Predicting Shohei Ohtani Fit in Texas Rangers Lineup
The Texas Rangers aren’t considered the favorites to sign Shohei Ohtani, but the world champs are in the mix.
The sweepstakes for the generational two-way talent may be decided by the Winter Meetings next month, so until next month, so until then speculation will run wild. At least one member of the ESPN’s panel of baseball experts is expecting Ohtani to relocate with the American League West.
David Schoenfield predicts the Los Angeles Angels free agent signs with Texas and dreams about the batting order.
Look, we don't know yet if Ray Davis is the type of owner to push the pedal to the metal and go even higher on his payroll, but I just wanted to type out this potential lineup:
2B Marcus Semien
SS Corey Seager
DH Shohei Ohtani
RF Adolis Garcia
CF Evan Carter
3B Josh Jung
1B Nathaniel Lowe
C Jonah Heim
LF Wyatt Langford
This lineup assumes the Rangers move on from center fielder Leody Taveras and promote first-round pick Wyatt Langford.
That could be the first 1,000-run lineup since Cleveland in 1999.
The splash signing would send Texas into luxury tax territory in 2024, though nearly $34 million comes off the books with the probable losses of Martín Pérez, Brad Miller, Mitch Garver, Ian Kenned, Robbie Grossman and Jake Odorizzi.
Ohtani would join the rotation in 2025 – he won’t pitch next season – and the Rangers should have openings. Max Scherzer and Andrew Heaney are free agents after 2024, with Nathan Eovaldi having a vesting option.
The most powerful lineup in baseball plus a rebuilt pitching staff is the Ohtani lure. Whether he bites is anyone’s guess.
You can follow Art Garcia on Twitter @ArtGarcia92.
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