I'm especially hopeful that Treanor would start the season in the minors and come up with necessary, otherwise Moreland becomes the 5th outfielder. And with the injury risks that Hamilton and Cruz have, I'd like to see a 5th outfielder that doesn't require yo-yo'ing a guy like Moreland.

Moreland had only 20 PA's against lefties, and he wasn't good in them. But if I were the Rangers, I'd probably give Moreland a shot against lefties, having Napoli in there against the tough ones in the beginning. If Moreland can't hit lefties by a month into the season, Napoli gets all of the 1B starts against lefties. If Moreland does well, Napoli DH'es. It's a nice problem to have. Torrealba's not great but not bad either, so Washington can be flexible depending on what is working out and what isn't, and on matchups.

Agreed on Treanor. He's exactly the kind of guy you stash in the minors and not on the 25-man roster.

I'd really like to see Moreland get a shot against lefties, because he was pretty damn good against them in the playoffs. IIRC he had 2 playoff homeruns against lefties, and was generally working long plate appearances against them.

I'd like to see Oakland return to relevance--and I wouldn't mind this coming at the expense of the Angels.

Has it already been stated somewhere that Young will be on the bench? Obviously he's worse than their other options at 2B/3B/SS but I find it hard to believe an "icon" like him will be benched.

Has it already been stated somewhere that Young will be on the bench? Obviously he's worse than their other options at 2B/3B/SS but I find it hard to believe an "icon" like him will be benched.


No, it hasn't been said and I don't think it will be stated. I'm sure the Rangers are considering offers for him, but if he starts the season with the Rangers he is going to be the primary DH. He'll be in a bit of a "roving" role, but I think Napoli is also going to be in this role, and won't be the starting DH over Young unless the play on the field completely forces Washington's hand.

You're wrong about the catcher starts. The Rangers' front office likes Treanor and values catcher defense. Treanor will be the backup with Napoli splitting time at 1B/DH with Young and Moreland.

Add Moreland to the depth chart for RF, he'll get a couple starts out there.

Treanor will be the backup with Napoli splitting time at 1B/DH with Young and Moreland.

Certainly wouldn't surprise me at all if Treanor were on the major league roster, but, Napoli won't catch at all? That seems unlikely.

You're wrong about the catcher starts. The Rangers' front office likes Treanor and values catcher defense. Treanor will be the backup with Napoli splitting time at 1B/DH with Young and Moreland.

Add Moreland to the depth chart for RF, he'll get a couple starts out there.

I think things are a lot more in question than you're giving credit. I think that play during the season is ultimately going to dictate a lot of this.

We'll see what happens with Treanor, I could see him being #2 on the depth chart, but his defense isn't anything to write home about. He's a pretty pedestrian defender, he's just worse as a hitter. I hope a couple of big hits in the playoffs haven't made the Rangers brass think he's anything more than a replacement level player that should be only playing when absolutely necessary.

I also would expect any OF starts Moreland gets to be in LF.

Moreland might start a few away games in left, but you need a rangier guy in Arlington's left field. Treanor's pedestrian defense is a lot better than Napoli's, but the way Wash and the front office praised Treanor last year would make me surprised if he isn't clearly the no. 2 all year. They basically said he was in remarks after the trade for Napoli.

Treanor will be the backup with Napoli splitting time at 1B/DH with Young and Moreland.

I sincerely hope this is wrong. Treanor doesn't deserve to be on this roster right now.

It's fine, even sensible, to wish for a better backup than Treanor, but it simply is not going to be Napoli.