Here is how I see his situation playing out based on the following:
1. This is Beltre's last option-able year.
2. Texas will likely let Cruz walk
3. There is a very good chance Murphy gets money whipped next year by another team who will pay him like a starting outfielder. I am questioning if Texas is confident enough in that to pay him.
4. Gentry, Martin and Borbon are on the 40 man roster with Beltre.
5. I don't think crop of 2014 FA outfielders will impress anyone.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/02/2014-mlb-free-agents.html
6. This one I am fuzzy on but I think Borbon might be approaching his minor league FA since I think this is year 6 in the minors. Please correct me if you know better.
7. Recent comments from JD on Olt, Profar and Garcia should practice for the outfield.
http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/02/chances-of-olt-profar-making-texas-rangers-roster-increase.html/
8. He is 23 so still pretty young and has some upside.

I suspect Beltre sits in the minors this year unless he tears it up forcing him onto the roster.

Borbon gets a shot to be the 4th outfielder(assuming suspended Cruz) and Olt, Profar and Garcia are there to provide him competition to see if they can get him to take the role and live up to his potential.

Borbon get cut/traded/dfa in 2013 if he fails at latest Rule 5 time. Beltre gets his shot next year as at minimum, the 4th outfielder, with a chance of being permenant.

I suspect Borbon gets this opportunity and Beltre can steal it but he will have to put his game together to do it.

UTB, Beltre and Leonys are almost at the same level in one way, but polar opposites in another.

Each is 50% of a star centerfielder. Both hit LH, which is a big plus, especially for a guy with such speed.

Leonys has the glittering AAA hitting stats, but despite his blazing speed, he has lots to learn to play CF well. We want to think he's ready because we can see the AAA numbers, but those hitting numbers don't tell the whole story. He's making progress on his defense, but it's still a ways away from being usable in the majors on a regular basis.

Beltre is the amazing AA defensive wizard in CF - he's the guy you want roaming the pasture at RBiA - but his hitting isn't as developed as his fielding. He does show an aptitude for learning to hit at the next level, each time he's promoted, but it takes him some time before his bat catches up.

Put their strengths together and you'd have a great young player in CF in 2013, ready to wow at the ML level.

Neither is a sure thing, because we are talking about them improving, but each has shown the ability to grow as a player in the past. But at this point they aren't yet a player to depend on because they need more development. That doesn't mean they are going to be a bust, it just means they aren't ready yet. Martin may arrive in 2014, and Beltre in 2015.

@ Ryan- Borbon is out of options, so yeah, this is it for him. He will either make the team out of camp or get picked up by someone else. I'm pretty sure the Rangers have been trying to unload him for a while, but it's hard to get any value back when the other teams know you're not dealing from a position of strength.

@bb- depending on Cruz, my guess would be Martin in 2013, and Beltre in 2014. A lot depends on Borbon I guess.

@ Ktown

I agree with everything you have said. It's just hard for me to get excited about a COFer with a career MiL OBP of .290 (and no real improvement in that area since he joined the Texas organization).

If he had cut down on his K's or improved his BB-rate, I would feel differently. But as it is, he's in the same boat as a ton of MiL players: he is ready defensively but still lacks the approach needed to be considered a legitimate full-time option.

For the Rangers sake, I hope he turns the corner.

@bb

I just don't buy that Leonys isn't "ready" to play CF in the MLs. Obviously, Beltre is a superior defender at this point, but IMO, it's not that hard to find OFers who can play good D but can't hit. There are a million Craig Gentrys out there (no offense to Kitten Face).

In other words, I find it much more likely that Leonys can play CF well enough to stick on a non-RW-managed club than it is for Beltre to suddenly learn how to get on base consistently enough to make him a legit starting option.

Come on, Craig Gentry was a 3 WAR player last year in 120 games. Those guys aren't a dime a dozen. Look no one is saying that Beltre is the next Willie Mayes or even the next Peter Borjous for that matter. All we are saying, or at least all Im saying is that someone who can play elite level defense and steal a base when everyone knows he is going can play a big role on a championship baseball team. Even if he can't hit very well.

As for Leyonis, he will be a stud. No stats to back that up. Just a gut feeling.

Sorry guys, but utb is right: there are a million Craig Gentry's out there. If a player can hone two tools well, for Gentry it's his speed and defense, then it's very likely they will eventually get a crack in the Major Leagues. Engel Beltre is no Gentry. While Gentry obviously doesn't possess the same skill set as Beltre, he maximizes his tools. Beltre has been exceptionally underachieving in his time with the Rangers organization.

I can live with a guy who can't take walks, but c'mon, if you can't get on base to utilize your speed, then you better be hitting north of .300. Yes, we are Rangers fans, so we understand Michael Young was that guy for a decade. A sub-.300 OBP is unacceptable. Period.

There ya go again eric, judging a human being & player only by his baseball card.
Do any of your likeable/non-likeable players have a face?

YAWWWWNNNN

Why can't a pinch runner/stud defender be valuable as the last bench spot. Look there is a chance that Engel will hit but even if he doesn't he has value. He is the guy who can come in and make that big catch or the guy who can steal 3rd when there is a man on 2nd with 1 out late in a tie game. All of a sudden, one sac fly later you are winning. These type of players can win 5+ games for you over the course of a season.

If you want to see a Triple AAA player then drive to Round Rock. The Rangers are Major League.

There ya go again eric, judging a human being & player only by his baseball card. Do any of your likeable/non-likeable players have a face?

I'm not judging him as a human being. I'm judging him as a baseball player.

And I haven't the slightest clue what your second question means.

Why can't a pinch runner/stud defender be valuable as the last bench spot. Look there is a chance that Engel will hit but even if he doesn't he has value. He is the guy who can come in and make that big catch or the guy who can steal 3rd when there is a man on 2nd with 1 out late in a tie game. All of a sudden, one sac fly later you are winning. These type of players can win 5+ games for you over the course of a season.

A late-game defensive replacement who also holds utility as a pinch-runner isn't worth 5 wins; maybe closer to 1.0. Craig Gentry accumulated a ton of value in only about 150 PA's in 2011, because he also saved several runs defensively and was a perfect 18 for 18 stealing bases. I think he was worth 1.7 or 1.9 fWAR just like that.

But Beltre isn't as good a defender or base runner as Gentry is, and you make it sound like using Engel sparsely is worth a lot. It isn't. Having a good bench during the regular season is overrated.

The difference between Beltre & Gentry are very minimal. Beltre/LH has a better upside & is capable of
surpassing Gentry/RH. There's room for both, though Beltre will be at AAA without a superior ST.
Beltre will end up as a corner, if his bat comes around. Iagree, an(AL) bench is over-rated(In Wash's World).

AAA-Round Rock. Now quit wasting our time.

The difference between Beltre & Gentry are very minimal. Beltre/LH has a better upside & is capable of surpassing Gentry/RH. There's room for both, though Beltre will be at AAA without a superior ST. Beltre will end up as a corner, if his bat comes around. I agree, an (AL) bench is over-rated(In Wash's World).

Hogwash.

Beltre can't even prove getting on base in AA. How do you figure he's basically on the same level as Craig Gentry?

And yes, benches are overrated. Have a strong 1-9, maybe a strong 4th outfielder, and you are good to go. When the postseason rolls around, make sure to have a good set of wheels to bring off the bench.

@lil' eric,

You've watched Moneyball waaaaay too many times. You're actually starting to believe the quotion.
It may win a lonnnng run diivision occaisionally, but never a AL/NL/WS Championship. It works for
keeping a team like Oakland's nose above the monetary water level. You need all around players with
pop & play. I liked the movie. The concept has changed baseball, but star caliber teams become champs.

Beltre is quick on the heels of Gentry. His talent will soon override Gentry. His upside is much much higher.

PT:
Engel Beltre-AAA-.272

^^^
You're right. Is that what you're wanting to be said Eric? Yes, he's AAA. but if the RANGERS
become sellers at All Star break, he won't be AAA for long. This team is morphing really fast.
It could change very quickly, left or right. YOU ARE RIGHT, Eric. Hey, Gold Star next to name!