chemistry in an accountability driven and youthful club house.

You have the ability to build chemistry and team work while keeping your midseason trade options wide open, you may just find that in this environment your team thrives

RHP/LHP

CR AJP/Napoli
1B Moreland/Kinsler
2B Kinsler/Profar
3B Beltre full time
SS Andrus full time
RF Martin/Murphy or other
LF Murphy/Olt
CF Bourn/Gentry
DH Napoli, Cruz/ Cruz

Catcher:

Napoli plays catcher against LHP and AJ plays catcher against RHP

First:

Start off playing Moreland at first against RHP and Kinsler at first against LHP while playing Profar at second against LHP. You give whoever does better, Moreland or Profar, more at bats against RHP but you give Profar all of the at bats against LHP. Meanwhile, Kinsler plays almost all of his games at first or second.

Second:

See first base.

Short Stop:

Andrus plays here full time

Third:

Beltre plays here full time

Left Field:

Murphy plays left against RHP and Olt plays left against LHP. If Olt proves himself give him more time against RHP in left by moving Murphy to right and sitting Martin.

Right Field:

Martin plays right against RHP and Murphy plays right against LHP, and if Olt proves himself give him more time against RHP by reducing Martin’s time in right, putting Murphy in right, and Olt in left. Or, if Martin proves he can hit LHP better than Murphy put him in right against LHP and sit Murphy (this scenario may be unlikely considering how well Murphy hit against LHP last year).

Center Field:

Bourn plays center against RHP and Gentry plays center against LHP

Designated Hitter:

Cruz plays DH against RHP half the time (while Napoli sits) and Napoli plays DH against RHP half the time (while Cruz sits), and Cruz plays DH against LHP all the time.

Lineup against LHP

Gentry CF
Andrus SS
Kinsler 1B
Beltre 3B
Napoli CR
Cruz DH
Murphy or other lefty hitter RF
Olt LF
Profar 2B

Lineup against RHP Number One

Bourn CF
Andrus SS
Kinsler 2B
Beltre 3B
Napoli DH
AJP CR
Murphy LF
Martin RF
Moreland 1B

Lineup against RHP Number Two

Bourn CF
Andrus SS
Kinsler 2B
Betlre 3B
Cruz DH
AJP CR
Murphy LF
Martin RF
Moreland 1B

Platoon Notes:

Moreland: Obviously better against RHP

Profar: Start him against LHP and give him more time against RHP if he proves himself a better option than Moreland. Let’s remember this kid has not played above AA and his age. I know he’s a switch hitter and probably better from the left but there are other considerations at play such as getting Moreland in there against RHP.

Olt: The minors stats I could find are limited but the hope is he would fair better against LHP to ease him in and then play him more if he proves himself.

Martin: Again, the minors stats don’t have good splits but most lefties fair better against RHP.

Murphy: If Martin can hit lefties better let him have at it but for now Murphy is coming off his best year against LHP yet. Furthermore, he is great against RHP.

Bourn: He has typically been better against RHP being a lefty.

Gentry: We saw how good Gentry was last year against LHP.

Cruz: He is great against LHP and has tremendous potential against RHP. That is why my plan has him and Napoli splitting DH time against RHP.

Napoli: He is great against LHP and has tremendous potential against RHP. That is why my plan has him and Cruz splitting DH time against RHP.

AJP: He has been typically better against RHP especially last year.

Defensive Notes: My plan has Cruz playing exclusively at DH and getting a lot of at bats with a chance to earn more. Getting him out of right adds value with Martin and Murphy playing there. With Bourn and Gentry in center the defense would be awesome, and the only potential defensive liability I introduce is Olt in left field against LHP and increasing playing time there if he proves himself offensively and pushes Murphy to right and Martin to the bench. I think he can do it defensively with a lot of practice during Spring Training. If we don’t get Bourn or decide he is not worth it a very similar scenario could obviously play out with Gentry and Martin in center. But if Bourn is cheap I think we should sign him for his base stealing and defensive prowess. He is also somewhat better career wise against RHP than against LHP, and he is insurance if Martin and Gentry don’t continue to develop offensively. The only other potential defensive liability I introduce is Kinsler at first, but I think he will do fine there.

Another possibility to get certain guys more time (Profar, Olt, Martin, Moreland) is to cycle them through DH against RHP if Napoli and Cruz are not performing against RHP.

In this scenario its all about the hot hand. But even if everyone was achieving no one would be playing less than half the time.

There is another benefit to all of this. You give Perez, Olt, Profar, and Martin exposure at the big show to develop themselves as potential trade targets come July. It seems to me part of the reason why we haven't been able to land a big trade is because we value our prospects highly, not too highly, while other teams want to see how they develop before they make a big commitment.

You know Napoli is not on the Rangers' roster, right? Red Sox still hope to get the contract worked out. I'd love to have him back but I'm not sure they're going to pay him the money he wants, especially after paying A.J. I don't see Bourn being signed. Cost is too high for too little benefit. Other than that, defensively I'd rather have Olt in right and Murphy in left, and offensively I'd put Martin in the nine spot to get his speed on the bases for Kinsler and Beltre.

gbkeith is right. Besides if Napoli is injured the Soto might be as good offensively

The A's proved that a team of platoons can get it done, but Bourn and Napoli aren't on the Rangers, and aren't going to be, and why would they sign Bourn to what would probably be 14 mil/yr, and lose a draft pick just to platoon him? Clearly the Rangers are going to roll out some platoons this year, but your personnel is a little off.

Keith is right on. Napoli and Bourn, for different reasons will not be on the Rangers 2013 team, Besides, Bourn goes counter to your Primary Premise. To be successful, Bourn needs to play everyday. Platoons in the majority of situations also does not work, except at selective and limited levels, ie Catcher and with known MLB quality hitters that are limited, ie a Carlos Lee/ Craig Gentry types. Young players especially need to play on a regular basis, sometimes to even become MLB useful. I do agree with player development through the minor league system. This is precisely what the Ranger long term plan is now, and hopefullu in the future. The Rangers are loaded with high upside and extremely youthful talent, which has been repeatedly discussed by Andy, Eric and others as well as myself.

gbkeith,

http://www.bbtia.com/forum/post/2034549

Actually Napoli nor Bourn is on the Ranger roster right?

TDRanger,

Da, they are obviously both ON the Ranger Roster. Do you live in a cave?